First deployed SARC stationed at Manas

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Lisa Polarek
  • 376TH AEW PUBLIC AFFAIRS
MANAS AIR BASE, Kyrgyzstan (AFPN) --  In the continuing effort to ensure that deployed Airmen are as well taken care of as their home station counterparts, the Air Force recently deployed its first sexual assault response coordinator here. 

The effort is part of the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program drive to have a SARC at all deployed locations -- not just stateside locations. 

First Lieutenant Charles Stephan, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing SARC and a manpower officer, originally volunteered to be Bolling Air Force Base’s victim assault program coordinator, which was the predecessor to the current program. 

“It mirrored the Sexual Assault and Prevention program except for the restrictive reporting,” Lieutenant Stephan said. 

The SAPR program, which stood up June of this year, added the restrictive reporting option that provides victims an avenue to report sexual assault in a confidential manner without notifying the chain of command or office of special investigations. 

Because of this confidentiality, Lieutenant Stephan said it is possible there could be a spike in the number of reported assaults. 

“Keep in mind that 83 percent of assaults go unreported,” said Lieutenant Stephan. 

In 2004, there were 1,700 sexual assaults in DoD; 725 in the Army; 456 in the Air Force; 368 in the Navy, and 151 in the Marine Corps; 10 occurred within the central command area. 

Per Air Force policy, sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. 

Lieutenant Stephan is responsible for setting up a program available to support victims at all times. He ensures military members understand what avenues are available if something happens to them and he manages the victim’s care and case management until the person is reassigned temporarily or permanently from the duty station. 

Lieutenant Stephan said he would normally supervise victim advocates, who act as a single point of contact for victims, but there’s not enough time in the AOR to conduct training for that position so he fills both requirements. 

As a victim advocate, he helps by providing a support system for the victim, acts as a liaison for referral services, makes necessary appointments with medical or legal staffs and continues with those services for as long as needed. 

“They (victim advocates) take the stress off of the victims by (keeping them from) having to worry about the logistical stuff,” said Lieutenant Stephan. 

He said the reason he volunteered for the SARC and the earlier program is because he believes in it. He said he has had friends who have been assaulted and he wants to help other victims in any way possible. 

One of the first things he has to accomplish here is to have everyone see the chief of staff-directed SARC video by Nov. 1. After that, Lieutenant Stephan will send reminders to let people know he is here and available if anyone needs his assistance.
While he is here and ready to assist, Lieutenant Stephan is hopeful that he won’t have to. 

“We have a great team of professionals here,” said Col. John Hurdle, 376th Air Expeditionary Wing vice commander. “I have complete confidence that each and every person will stay focused on what needs to be done to accomplish the mission, have fun while they are here and treat each other with respect.” 

For more information on the SAPR program, visit www.sapr.mil.