SARC helps sexual assault Published April 29, 2011 By Nick Stubbs 6th Air Mobility Wing Public Affairs MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- Staci Vileta, a sexual assault response coordinator at MacDill, is frequently asked why she signed up for the job and if she enjoys it. She prefers to answer the first part of the question by noting she knows survivors of sexual assault - family members, close friends and members of the various military branches. The answer to the second part has to wait, as what SARC is all about and how those in need can access the support it offers is more important. While the problem of sexual assault is prevalent throughout society, it's much greater in the military, she said. Statistically, one out of every six women will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime, she said. For men, it's one in 33. For military members, one in three women will experience sexual assault. One in six military men is impacted. "Think of all the (military) people you know," said Ms. Vileta. "If you know more than three women and more than six men, you know survivors." Many go their entire lives without telling anyone they were victimized, but others confide in friends or family members before they contact a professional like Ms. Vileta. Servicemembers need to understand the procedures and options for dealing with an assault - not only to assist others, but perhaps themselves some day, Ms. Vileta said. When an assault occurs Restricted reporting: For military members (active duty, guard and reserve), there are two options: restricted and unrestricted. The restricted reporting option is confidential. No one in your chain of command or law enforcement is told about the assault. It's designed to ensure victims who might otherwise suffer in silence have access to medical care, counseling, advocacy and support. You can make a restricted report directly to a SARC, 813-828-SARC, or through a victim advocate, medical provider, or chaplain. Unrestricted reporting: This option triggers an investigation and command notification. Research shows most offenders are repeat offenders. The unrestricted report gives you an opportunity to try to hold the offender accountable and hopefully prevent them from hurting anyone else. To make an unrestricted report, you can contact a SARC, someone in law enforcement, or someone in your chain of command. Non-military victims: For family members and civilians, the unrestricted reporting option is the only option through the military. There are, however, options outside the military. For civilians who want confidentiality, or for military members looking for another option, the Crisis Center of Tampa Bay can be reached through any civilian phone by dialing 211. It's completely confidential, and not even the SARC is informed without the victim's permission. Recently, the Department of Defense partnered with the Rape, Abuse, and Incest National Network to launch the DoD Safe Helpline. RAINN runs this service and doesn't share any personally identifying information with DoD without the individual's permission. It has a hotline, as well as assistance through a Web site. The hotline number is 877-995-5247. The Web site is www.safehelpline.org So, does Ms. Vileta enjoy her work? If job satisfaction is the measure, then the answer is, yes, "most days I do," said Ms. Vileta, adding the seemingly contradictory wish that one day her job will go away. "I wish my job wasn't necessary, and I hope someday it isn't," Ms. Vileta said. "I can't make that happen on my own, however, and ask you to join me in looking for ways to end sexual violence in our community." That can be accomplished by intervening when a risky situation develops, looking out for yourselves and each other, and utilizing one of the options outlined above to help with the transition from sexual assault victim to sexual assault survivor.