SARC provides information during Sexual Assault Awareness Month Published Nov. 3, 2006 By Tech. Sgt. Mary Davis Public Affairs Vance Air Force Base, Okla. -- Getting help isn't a sign of weakness -- it's a sign of strength. Providing care for sexual assault victims and education for Team Vance is the focus of Sexual Assault Awareness Month, said Sheryl McMullen, Vance Sexual Assault Response coordinator. "People need to know there is a support system in place for sexual-assault victims," said Ms. McMullen. "Our main message is it's OK for victims to seek help." According to FBI statistics, every two minutes a woman is sexually assaulted in the United States. The majority of these assaults go unreported, the SARC said. "Many people are under the misconception that rape is a sex act instead of a crime of power and control," she explained. "When a person's car is stolen, the victim isn't ashamed to report that crime. Somehow our culture attached shame to rape, which is also a crime - a very personal crime." Victims now have the choice of restricted or unrestricted sexual-assault reporting. The Department of Defense implemented confidentiality in the form of a restricted-reporting option to enable victims to report allegations of sexual assault, receive access to medical care, counseling and assignment of a victim advocate, but will not initiate an investigation. Only base SARCs, healthcare providers and chaplains may receive restricted reports of sexual assault at any time. The only exceptions to the confidentiality are if the victim authorizes it in writing, there is imminent threat to health or safety, when ordered by the federal or state court system or if the victim discloses the assault to persons outside the sphere covered by the restricted-reporting policy. Unrestricted reporting occurs when a victim reports a sexual assault to anyone other than SARCs, healthcare providers or chaplains. Details of the allegation will be provided to people who have a legitimate need to know and an investigation will be initiated. What can victims do if they are sexually assaulted? Contact the SARC office right away. "We can clarify victims' options and get them the help they need immediately," Ms. McMullen said. "I can also assign a victim advocate to help them cope with the assault." Victim advocates receive more than 40 hours of training and are matched with victims to provide them with much-needed support. At this time, there are eight advocates trained and four attending training. Advocates focus on reconnecting victims with someone they can trust, while empowering victims and giving them techniques to have control over their lives again. Mary Loveless, a telecommunications specialist with the 71st Communications Squadron, is a victim's advocate at Vance. "I try not to focus about the incident unless a victim wants to," she explained. "Victims can talk to me about anything - work, family and their concerns. I try to get victims focused on any upcoming legal issues, prepare them emotionally and just be there for them at all times." Being a victim's advocate is rewarding for Mrs. Loveless, who listens with sympathetic ears and offers broad shoulders to cry on, she said. "Being a victim advocate has enriched my life," she said. "It's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done. I love helping people." People who have received a report of a sexual assault or are a victim of sexual assault can call the SARC hotline at 213-SARC.