Victim advocates support, assist survivors

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Mike Andriacco
  • 380th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs
SOUTHWEST ASIA (AFNS) --  A group of Airman from the 380th Air Expeditionary Wing at an air base in Southwest Asia stood up and volunteered to be victim advocates as their part to prevent sexual assaults in the Air Force.

Last year, Airmen throughout the Air Force reported more than 620 cases of sexual assault. There are two classes of reporting, restricted and unrestricted.

Restricted reporting allows a sexual assault victim to confidentially disclose the details of his or her assault to specified individuals and receive medical treatment and counseling, without triggering the official investigative process.

Unrestricted reporting is recommended for victims of sexual assault who desire medical treatment, counseling and an official investigation of the crime.

The first step in either case, once the sexual assault response coordinator is notified of a reported sexual assault, is to immediately assign a victim advocate to the case. The victim advocate will assist the survivor in making a determination about whether or not to receive a sexual assault forensic examination, as well as the pros and cons of making either a restricted or unrestricted report.

"As victim advocates we are not here to counsel or make things all better," said Senior Airman Kelly Lawrence, an explosive ordnance disposal technician in the 380th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron. "We are here to support, give direction and assist the victims in getting back in control of their life."

The victim advocates of the 380th AEW must attend 40 hours of training taught by the SARC and broken down into three components: foundations for helping, procedural education and applications.

Each of the 380th AEW victim advocates is a volunteer and all have different reasons for participating in the program.

"I made the decision to be a VA because I've helped with battered women and teenage counseling," said Staff Sgt. Tymika Logan, a vehicle management and analysis specialist with the 380th Expeditionary Logistics Readiness Squadron. "I enjoyed being a support in those areas and knew this would be the same type of needed support system."

Whatever their motivation for participating, the victim advocates are a critical part of the response to a sexual assault and are needed throughout the Air Force.

"Victim advocates are like guardian angels that have been armed with essential information, processes and resources that enable them to assist survivors of sexual assault," said Capt. Sherry Souriolle, the 380th AEW SARC. "Advocates remain by the survivor's side until they are no longer needed. They are a critical part of the sexual assault prevention and response team."

If an Airmen is interested in becoming a victim advocate and is active duty or on active status or a DOD civilian employee, he or she is encouraged to contact his or her local SARC for more information. Males and females are welcome. If anyone is aware of a sexual assault or is a victim, he or she should contact his or her local SARC immediately.  For more information, visit the new sexual assault prevention Web site at www.sapr.mil.

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