U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- The lead sexual assault expert at the Air Force Academy said a personnel swap revived the school’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.
The change follows last year’s accusations of office misconduct.
Dr. Kimberly Dickman, the Academy’s sexual assault response analyst, oversees the SAPRO.
“Not for one minute have our services stopped in our efforts to eradicate the crime of sexual assault from the Academy or provide care for victims and their families,” Dickman said. “We’re rebuilding our program which also means we’re rebuilding trust.”
A temporary team has backfilled the office until the hiring process for eight full-time employees is complete.
The temporary staff members are assistant SAPR program manager Maj. El-Len Serra and volunteer victim advocates Capt. Rachael Peck and Staff Sgt. Jennifer Kean.
The SAPRO team hosted an open house Jan. 30 to introduce itself to faculty and staff and show off its newly renovated office in Arnold Hall.
“The open house is also a way to advertise that we’re operating at full capacity and fully engaged in our community,” Serra said. “The first step is to get out the word on who we are and what we do.”
Capt. Jessica Williams is the first of the eight full-time staff members expected to arrive at the Academy in the coming months. She’s scheduled to be the SAPRO’s deputy director for two years, said Dickman, who sits on the Academy’s hiring panel.
Dickman said a new sexual assault program manager has been selected but their name won’t be released until the hiring process is complete.
“Their application is pending the hiring process at the Air Force Personnel Center,” she said.
The Academy also expects to hire two sexual assault response coordinators.
“One to serve permanent party service members and civilians out of a new office in the Community Center and the other to serve cadets out of the office in Arnold Hall,” she said.
Further, the school will hire three victim advocates, two violence prevention integrators and one program manager. A deputy program manager will be hired in the near future, Dickman said.
Violence prevention integrators study interpersonal and self-directed violence, including domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault and suicide.
“Victim advocates provide victims’ support from the moment they decide they want assistance,” Dickman said. “Whether it be referrals to medical services or working with commanders on unrestricted reports or through a court martial proceeding, victim advocates are here 24 hours a day to assist in any way they’re able.”
Williams said whether full time or temporary, the SAPRO staff intend to be proactive in advertising the services they provide.
“We always have an open door for cadets, staff and faculty, but it’s always good to remind those we serve that we’re here for support whenever they need us,” she said.
According to the Air Force SAPRO website, the mission of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is to educate, advocate and collaborate to respond to and stop sexual assault and its harmful effects on the Air Force.
“Our goal for the open house was achieved but eradicating sexual assault and providing care for victims is certainly an on-going campaign,” Williams said.