Help wanted - must be willing to advocate

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 501st Combat Support Wing Public Affairs
RAF ALCONBURY, United Kingdom --  When a person's been sexually assaulted someone needs to stand up and be that person's wingman, friend and confidant during a long, hard and painful process. That person needs an advocate.

The 501st Combat Support Wing recently certified 14 people to become victim advocates for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. They will now advocate for personnel assigned to the 501st CSW and its mission partners located across the United Kingdom and Norway.

"Victim advocates really are the heart and soul of the SAPR program," said Col. Jeffrey Yocum, 501st CSW vice commander. "They are the person most likely to respond and they have the greatest opportunity to provide immediate help to that person in need."

To officially volunteer to be a victim advocate, a person must be recommended by their command and receive 40 hours of training from the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. However, Tech. Sgt. Rashida Casey-Reynolds, a five year victim advocate veteran, believes one other element is essential for the job.

"There has to be a desire to want to do this," Casey-Reynolds said. "We need people who will come in with an open mind, be willing to step outside their comfort zone and have an open heart. We want people there who want to help."

Since coming to the 501st CSW, Yocum has seen the SAPR Program and its victim advocates make a difference in raising awareness of sexual assault.

"There is tremendous support at all levels of the organization for the SAPR program - from the wing commander - to the squadrons - to the first sergeants - to the first responders; wherever you look, there is a clear level of emphasis about understanding what needs to be done," Yocum said. "This wing gets it. There has been no difficulty getting people to understand the importance of this program or finding volunteers willing to be part of it."

The victim advocate program isn't just a 501st thing; it's a Department of Defense program.

"It takes a joint effort to take care of our community," Yocum said. "It's encouraging and uplifting to see how people want to be a part of this very important team. It doesn't matter what uniform you wear - the program exists to do whatever it takes to support those in need."

For one Sailor assigned to a 501st CSW mission partner, the training was an eye opening experience.

"I knew the typical information given about assaults before this, but I had no idea about the frequency they have occurred and the stereotypes victims go through," said Navy Petty Officer 3rd Class Stephanie Fisher. "I don't think a day will go by now without me thinking about this."

While the goal of the SAPR Program and its victim advocates is to eliminate sexual assault, there is an element of reality to how difficult that goal can be.

"If we want to eliminate this crime from our ranks, our emphasis needs to continue moving from response to prevention," Yocum said. "The program will always be there to take care of victims - but ideally, we're getting at the problem before acts occur.

"We need you to be a friend - a wingman - not a bystander," Yocum said. "Everyone plays a part in preventing this."

If you are interested in becoming a victim advocate, contact Dave Spencer at 268-3832.