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