Victim Advocate of the Week Published April 20, 2010 By Staff Sgt. Andy Wallan 95 Communications Group EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- I volunteered because I wanted to help others. I think sexual assualt can be deeply traumatic. I feel those who have experienced that kind of tragedy should have available the help they need to heal. Since attending the victim advocate training I've concluded the services provided by members of the sexual assault response community are vital. This is because of the pervasive effect of sexual assualt, but also the lack of open communication and information exchange regarding sexual assault. As a victim advocate I hope to help those impacted by sexual assualt. I will provide vicitms of sexual assault and empathetic ear in addition to the numerous other resources available to them. I will share what I know about the reality of sexual assault and encourage others to discuss sexual assault freely. This, I think, will aid in the prevention of sexual assault as well as the recovery of victims.