CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Providing first-class care to a victim, regardless of where he or she is located, constitutes the core of the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program.
In order to provide consistent levels of care to victims, sexual assault response coordinators and victim advocates respond to assaults and ensure the appropriate level of care is provided to each victim. Heath care providers, law enforcement members, criminal investigators, judge advocates and chaplains also play significant roles in response.
SARCs manage each installation's sexual assault prevention and response program. They serve as the single point of contact to coordinate sexual assault victim care and tracking the services provided to the victim from initial report of a sexual assault through disposition and resolution of the victim's health and well-being.
While the SARC primarily provides management and oversight of victim care, the VA provides 24/7 direct response to victims. VAs assist victims in navigating the military's response network. They are not counselors, therapists or investigators; instead, they furnish accurate and comprehensive information on available options and resources so the victim can make informed decisions about their care and involvement in the investigative process.
Here are some useful things to remember if you become a victim of sexual assault:
· Go to a safe location away from the attacker.
· Preserve all evidence of the assault. Do not bathe, wash your hands or brush your teeth. Do not clean or straighten up the crime scene.
· Contact your local sexual assault response coordinator, victim advocate or healthcare provider.
· Seek medical care as soon as possible. Even if you do not have any visible physical injuries, you may be at risk of becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexually transmitted disease.
· Ask the healthcare provider to conduct a sexual assault forensic examination to preserve forensic evidence.
· If you suspect drugs were involved in the assault, request that a urine sample be collected.
· Write down, tape or record all the details you can recall about the assault and your assailant.
For more information, contact the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office at 963-7272.