Edwards SARC Recognized by Kern County, State Legislators

  • Published
  • By Capt. Melissa Horton
  • AFFTC Judge Advocate
BAKERSFIELD, Calif. --  Kimberly Shirley, Edwards Air Force Base's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, received special recognition at the Kern County National Crime Victims' Rights Awareness Week Program in downtown Bakersfield, Calif., April 21.

The program, which was presented by the Kern County Probation Department's Victim Witness Assistance Program and Victim Witness Auxiliary Board, opened with the Edwards Blue Eagles Honor Guard posting the colors and Staff Sgt. Oscar Lopez singing the National Anthem.

During the program, local law enforcement agencies presented remarks, local mayors read proclamations, and several individuals throughout Kern County were recognized for their efforts in assisting crime victims. Mrs. Shirley was applauded for her work at Edwards, which included training nearly 1,500 active-duty and civilian personnel in 76 classes.  Subjects included how to report sexual assaults and what options victims have.  She also sponsored two cost-free self defense classes. She's also trained geographically separated units and personally tailored a 40-hour training course for eight new Victim Advocates, a special team of volunteers who provide 24-hour support to sexual assault victims. Mrs. Shirley is a member of the local community's Sexual Assault Response Team and collaborates with the Antelope Valley Oasis Rape Crisis Center. She was also recognized for helping to develop a Garden of Healing display at Edwards to support sexual assault victims.

For her efforts, Mrs. Shirley received a plaque and certificates of recognition from California Congressmen Jim Costa, 20th Congressional District, and Kevin McCarthy, 22nd Congressional District. Representatives from the offices of state Senators Roy Ashburn and Dean Florez also presented certificates of recognition to Mrs. Shirley.

The two-hour program also included remarks by Carmina Salcido who, at age 3, survived a gruesome attack by her father, Ramon Salcido, who killed seven people including her mother and her two sisters. She told her story through excerpts from a book she wrote about the ordeal, Not Lost Forever.

National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which has been observed since 1981, is coordinated by the National Center for Victims of Crime and the U.S. Department of Justice. This year's theme was "Crime Victims' Rights: Fairness. Dignity. Respect."

To contact the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator to report an assault, please call the 24-hour hotline at (661) 209-0115. For answers to questions regarding the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program call (661) 277-7272 or email Kimberly.shirley@edwards.af.mil.