SARC helps deployed servicemembers respond to crisis

Published March 24, 2008
By Senior Airman Carolyn Viss
379th Air Expeditionary Wing Public Affairs

SOUTHWEST ASIA -- Many people may think that because they're deployed, with a three-drink-a-night limit on alcohol and General Order-1 applying to their interactions with members of the opposite sex, assault is not a possibility.

Not so, says the 379th Air Expeditionary Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, who is in Southwest Asia to not only respond to but also help prevent incidents here. She is taking advantage of April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, to educate the populace about sexual assault.

"Because of the culturally diverse environment, it's important for people to know what is and is not acceptable and how to handle any situations that may arise," said Capt. Meredith Ortiz. "We want to raise awareness and cultural understanding so that people know which interactions are OK and which are sending the wrong message."

By "we," Captain Ortiz is referring to a whole team of people from the legal office, office of special investigations, mental health, the medical group, equal opportunity, and security forces, who meet together monthly to talk about the effect sexual assault has on all aspects of Airmen's lives.

"What some people don't realize is that it's not just females who are victims," she said. "Although the percentage of males who report is lower than the percentage of females who report, sexual assault against males does occur and men need to know they can get help from a number of different resources."

Another thing the prior-enlisted mother of three added is that the Air Force encourages everyone to report sexual assault, and now victims can do so without delving into too much detail.

"In June of '05, a law was passed that allowed restricted reporting," said Captain Ortiz, who is stationed at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs, Colo. "This was a historical move, because it puts the choice in the hands of the victim as to whether or not they would like to open up an investigation against the perpetrator. Even if they don't, we have agencies available 24/7 to help them recover from the incident."

Although the number of assaults that occur here is lower than some U.S. bases, "any time you put people in close proximity with each other, you will have some people making unwise choices," she said. "What we want to do is be proactive, not reactive, and do as much in the way of prevention as we possibly can."

She has 16 victim advocates helping her help Airmen.

One of those, Master Sgt. Scott Ward, who has three daughters and has been a victim advocate since 2005, said even though no one close to him has suffered from a sexual assault he thinks anyone with a genuine desire to help prevent this crime can save a potential victim.

"We need to dispel the myth that sexual assault is solely a women's issue," the deployed sergeant from Peterson Air Force Base, Colo., said. "I believe it to be a societal issue that we all must work together to prevent. If more men come forward and confront inappropriate behavior, as opposed to just doing the simple thing and ignoring it, we can begin to build a culture of responsible wingmen who are ready to intervene and prevent sexual assault before it occurs."

A wingman must not be afraid to intervene when something doesn't seem right, he added. We owe it to each other to intervene even when it is uncomfortable to do so. As a former "additional duty" first sergeant, he's dealt with a gamut of situations and had hours upon hours of training that qualifies him well for this sort of position.

"Every potential victim is someone's son or daughter, brother or sister, husband or wife," Sergeant Ward said. "Always act responsibly and try to imagine what the other person is thinking and feeling. [Ask yourself], 'If the potential victim was my son or daughter would I want a bystander to do nothing?' If we all work together we can create a safer environment in which potential perpetrators are less willing to risk committing the crime of sexual assault."

** If you or someone you know has or does become the victim of a sexual assault, a team is standing by to help. Report "restricted" or "not restricted" by calling 437-SARC 24/7.**