Victim’s advocate guided by early life experience

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Frank Casciotta
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  While in middle school, Rachael Stone's friend was raped. Neither she nor her friend knew what to do.

The friend ended up taking a bath and keeping the rape a secret. The experience inspired Stone to take a stand against sexual crimes. She now serves as one of Vance AFB's newest sexual assault victim's advocates.

"Being a victim's advocate is something I have strong convictions about," said Stone, now an Air Force captain and instructor pilot with the 32nd Flying Training Squadron here. "I've had a lot of experience in dealing with friends and family members affected by sexual assault, and I'd like to be able to help as much as I can."

Stone received her victim's advocate certificate from Col. Roger Witek, the 71st Flying Training Wing vice commander, during a ceremony held in the SAPR office March 19.

A very close family member has a history of sexual abuse within the family, and was never taught that it was OK to stand up and say, "This is not right," and go to the police, said Stone.

"I don't want to see things like that happen to people," said Stone. "I want to help them by being there for them and letting them know what their options are following an assault," said Stone.

The Sexual Assault Prevention & Response office at Vance AFB hosts events like dinners and self defense classes to spread awareness about the program and arm Airmen with knowledge and skills to prevent sexual assault.

"I have learned a lot from this program," said Stone. "I believe every female should go through the target-hardening self-defense class. I hope to be an instructor soon."

While serving as an instructor pilot for almost two years here, Stone has seen a number of Airmen join Team Vance. One of her concerns is how new Airmen can run into a problem and not know who to talk to about it.

"A lot of new Airmen here don't have family and friends they can lean on," said Stone. "It's good for them to know they have the support of the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and the chaplains."

One of the SAPR goals at Vance AFB is to have at least one victim's advocate in each squadron on base in order to put a face on the program to make it easier for victims and witnesses to talk with someone, said Terri Presa, the SARC here.

Stone believes she can be one of these people and has faith in the support structure at Vance AFB.

"I think a lot of people are afraid to say anything because they believe there will be repercussions," said Stone. "But I can say with confidence, there won't be.

"Our senior leadership is adamantly against any kind of sexual abuse and is totally supportive of the SAPR program," said Stone. "They will stand up and do exactly what needs to be done."

Stone would like to fly refueling aircraft for her next Air Force assignment. "I love flying," she said. "I want to fly KC-135 (Stratotankers) overseas somewhere to see the world and experience new things."