Victim Advocate of the Month Published April 22, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Thomas Mitsch, United States Marine Corps 412th Test Wing Edwards Sexual Assault Victim Advocate Office EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- I chose to become a Uniformed Victim Advocate because I have a friend who was the victim of sexual assault. I had never given the issue of sexual assault much attention before. To me, sexual assault was just an hour-long brief that I had to sit through once a year. My friend's assault really hit home for me and forced me to realize what sexual assault really is and the devastating affects it has on its victims. I quickly learned everything that I could about sexual assault and how to help victims deal with it. Helping my friend go from a victim of sexual assault to a survivor of sexual assault was a very rewarding experience for me. Helping sexual assault victims is something that everyone can and should do. You don't have to be a victim advocate to do your part. It can be as simple as being a good listener or going with them to an appointment. Eradicating the stain of sexual assault from the military will require everyone to get involved. I advocate for victims of sexual assault because I want to help more victims become survivors.