New Deputy Director Speaks At Third Quarter SARC Training

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As the new Deputy Director of Air Force Resilience, Jiri Crowder got a chance to share her expertise and meet with students at the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA) training at Maxwell Air Force Base less than three weeks after joining the Pentagon office. She told the 22 trainees in attendance that the Air Force is not only committed to improving its response and support for victims of sexual assault, but it is heavily investing in new measures to prevent sexual violence, including an innovative program to identify potential serial offenders.

Speaking to the trainees, Crowder said, “When victims report sexual assault, your goal is to fully support them, earning their trust and getting them the help they need in a time of crisis.”

Although Crowder may be new to the position, she is not new to the cause. Prior to joining the Air Force Office of Resilience, Crowder was the Chief, Airman and Family Care Division, Deputy Chief of Staff for Manpower, Personnel and Services at U.S. Air Force Headquarters. But her commitment to Airmen resiliency goes back much further as the daughter of an Air Force Veteran, plus 35 years as a civilian in the Air Force.

She told the new class of trainees that they had one of the most important jobs in the Air Force, ensuring sexual assault victims are fully supported whether they choose to pursue an unrestricted or restricted report of the assault. While a restricted report does not lead to a direct investigation of the incident, victims may offer enough information about the accused or the incident for the possible identification of a potential serial offender. Crowder said it’s imperative that victims know their rights for filing reports or initiating investigations into sexual assault. In addition, SARCs and SAPR VAs ensure sexual assault victims have immediate access to medical care and mental health counseling, and coordinate services and prevention strategies for victims who are fearful of retaliation.

She told the new class of trainees that they had one of the most important jobs in the Air Force, ensuring sexual assault victims are fully supported whether they choose to pursue an unrestricted or restricted report of the assault.

While a restricted report does not lead to a direct investigation of the incident, victims may offer enough information about the accused or the incident for the possible identification of a potential serial offender. Crowder said it’s imperative that victims know their rights for filing reports or initiating investigations into sexual assault. In addition, SARCs and SAPR VAs ensure sexual assault victims have immediate access to medical care and mental health counseling, and coordinate services and prevention strategies for victims who are fearful of retaliation.

The Air Force Resilience Office supports Major Commands (MAJCOM) and their Wings, and subordinate formations to foster and promote resilience among Airmen and their families, optimize performance and decrease negative outcomes, while building a more lethal force of the U.S. Air Force. For more information visit https://www.resilience.af.mil.