Photo By Master Sgt. Joseph Harwood | 179th Airlift Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, Capt. Becky English, uses...... read more read more
Subscribe
Mansfield, Ohio – On Oct. 1, 2018, newly hired Capt. Rebecca English, 179th Airlift Wing, Mansfield, Ohio, Sexual Assault Response Coordinator received the Advocacy Service Award from Kathy Ezawa, Executive Director of the Domestic Violence Shelter. With 18 years of military service, English decided to become an active advocate for prevention and spends her time responding to the needs of 179th AW military members and their dependents.
The Advocacy Service Award was received in the month of October in effort to bring awareness to National Domestic Violence Awareness. Violence is a national problem that slices through all socioeconomic, age, gender, ethnic, racial and cultural lines including our U.S. military. It hurts individuals, ruins families, weakens communities and jeopardizes the mission. Every minute, nearly 20 people are physically abused according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and ending domestic violence requires your commitment.
To help military families avoid these challenges, the U. S. Department of Defense is devoted to preventing domestic violence and building a culture of acceptance with prevention programs like Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, Green Dot and Domestic Violence. These programs work to advance a military culture free from sexual assault and remains dedicated to the goal of reducing sexual assault within the military population.
In support of the DOD goals, the 179th AW hired English in October of 2016. She is a perfect fit for the role of advocating for assault victims and training military troops on assault awareness and has made advocating for awareness her number one goal.
English stated, “As the SARC, I provide support and information to Air Force and Air National Guard members who need to heal and get back to feeling whole enough to serve again. I am able to help members by getting resources and assistant they need.”
As part of 179th AW prevention program, English is a dedicated Green Dot Coordinator, which is a program designed to educate military members on sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking and suicide prevention.
“I support members who have been sexually assaulted and members who are in domestic violence situations. I support the Green Dot program which is a prevention program for sexual assault, domestic violence, stalking, and suicide. These are prevention programs designed to get the word out to military members and their families. These type of situation exist. Assault and abuse happen to real people, not just to people you read about in the paper.” said English.
English is creative, bold and innovative in her methods of communicating the SAPR message and she is committed and dedicated to teaching young people that violence is not acceptable and promotes general domestic violence awareness by talking to everyone she knows about this issue.
“I like being able to help people and serving our military members is rewarding, she said. This award means a lot to me, it means I’m making a positive impact in the community and on our members. I’m glad I have the opportunity to serve our members”
English manages a team of six advocates. She and her team offer an incredible support system, without judgment to anyone needing help. She also offers information and resources to anyone that might be experiencing relationship problems.
“Judgmental people are my biggest obstacle, it may sound funny, but it’s true. We all need to be more accepting of each other. I don’t care how you perceive yourself and describe your individuality; I care about you, your wellbeing, and your humanity. It makes no difference to me if you are male or female, transgender, heterosexual, gay, lesbian, a-sexual, queer or bi-sexual; I welcome you to my office and will do everything I can to help you process and heal from whatever violence you have been exposed to, along with my team of others who care.” stated English.
English is also a member of the Richland County Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Collaborative which increases awareness of services for the community members in the Richland County Area. Once she was hired into the 179th AW SARC position, she started working with the local resources in Richland County. With one phone call she started making a difference.
“I want to make a big impact to the Wing and in the communities we live. I want to see a decrease in the amount of sexual assaults and domestic violence. I want to be a catalyst for change.” said English.
The U.S. Department of Justice estimates that 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are victims of physical violence every year. In the timeframe that 6,488 U.S. troops died in Afghanistan and Iraq; 11,766 women were murdered due to domestic violence at home, listed in the Huffington Post.
English said, “I want everyone to know that domestic violence does not discriminate, anyone and everyone could be exposed to domestic violence no matter your gender, age, race, ethnic background or religious preference. If you or anyone you know needs assistance please call the SARC cell at 419-566-2593 or the DPH at 419-520-6700.”
| Date Taken: | 10.09.2018 |
| Date Posted: | 10.17.2018 13:57 |
| Story ID: | 295825 |
| Location: | MANSFIELD, OHIO, US |
| Web Views: | 152 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, 179AW SARC Receives Community Award, by SMSgt Lisa Francis, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
No keywords found.
