Barksdale welcomes new SARC

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Jason McCasland
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  Barksdale recently welcomed a new permanent sexual assault response coordinator responsible for ensuring the integration and coordination of sexual assault victim care services, collaboration with community agencies and prevention education.

The new program manager, Sandra Browne, is a licensed professional counselor with a master's degree in psychology and has more than 19 years civil service experience in prevention, counseling and management.

"Since the SAPR stand down, [SARCs] have made changes to how we conduct business," said Browne. "Every installation will begin to see a permanent government service employee as their new SARC. This will help keep continuity without the loss of SARC directors due to permanent changes of station, and also allow us to build a better rapport with people who come in."

The SARC, located at the Airmen and Family Readiness Center room 215, provides many services. According to Browne, a primary focus of the office is to inform and educate Barksdale Airmen about sexual assault.

"A major goal of the program is to promote a cultural shift in the military," said Browne. "Offenders make up less than five percent of the population, so it's up to the other 95 percent to be ready to assist when risky situations occur. Taking care of your wingmen includes helping them avoid a possible sexual assault by an acquaintance, since seven out of 10 sexual assaults occur between people who know one another. Its up to everyone to make a difference."

Educating Airmen is not just a job to Browne, it's a passion. Since receiving her masters in psychology in 1988 she has dedicated herself to helping others.

"Helping others is part of my DNA," Browne said. "I was able to turn the gift of helping others into a career by completing my master's and becoming a Licensed Professional Counselor. As the military became more aware of the issues of sexual assault in its ranks, more people began seeking assistance for the trauma associated with it and I wanted to be part of the movement for a positive change."

As the New Year and new SARC begin, Barksdale can expect some new goals from the office.

"As the first permanent civilian SARC at Barksdale, my initial goal is to review all the great work prior SARCs have accomplished and build on that foundation," Browne said. "My second goal is to continue preparations for the upcoming unit effectiveness inspection visit and finally, to formulate and execute a strategic plan for the office built on the DOD's lines of engagement of prevention, advocacy and deterrence."

Browne also went on to say, "First and foremost, I want to ensure survivors are being well-supported, and the Victim Advocates here are doing a great job taking care of individuals who have reported. Command is also spot-on regarding next steps and the way-ahead in winning the war against sexual assault."

While Barksdale's mission is to protect our nation and its global interests by providing devastating B-52 combat capability and unmatched expeditionary combat Airmen, our vision is to enable the mission through a Wingman culture that provides for Airmen and their families. The SARC office is another link in achieving mission success.

"The SARC's overall vision is to create and maintain a culture of dignity and respect, beginning at the fundamental level: by creating an environment where everyone can be respected, be free from harassment and have relationships where established boundaries are not crossed," Browne said. "For me, that's a basic value and when not honored, we as a society lose part of our humanity. Unit cohesiveness and effectiveness is impaired when incidents of sexual assault occur."

For military sexual assault victims, there are two reporting options.

Restricted reporting is a confidential reporting option that lifts some of the barriers that can deter military personnel from reporting sexual assault. It allows the assaulted person to receive medical, mental health and all other services without reporting the crime to command or law enforcement officials or initiating the military criminal justice process. Restricted reports can only be taken by health care providers (including counselors), victim advocates and sexual assault response coordinators.

Unrestricted reporting initiates a full investigation by security forces and the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and the assaulted person is reported to the command by name.

Sexual assault victims can call the 24/7 hotline at 456-7272 to report or to get help with a sexual assault.