Victim advocates give time, support

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Katherine Holt
  • 2nd Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  "There is truly no feeling to describe it," said Harmony Miscisin, Barksdale sexual assault victim advocate. "Every sexual assault victim I have helped, I've been able to watch grow into a stronger person. Knowing that I played even a small role in that is amazing."

VAs are active-duty military personnel and Department of Defense civilian employees selected by the base's sexual assault response coordinator to provide essential support, liaison services and care to a sexual assault victim.

"A VA is a personal support system for a victim of sexual assault," said Capt. Loren Hulen, Barksdale AFB Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. "They can do anything from attending counseling appointments with a victim, to just meeting up to talk over a cup of coffee. Many times, a victim just needs an outlet to talk about whatever is going on, with someone that can empathize and understand. A victim advocate is that outlet."

Barksdale currently has 28 active victim advocates.

"An ideal VA should have high levels of patience and understanding," said Miscisin. "Being a good listener and giving primary control of information flow is extremely important. It takes time to build trust in any situation, especially when a new relationship is being formed from a traumatic event like sexual assault. The focus should always remain on giving power back to the victim."

Responsibilities of a victim advocate include:

-- Providing crisis intervention, referral and ongoing non-clinical support.

-- Providing information on available options and resources to assist the victim in making informed decisions.

-- Continuing services until the victim states support is no longer needed.

-- Accompanying the victim, at their request, during investigative interviews and medical examinations.

"VAs are able to give their undivided attention to a victim," said Hulen. "VAs are available 24-7 and are essentially on the victim's schedule. It's important for a victim to know that they will have someone there to help them, no matter what or when."

Round-the-clock availability isn't the only thing it takes to be a VA. Hulen says VAs should understand what comes with the job.

"A VA should be someone who can handle not just their own personal life/schedule/emotions, but someone else's as well," said Hulen. "Listening to someone speak about their experiences with sexual assault can also take a toll on your own emotions, so you have to be able to separate the two. A victim advocate needs to be able to work on the victim's schedule and make them a priority."

For Miscisin, the dedication did not deter her from becoming a VA.

"I'm very passionate about helping people," said Miscisin. "It is a very rewarding feeling to know when you have helped someone overcome a traumatic event; it's even better when you get to watch them become a better person in spite of it."

Personnel interested in becoming a VA should contact the SARC office at 456-6836 and complete the application packet.

"Once we receive the application packet, we will conduct a one on one interview, and then get them scheduled for the VA training," said Hulen. "The training is 40 hours, and once they have completed it and received their certificate, they will be a VA. There is no expiration date on the training, even if they PCS to another base."