JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Tiffany Mizzell, Naval Weapons Station Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, was recently recognized, along with nine other SARCS, for her outstanding performance in a ceremony held at the headquarters for Commander, Navy Installations Command in Washington, D.C.
Nominations for the awards are submitted from Navy regions across the CNIC enterprise to CNIC headquarters, where the winning selection is made. The winner is forwarded to the Office of Secretary of Defense where the final approval is made.
Nominations are based on criteria such as, but not limited to, what the awardee has accomplished on behalf of the service members and sexual assault victims and how their actions helped shape and influence policies, practices and attitudes for victim services.
The 2014 Navy Exceptional SARC of the Year was Shannon Moyer from Naval Air Station Lemoore, Calif.
The ceremony was part of an annual four-day training event held for SARCs representing commands from across the shore enterprise.
Commander, Navy Installations Command Vice Adm. William French presented the awardees with command coins and praised the coordinators and their teams for a job well done.
"I certainly appreciate what you do every day," said French. "You are making a big difference and I am honored to be able to participate in this recognition ceremony for these deserving people."
Sexual Assault Response Coordinators are considered the front line representatives when it comes to ensuring that victims of a sexual assault receive appropriate and responsive care.
Working to support Sailors around the world, SARCs manage the more than 4,000 victim advocates during the performance of advocacy duties, have oversight of all sexual assault cases for their commands, assign a victim advocate to each case, conduct sexual assault case management, and oversee training and education for victim advocates and the community.
French emphasized the importance of the role of SARCs in the Navy and their contributions to promoting a safe and healthy work environment.
"The impact you have had is visible in the results that we are seeing," French said. "I feel fortunate to be able to work with all the folks on a daily basis who make all the good things happen."
The other 2014 nominees for the Navy included:
- Fernando Meave (former SARC of Naval Base Guam)
- Elizabeth Blanc (Naval District Washington)
- Lori Walsh (Naval Base Coronado, Calif.)
- Katie Robinson (Naval Station Great Lakes, Ill.)
- Tiffany Mizzell (Naval Weapons Station Charleston, S.C.)
- Seletha Jones-Willis (San Antonio, Texas)
- Tina Vaughn (Naval Air Station Jacksonville, Fla.)
- Pat Kapitan (Naval Air Station Corpus Christi, Texas)
- Toni Genovese (Naval Weapons Station Earle, N.J.)
For more information on the Navy's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program visit https://www.cnic.navy.mil/ffr/family_readiness/fleet_and_family_support_program/sexual_assault_prevention_and_response.html