SARC provides training, victim response

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Janine Thibault
  • 354th Fighter Wing Public affairs
EIELSON AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska --  Victims of sexual assault often feel powerless, but it is the goal of the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator to give them the help they need to regain their sense of power.

Pacific Air Forces recently recognized Eielson's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program for their contributions in 2010.

"It's kind of hard to say what the number one (contribution we made) is, our number one (goal) is to make sure the victim is taken care of. That's what people recognize on base -- the outreach side," said the former SARC, Capt. Richard Laca, 354th Force Support Squadron operations officer.

"In many other jobs it's all about the numbers. However, we don't look at quantity, it's a completely different type of job," said Captain Laca.

In the last Operational Readiness Inspection, the inspector noted the SARC team's response to a sexual assault inject was "expertly conducted." The team provided expertise, took care of the victim and met the victim's needs.

According to Lt. Ashleigh Aanerud, Eielson's current SARC, the outreach and preventative role is very important on base. Members need to know what signs to look for, and be able to step into an escalating situation, when appropriate.

"Sexual assault is not a crime of passion; it's a violent crime of control and dominance. It's a slow and painful process, but our goal in the SARC office is to help a victim take control back of their life--because control is what was taken from them during the assault," said Lieutenant Aanerud.

Anyone in need of assistance should start with the SARC first, and then the SARC can provide that person with a victim advocate if appropriate. At Eielson, the SARC and SARC assistant schedule and train personnel throughout the wing to serve as victim advocates.

According to Daniel Jones, SARC assistant, while the roles are different, the SARC and VAs have the same goal. The SARC ensures the victim can get the care they need while the victim advocates lend an ear to the victim for support. Together these acts can change a victim's outlook on their situation.

"The Air Force cares. If people are not mentally prepared to do their job, it can have a catastrophic affect on the mission as well as themselves and others," said Lieutenant Aanerud.

The SARC and victim advocates are part of a process that helps members of the Eielson community overcome issues brought on by sexual assault thereby helping the victim regain control. For more information or to speak with the SARC, call 377-7272.