LACKLAND AIR FORCE BASE, Texas –
The Lackland Sexual Assault Response office needs victim advocate volunteers to help sexual assault victims.
Victim advocates are trained military personnel and Department of Defense civilian employees who work with the sexual assault response coordinator to provide essential support, liaison services and care to victims of a sexual assault. All volunteers must complete 40 hours of training.
Capt. Kimberly Thomas, deputy SARC for Lackland, said VAs are critical to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Outreach program.
"Without the volunteers, there would be no program. They are the backbone to our program, they are the ones who respond, and follow victims throughout their treatment if they want support."
VAs provide support according to Air Force Instruction 36-6001, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Section 5.2. They ensure victims receive the necessary care and support until the victim states, or the SARC determines, support is no longer needed.
VA responsibilities include providing crisis intervention, referral and ongoing non-clinical support, providing information on available options and resources to assist the victim in making informed decisions about the case. They do not provide counseling or other professional services.
Captain Thomas said VAs are on call 24 hours a day, for a week at a time, every 4 to 6 weeks. "They offer training support and they provide crisis intervention as well as ongoing non-clinical support," she said.
VAs may accompany the victim, at the victim's request, during medical examinations and interviews with medical personnel, law enforcement, investigators, trial counsel and defense counsel.
Because of the important role VAs serve, Captain Thomas said her office looks for volunteers who are reliable and sensitive to sexual assault victim needs.
Active-duty military, Reserve or National Guard personnel in active status and DOD civilian employees are eligible to become a VA. Reservists assigned to the military training flight may serve as VAs only if they are assigned to a reserve medical squadron and have no patient-related duties.
Because of the potential for legal, professional or community conflicts of interest, some military members are not eligible to serve as VAs. Those ineligible include people on G-series orders, first sergeants, chief master sergeants, individuals associated with law enforcement or investigations, individuals assigned to the office of the staff judge advocate, military training flight personnel working in clinical roles with whom assault victims may come in contact, individuals assigned to equal opportunity offices, individuals assigned to the chaplain's office, or individuals assigned to the wing's inspector general staff.
The SARC will determine if any VA has, or develops, a conflict of interest and will reassign accordingly. If interested in becoming a VA, contact the SAPO office at 671-7273.
(Courtesy 502nd ABW SAPO Office)