SARC Victim Advocate Melva Glaser - Here to be on your side

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Meet Melva Glaser, commander's secretary with the 33rd Flying Training Squadron. She is also a victim advocate with Vance's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program.

"When they started the program here at Vance they were asking for volunteers to be victim advocates," explained Ms. Glaser. "I felt like I could be helpful." 

Being a victim advocate is not just about the amount of time devoted to the survivor, but also to the quality of the relationship formed. 

"For me it was a mothering experience," said Ms. Glaser. "I know a lot of people might come here from broken families and don't feel they have anyone to turn to. Everybody needs somebody when they're going through something like that. Someone who is on their side." 

Advocates provide empathy and understanding to survivors, allowing them to find a voice for their experiences. 

"My main motivation is to protect the victims. Sexual assault is still a big problem, but people don't talk about it. So they don't do anything about it," said Ms. Glaser. "I think that being someone a survivor can talk to, someone who will listen, is the first step towards a solution."