SARC Victim advocate Capt. Tara Erlandson - Here to be your support system

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Lynn Aird
  • 71st Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
VANCE AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. --  Meet Capt. Tara Erlandson, a T-1 Jayhawk instructor pilot with the 32nd Flying Training Squadron at Vance. She is also a victim advocate with Vance's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program. 

"Originally when I was stationed at Charleston AFB, I wanted to become a victim advocate there with their program, but due to the Ops tempo I wasn't able to stick around for the training," explained Captain Erlandson. "As soon as I got to Vance, they didn't have anyone in the 32nd who was active duty and able to do the victim advocate role. I volunteered for that so that we could have someone in the squadron." 

Vance currently has eight fully certified volunteers who serve as victim advocates, and several others undergoing the training process. Volunteers must participate in over 40 hours of training beforehand, as well as attending refresher training courses after certification to expand their knowledge and improve their skills. 

"There are only a handful of us, and only three of us are active duty military," said Captain Erlandson. "I wanted to provide the military side of the house -- be someone who works in the environment of the majority of the people on this base." 

As of March 2009 Vance has 356 enlisted personnel and 878 officers, 571 of which are student pilots. 

"Most people on the base are young officers. I felt I would be able to relate to their work environment and, if they were a victim, that I would have an understanding of the stresses that come with their everyday life and what they would have to face while trying to cope," said Captain Erlandson. 

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

"I'm just a support system as a victim advocate, someone for them to lean on if they're having issues," said Captain Erlandson. "The program helps people to recover, and also helps prevention methods because we're better educated and are able to provide more information." 

The SAPR program was introduced by the Department of Defense in 2005. The Department implemented a comprehensive policy to ensure the safety, dignity and well-being of all members of the Armed Forces. 

"Any other job probably wouldn't have a service like this available through work," said Captain Erladnson. "I think it's great that the military is willing and able to put the time and effort in to training people for this and raising awareness."