SAPR offers services, support
By Airman 1st Class Beaux Hebert, 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
/ Published April 14, 2017
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. -- The U.S. Air Force has made a commitment to end all sexual
assaults through awareness and prevention, training and education,
victim advocacy, response, reporting and accountability. Columbus
Air Force Base, Mississippi supports that commitment through the
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.
The Columbus SAPR Office offers many services to those affected
by sexual assault including SAPR hotlines, restricted and unrestricted
reporting options, special victims counsel and medical care,
all without reprisal.
There are many phone numbers that victims can call to report a
sexual assault. The Columbus SARC hotline is (662) 364-0822 and
there will always be someone there to help guide a victim through
the reporting process.
Restricted and unrestricted reporting options give the victim the
ability to choose whether they want to make a case or not.
If the restricted option is chosen then a Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator or victim advocate, and health care provider are the
only people notified. The command will not be notified. The SARC
or VA will help guide the victim to counseling. An unrestricted reporting
option can be opened later but once the victim switches
they cannot go back to restricted. They also receive legal help from
the Special Victims’ Counsel, an organization that bases their operations out of D.C. and do not fall under a chain of command in
Columbus.
The unrestricted process is very similar to the restricted except
the command is notified and an investigation will be initiated.
Dr. Marcia Stewart, SAPR Program Manager, and Carla Neal-
Bush, SAPR Victim Advocate, make it their goal to always be
smiling and boosting morale at community events. They want to
be approachable and let everyone know that no matter what the
situation, they will always do their best to help in any way they can.
“The attitude of the SAPR Program manager, SARC and VA has
a great impact on the instillation,” Stewart said. “If we give good
vibes and are approachable, people won’t have a problem coming
to us.”
The Columbus SAPR Office highly believes the “team work
makes the dream work”. Stewart and Neal-Bush said they always
work together to help victims get the help they need.
“It like I always say,” said Stewart. “Team work makes the dream
work.”