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Wing roundup
Q&A with the SARC
Short Biography
is not given when a person uses force, restricted reporting and non-restricted
Troy Fiesel, LICSW (Licensed Inde- threat of force, coercion, or when the vic- reporting.
pendent Clinical Social Worker) tim is asleep, incapacitated or uncon- In a restricted report, a victim of
I have worked in the mental health scious.
sexual assault has the option of report-
field for the past seven years and was an
ing the incident directly to the SARC or
out patient mental health therapist at the What is the prevalence of sexual a health care provider without an official
Minneapolis VA prior to transferring to assault in the U.S. military? investigation being initiated. The victim
the 934th Airlift Wing.
Recent research indicates that in the will receive all medical attention and be
A captain in the United States Army United States 1 out of every 4 women and assigned a VA for support. The SARC
Reserve, I am assigned to a combat stress 1 out of 33 men have been the victims of will brief the command element that a
control unit and completed a one-year attempted or completed sexual assault. sexual assault has occurred but no iden-
tour in Iraq during Iraqi Freedom provid- The Department of Defense reports in tifying information will be shared.
ing mental health services to United 2005, the Services received 2,374 reports Sexual assault is one of the most
States Military Personnel and Civilians. of alleged cases of sexual assault involv- under reported crimes in the country and
I am very happy to be working with the ing members of the Armed Forces. the process of restricted reporting was
934th and look forward to establishing a The reports for fiscal year 2006 have created with the goal of encouraging
SARC Program that exemplifies the core not been released.
people who experience such acts will at
values of the United States Air Force.
a minimum receive support and care with-
What do I do if I am sexually out the barriers and fears associated with
What is the mission of the Sexual assaulted?
a public investigation.
Assault Response Coordinator? If you have been sexually assaulted A restricted report may be made
The SARC is responsible for the or think you have been:
only by members of the armed services
implementation and management of the - Go to a safe location away from the who are on active duty. At this time it
sexual assault prevention program for the attacker.
does not apply to dependents or mili-
wing. This involves completing annual - Contact your local Sexual Assault tary civilian personnel. At anytime, a
training with all civilian and military per- Response Coordinator (SARC) Victim victim may decide to change a restricted
sonnel, facilitating community education Advocate (VA) at (612) 713-1220, or report to unrestricted and file a formal
regarding sexual assaults and the recruit- healthcare provider.
criminal report. There is no statute of
ment and supervision of victim advo- - Seek medical care as soon as pos- limitations regarding this policy.
cates. The SARC is further responsible sible. Even if you do not have any visible A non-restricted report is when the
to respond to all allegations of sexual physical injuries, you may be at risk of allegation of a sexual assault is disclosed
assault 24 hours a day.
becoming pregnant or acquiring a sexu- to someone in the chain of command.
I am always looking for individuals ally transmitted disease.
Once this takes place, DoD directive dic-
interested in becoming victim advocates. - Ask the healthcare provider to contates that security forces and the Office
If you are interested in this process, duct a sexual assault forensic examina- of Special Investigations be notified and
please feel free to contact me at 713-1220. tion to preserve forensic evidence. a formal investigation begun.
-If you suspect you had been The SARC and VA are still involved
What is the definition of Sexual drugged, request that a urine sample be in the process to support the victim.
Assault?
collected.
However, the level of confidentially al-
Sexual assault is defined as inten- Preserve all evidence of the assault. lowed by the restricted process is not
tional sexual contact, characterized by Do not bathe, wash your hands or brush applicable.
use of force, physical threat or abuse of your teeth. Do not clean or straighten up Hours of Operation
authority when the victim does not or the crime scene.
The SARC is available 24 hours a
cannot consent.
- Write down, tape or record by any day, 7 days a week and can be reached
Sexual assault includes rape, other means all the details you can recall at 612-713-1220, cell phone number 612nonconsensual
sodomy (oral and anal) about the assault and your assailant. 490-6296.
indecent assault (unwanted, inappropri-
Editor’s Note: Our current SARC,
ate sexual contact or fondling) or at- What are the options for reporting Troy Feisel, is on duty in Southwest
tempts to commit these acts.
allegations of sexual assault? Asia. Maj. Cindy Rasmussen is handling
“Consent” shall not be deemed or There are two main options for re- his duties on an interim basis and can
construed to mean the failure by the vicporting sexual assault. The Department be reached at 612-713-3189 or by cell
tim to offer physical resistance. Consent of Defense has instituted the process of phone at 612-490-3886.
14 VIKING FLYER