SARC program changes on horizon with new coordinator Published Jan. 10, 2011 By Connie Hempel 17th Training Wing Public Affairs GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Increasing sexual assault awareness and education around the wing is one goal the new Sexual Assault and Response Coordinator, Donna Casey, said she set for her team as she took the reins of SARC this month. Although the wing has had a great program in the past, Mrs. Casey said an increase in the number of personnel working in the wing's SARC program from one person to three will enable the program to be more visual around the wing and boost the focus of prevention. Joined by Mrs. Casey are Kim Walters and Lori Matus. One way the team hopes to increase prevention awareness is by providing education on bystander intervention. "A bystander can prevent a sexual assault before it even happens," Mrs. Casey said. "Sixty percent of sexual assaults reported each year could have been prevented if a bystander had stepped in." Mrs. Casey's vision of bystander intervention for the wing coincides with the Air Force's vision of sexual assault awareness too. Most servicemembers may be familiar with the annual mandatory sexual assault briefing, however, Air Force officials replaced this briefing last year with bystander intervention training, which all servicemembers must have by June 2012. This new training focuses on prevention and is tailored to three different audiences: leadership, men and women. The training is designed to teach people the signs to watch for and what to do to prevent an assault before it happens. She assures us that the bystander training and her other briefings won't be the run-of-the-mill slideshow. A strong believer in active learning, Mrs. Casey said she makes her briefings interactive and fun by adding games and giveaways. Other avenues the SARC office will use to increase prevention and awareness include posting "stall talks" where different sexual assault prevention tips will be posted in restrooms. The group of three will also be more visual around the base as they are able to divide and be present at more squadron functions as well as hold outreach tables at each dining facility. "By getting out there and going to as many squadron events as possible, it will help people feel comfortable with us so they won't be hesitant to contact us if something happens to them or to one of their friends," Mrs. Casey said. Another idea she has in the works is building a support system within the student population in the dorms. By having a few students as a SARC voice in the dorms, they can promote sexual assault prevention and awareness, and provide students with correct information. She believes another benefit to having a student support system is that other students will feel less intimidated to report an assault since they would be talking to their peers. "They can also teach their friends what to look for and how to lookout for each other," she said. Victim advocate volunteers will also see a change with helping victims. Previously, each service on base had specific advocates assigned to them. Now, the group of volunteers will be able to help anyone regardless of the victim's branch of service. "We are all going to take care of each other because it's supposed to be about the victim no matter what branch they're in," she said. Last year, there were 23 sexual assault reports on Goodfellow; up more than 100 percent from the previous year. Mrs. Casey said that although that's a huge increase, she's glad that people are using the reporting system because they're getting the help that they need. She said this increase is thanks in part to the change in reporting procedures as some victims may be hesitant to report an assault for fear of law enforcement involvement. But with two reporting avenues - restricted and unrestricted reporting - victims have the option of whether or not law enforcement personnel will be involved. Unrestricted reporting is with law enforcement involvement and restricted reporting does not notify law enforcement. For more information on the SARC program or to volunteer to become a victim advocate, call the SARC office at (325) 654-1571, 1572 or 1573. Those who need to report a sexual assault should call the SARC hotline 24/7 at (325) 654-1570.
