Wright-Patt welcomes sexual assault response coordinator

  • Published
  • By Amy Rollins
  • Skywrighter Staff
WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Wright-Patterson Air Force Base has welcomed Carmen Schott as the new sexual assault response coordinator (SARC) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program manager, but she is not new to the community. She was the SARC here for about a year in 2009-2010.

Schott holds master's and licensed clinical social work license as well as a licensed independent clinical license.

She arrived on base in October from Ramstein Air Base, Germany, where she served as the SARC for about two years. 

Schott said she has been working to reaffirm the relationships she established earlier this decade with base helping agencies.

"I still have a lot of those good connections, with the agencies and the people I worked with in the past," she said. "It's really nice to reconnect and network, both on- and off-base."

Working with her on the SAPR program are 1st Lt. Jennifer West, deputy SARC; and April Barrows and Susan Alexander, both sexual assault victim advocates.

Schott said she especially enjoys outreach, prevention, training, education and raising awareness of sexual assault and domestic violence.

"My entire life I've wanted to help people, and I've always seemed to attract people who have things to share," she noted. "I try to be a good listener. I have an open door, and if anyone has any issues or concerns about the sexual assault prevention program, I am here to listen with an open heart and an open mind. I'm willing to make changes to make this program better for everyone."

The number one reason for the program's existence is to help survivors of sexual assault or related issues.

"It doesn't matter if the assault occurred 10 or 20 years ago. We are here to help. We will meet with anyone to give them resources, whether we can open a case or not."

One of her key goals is "getting the word out that we need volunteer active-duty members who really have a heart for this work - people who want to make a difference to other Airmen," she said.

Wright-Patterson has about 15 victim advocates (VA) currently, and Schott would like to see that number at least double.

To become a VA, there are age and rank requirements for applicants. An interview with the SARC, a full background check, their commander's approval and paperwork are part of the process. Mandatory monthly meetings, a 40-hour VA training course and continuing education also are required. VAs must obtain the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP). The SAPR program provides free resources, speakers and continuing education credits toward this.

Air Force leaders recently released a five-year Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategy that will guide the Air Force in developing a robust prevention model while continually honing response capabilities today. Schott said she welcomes the changes and looks forward to working closely with the 88th Air Base Wing's community support coordinator, Community Action Information Board, Special Victims Counsel and other agencies.

"It's really a team and community prevention approach," Schott said. "Air Force leaders want the entire community to be involved in sexual assault prevention training, not just the SAPR staff."

Airmen will begin seeing portions of the prevention strategy in action this year. The Air Force SAPR office is working with a contracted prevention training company to tailor the company's training to address specific populations and behaviors of individuals, groups and cultures within the Air Force.

The new training will be presented to Airmen beginning in January 2016. Additionally, major commands across the Air Force have already begun to use advisory boards or existing installation delivery systems to support the rollout of the prevention strategy and new training model.

For more information about Wright-Patterson AFB's SAPR program, go online to www.wpafb.af.mil/units/sarc/index.asp; call 937-257-SARC (7272) or 937-689-2154 (24/7); or email 88ABW.CVK@wpafb.af.mil.

-- Some information contributed by Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs