SARCs now available for support

  • Published
LANGLEY AIR FORCE BASE, Va. (ACCNS) --  - Sexual assault response coordinators are now in place throughout the Air Force following centralized training and the implementation of the Department of Defense sexual assault policy.

DOD officials created the sexual assault response coordinator position to implement and manage the installation level Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. The coordinator will serve as the bases single point of contact for integrating and coordinating care and support for victims of sexual assaults.

The need for such a position was highlighted in the Air Combat Command Sexual Assault Assessment Teams report. That report, which was released in December, stated there was an impression more sexual assaults were occurring in the command than being reported. One of the teams recommendations for improvement was to establish a climate where sexual assault victims are confident they can report the crime to commanders and receive effective support.

Within Air Combat Command, 16 of 17 coordinators have been hired. An interim coordinator is in place at the final location and at several locations where newly-hired SARCs are transitioning from previous employers.

Both permanent and interim Air Force SARCs attended initial training from June 6 through 10 at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, where they trained in areas such as implementing sexual assault prevention and response programs, assisting sexual assault victims and training volunteer victim advocates, who will assist the SARCs.

Chief Master Sgt. Raymond Johnson, interim ACC SARC and ACC Directorate of Personnel chief of military equal opportunity, said the training was packed full of information.

Training was very comprehensive, said Chief Johnson. In addition to learning about new policies and procedures, the chief said SARCs also received a heavy dose of training in psychological concepts to better understand how to help victims of trauma.

Bernadette Hardy, Langley SARC, said the training was intense, but also very beneficial.

Training consisted of information for standing up the (sexual assault prevention and response) program, differences between restrictive and non-restrictive reporting and information on training victim advocates, she said.

Equipped with this training, coordinators stood up the Air Force Sexual Assault and Prevention Response Program June 14, and are the main points of contact for victims of sexual assaults at their respective bases.

SARCs give victims another avenue in addition to commanders, first sergeants, or law enforcement to report sexual assaults, Chief Johnson said. In addition to being a central point of contact for assaults, SARCs can also provide restricted reporting, which grants privacy for victims.

The restricted reporting option enables military members to report allegations of sexual assault without triggering an investigation. The victim is afforded access to medical care, counseling, and a victim advocate without initiating the investigative process.

Restricted reporting is there for people who need assistance, but who might not be ready to tell others about their situation, Ms. Hardy said. She explained restricted reporting can be used only if victims contact the SARC or trained victim advocate first.

The chief said he hopes the restricted reporting policy will encourage all those who have been assaulted to come forward.

The program gives (victims) someone to lean on, Ms. Hardy said. Were there to listen and thats the most important thing.