U.S. NAVAL AIR STATION JOINT RESERVE BASE FORT WORTH, Texas -- April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month! As SAPR program members and victim advocates, we’d like to take this opportunity to explain a little more about sexual assault victim advocacy, the duties we perform and how to get involved if you’d like serve others in this capacity.
What is a Victim Advocate/Volunteer Victim Advocate (or VA for short)?
A VA’s primary role is to ensure and facilitate for victims of sexual assault: access to essential support services, knowledge of relevant reporting options/regulations/investigative services, and safety and security in times of acute crisis. VAs combine their knowledge of community/wing resources, SAPR program guidelines, advocacy and empathy training, and DOD/AF regulations to support victims with knowledge, empowerment and access to support services on their road to recovery. Additionally, program VAs facilitate prevention programs, training and program advocacy through wing and community outreach and education. The bottom line is VAs help victims cope with the stress and trauma that follows a sexual assault.
Why become a SAPR Victim Advocate?
This role is simply about having a passion for helping people and confronting the scourge of sexual violence. The simple fact – this job remains in demand, and as long as sexual violence exists, the Air Force will need passionate, energetic and empathetic VAs. If this sounds like you, then consider becoming a Volunteer VA! Volunteer VAs are wing members (civilian GS-7 and up, or military E-4 and up) who – on a volunteer to basis – can be assigned a victim advocacy case. Being a VVA is an additional duty which should not impact primary duties, comes with a nationally recognized advocacy credential, and has some annual training requirements. If you’re interested in joining this rewarding and critical program, get permission through your immediate chain of command and then contact the SAPR office for additional details about joining.
Thank you for taking your time to read this article. The SAPR program, and its victim advocates, are proud to be on the vanguard of taking on this generational challenge of eradicating sexual violence. We know that progress on deeply engrained social problems is slow and incremental, but every day we see positive signs of change. Thank you ahead of time for wanting to be a part of this positive change. Thank you for committing to a culture of unambiguous consent and finally, thank you for your service and for being a part of the world’s greatest Air Force!
- Your 301st FW SAPR Victim Advocates
Get to know us, and come say hi any time!
Laura Loftin (Sexual Assault Response Coordinator)
Lt. Col. Jason Elmore (VA) Maj. Jeremy Mabry (VA)
Anthony Johnson (VVA) William Judge (VVA)
Vickie Spence (VVA) Rachel Brandt-Hickey (VVA)
Christina Sadberry (VVA) Lindsay Jeffries (VVA)
Amy Romero (VVA) Kayla Myers (VVA)
Elvira Gonzalez (VVA) Kimberly Morgan (RSL/Alternate SARC)
For more SAPR information, please check out this link: https://www.resilience.af.mil/SAPR/