14th FTW Sexual Assault Victim Advocate (SAVA) needs volunteers

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Amanda Savannah
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  The 14th Flying Training Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Office is looking for victim advocates to be a part of the wing's SAPR Program.

Those interested in becoming a victim advocate need to contact Carla Neal-Bush, 14th FTW Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, for an application package and return the completed package to her by Dec. 5.

The package includes an application, requests information for a supervisor to complete, a background check request, a commander's recommendation request and more. After packages are received, there is a one-on-one interview with the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and SAVA. With their approval and a good background check, volunteers are scheduled for training.

Victim advocates are always needed to help within the program.

"We've had a few people express interest, but only one application has been returned," Neal-Bush said.

Victim advocates are important to the SAPR program as they provide victims an avenue they can report to, in addition to the SARC and SAVA. Like the SARC and SAVA, a victim can talk to a VA and keep their report restricted, meaning their command is not notified and no investigation is begun, until and unless the victim requests it.

"We need people that want to honestly participate in the program; we have good people but we're losing them," Neal-Bush said.

In addition to victim advocates supporting the wing's SAPR Program, is Neal-Bush's position as the SAVA. The Air Force recently added SAVAs to its SAPR Program, and victim advocates are now known as Volunteer Victim Advocates, or VVAs.

Before SAVAs were added to the program, the SARC would manage the base's SAPR program, with some assistance from victim advocates. Now, the SAVA is responsible for victim response and care, and the base's VVAs. The SAVA is the victim's main point of contact throughout their case's process.

"It just gives more continuity for victims, where it used to be there could be a military victim advocate that would have a victim, and then have to PCS in the middle of a case," said Daisy Jones-Brown, 14th FTW SARC.

Whether the SARC, SAVA or a VVA, Jones-Brown and Neal-Bush agreed assisting victims is their goal.

"We are a victim-centered program. When a victim walks into our office and they say, 'Hey I've been sexually violated in some sort of way,' we believe them," Jones-Brown said. "That's good enough for us. We are going to advocate and support that victim until they say they don't need our services anymore, or until disposition of their case. That's what we do. We're not investigators, we don't find the facts out, we're not legal. We are victim centered."

Which is just what they both said they enjoy about their jobs.

"I like to see victims turn into survivors," Jones-Brown said. "When something like this happens people tend to keep it bottled up. It's a relief, I think, once they can find a safe place to just get it out and talk about it. Sometimes we may not get to see the end process, but sometimes you get to see that growth."

"And that's the reward we get from it," Neal-Bush added.

The next VVA training is scheduled for 8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Jan. 26-30, 2015, in Bldg. 926, Rm. 213. This is a 40-hour training class and participants must attend all 40 hours to be eligible for certification.

People interested in becoming a VVA or those who are looking for more information can call 434-1329 or e-mail Neal-Bush at carla.neal_bush@us.af.mil.