Sexual assault prevention office takes steps to help victims with shoe drive

  • Published
  • By Diane Betzler
  • Staff Writer
EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  Edwards' Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office took extra steps to help victims walk away from the devastating effects caused by sexual abuse April 22 when it collected nearly 300 pairs of shoes for victims.

Kimberly Shirley, Sexual Assault Response coordinator and her staff of six volunteer advocates collected shoes for men, women and children during the drive. Ms. Shirley came up with the idea after visiting a local shelter and noticing there were plenty of clothes, but not much in the way of footwear to offer assault victims.

"When women leave an abusive situation they usually do so in a hurry and don't have time to pack. They often leave with just the clothes on their backs and their children in tow," Ms. Shirley said.

Ms. Shirley and her staff held the shoe drive at the Base Exchange and asked only that the shoes people donate be in good condition.

"After explaining to people why we were collecting shoes, some went into the BX, bought new shoes and donated them," Ms. Shirley said.

All the shoes collected at the drive have been donated to the Antelope Valley Domestic Violence Council at the Valley Oasis Shelter.

The shoe drive was the second such drive put on by the SAPRO. Because of the fervent need it has now become an annual event that will take place each April, which is Sexual Assault Awareness month.

Ms. Shirley explained that the shoes are mainly collected for rape victims who have consented to a sexual assault forensic examination.

"When a person goes through a SAFE, they have to give up all their clothing including their shoes so officials can search for DNA," she explained.

Ms. Shirley said the recipients were very appreciative about receiving shoes, "I didn't know what a pair of shoes would mean to them. The response from some was emotional and overwhelming for me," she said.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office is located at the Airman and Family Readiness Center in Bldg. 7020 and is there to serve active duty Airmen and their families.

"If an Airman has suffered such an attack, we have therapists available for the Airman to talk to," Ms. Shirley said.

She said if the victim is a member of the Airman's immediate family, the office has a list of resources they will give to the victim informing the person where he or she can go to for help in the civilian community.

"We don't counsel people here. We assist the SARC and get people in touch with the persons they need to talk to," said Tech. Sgt. Eric Cullen, 95th Communication Squadron. Sergeant Cullen has been involved with the program for two years and is one of the volunteer advocates.

"But we will lend them an ear when people want to talk," Ms. Shirley said.

There is a volunteer staff member on call 24 hours a day for a week at a time.

Sergeant Cullen and Katelin Sprague, program assistant, joined Ms. Shirley to count and package all the shoes they collected at this year's drive.

"We didn't quite make 300 pairs, so next year our goal will be to reach that number and collect 300 pairs of shoes," Ms. Shirley said.

When asked about how many sexual assault cases they deal with here, Ms. Shirley said they don't give numbers.

"Because if the numbers are low people tend to think it isn't a problem," she said. "Just because our numbers are low doesn't mean it isn't happening. It just means not everyone reports it."

The reason some people don't report a sexual assault is usually because the person feels shame or guilt. Victims tend to think it's their fault, she said.

"The victim is never at fault. No one asks to be raped," she said.

If an active duty Airman or a family member needs to reach Ms. Shirley or a volunteer advocate, they can call 277-7272. If calling from base just simply dial 7-SARC.

After business hours or for an emergency call 209-0115.