SARC, VAs aid sexual assault victims Published Oct. 7, 2011 By Senior Airman David Carbajal 451st Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs KANDAHAR AIRFIELD, Afghanistan -- Post-traumatic stress disorder is a type of anxiety disorder, that can occur after one sees or experiences a traumatic event that involved the threat of injury or death. Not many would associate PTSD with sexual assault, but here at Kandahar Airfield, education is the greatest weapon. According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, studies show that 45 percent of female victims of sexual assault experience the same effects as PTSD. "Sexual assault can be a very traumatizing event for victims," said Capt. Sandra Defazio, Air Force Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for Afghanistan's Regional Command South, Southwest and West. "When these assaults happen, we are here to help." Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. "In our SARC program, our goal is to prevent the assaults from happening in the first place," said Defazio. "We do that with training." The training is focused on eliminating the opportunities of assault and ensuring everyone understands the consequences, said Defazio. "Ratings show that sexual assaults happen less frequently than at stateside locations, but if it happens, we have great support networks to get the victim the care they need quickly," said Defazio. As the SARC, Defazio trains and employs victim advocates at various units throughout the regional commands to assist sexual assault victims. "With so many Airmen in our regional commands, I rely heavily on the VAs to ensure the victims are taken care of," said Defazio. The victim advocates can be military personnel, Department of Defense civilians, or contractors who volunteer to facilitate care for victims. "Our victim advocates receive some excellent training so they are prepared if they are needed," she added. "The victim advocates work directly with the victims to explain how the assisting agencies can help and the reporting options." Sexual assault is one of the most underreported crimes in America and abroad, with about 60 percent of going untold, said Defazio. "We are not here to pressure the victim to report the assault," Defazio added. "Our concern is ensuring the victim is safe and that they know the resources that are available to them." For more information about the sexual assault prevention and response program, visit http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/sapr/index.asp. To volunteer as a victim advocate, call the SARC at DSN 318-420-2020.