PATRICK AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. –
It’s a difficult topic of discussion. It’s uncomfortable for the victim, and it’s uncomfortable for those who provide assistance to those affected.
But as the former Air Force Vice Chief of Staff Gen. Larry O. Spencer said in 2015, “It we don’t talk about it, we can’t fix it.”
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and is recognized across the nation by both military and civilian communities. Raising awareness on such a sensitive topic offers an opportunity to build on well-established programs to ensure all service members are treated with dignity and respect. Additionally, it allows DoD organizations the chance to highlight current initiatives that specifically address prevention and response.
According to the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute, there is a strong connection between sexual harassment, gender discrimination and sexual assault. People in units with high morale and healthy, respectful work climates tend to experience fewer sexual assaults.
However, when a unit faces the unfortunate circumstance of a sexual assault, it has the potential of fracturing morale and creating an atmosphere of distrust.
That’s when victim advocates become a critical line of defense.
Kathy Querry, a sexual assault prevention and response volunteer victim advocate for Patrick AFB and employee at the Air Force Technical Applications Center, has been a DoD Sexual Assault Advocate-certified SAPR-VVA since October 2015. With 40 hours of scenario-based training, interactive role play and an additional 40+ hours of continuing education, she’s well-versed on this sensitive topic.
“Crisis intervention has two simple yet crucial actions: listening and helping,” she said. “No matter what the crisis or who’s involved, an advocate is there to do those two things. I don’t mean to minimize the seriousness of the situation, but this helps people understand what VVAs do. I think of myself as a sort of ‘sexual assault concierge.’ My job is to get you back on track again, help you with any of your immediate needs, coordinate appointments, put you in touch with the right people, and basically be a shoulder to lean on.”
Querry is one of 13 trained victim advocates for the 45th Space Wing. It’s a role she takes very seriously.
“Being an advocate is a job for a person who truly wants to be there for another human being – someone who may be at the very lowest point in their entire life. You must be able to provide a non-judgmental safe place for them to feel comfortable and afford them the privacy and confidentiality that comes with being a victim advocate.”
She added, “Knowing I was the voice for a victim, and realizing I was able to help them through the process was inwardly rewarding. Being able to see them achieve closure to a chapter in their lives that was grueling and painful is the motivation I get to continue to serve as an advocate. I try to educate everyone I can about the program and encourage them to become part of the solution and part of the process. It’s very humbling.”
For more information about the program or how to become a victim advocate, call the Patrick AFB SAPR office at (321) 494-7272. If you feel you are a victim of a sexual assault, call the 24-hour Victim Services of Brevard hotline at (321) 784-4357 (HELP).
Visit http://www.patrick.af.mil/About-Us/Sexual-Assault-Prevention-and-Response-SAPR-Program for specific reporting options, to include unrestricted, restricted and independent reports.