AF extends SAPR services to civilian employees Published Sept. 10, 2015 By Senior Airman Jonathan Bass 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. -- On Sept. 8, the Air Force released a policy memo allowing Air Force civilian employees who are victims of sexual assault to file restricted and unrestricted reports with their installation's Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. The policy became effective immediately, allowing SARC and victim advocate personnel to assist Air Force civilian employees who report sexual assaults by providing crisis intervention and advocacy services 24/7. This change is an exception to DOD policy. Civilians employed by the Air Force now receive access to the same services as those already eligible, with the exception of legal and non-emergency services, which are restricted by law. Prior to this exception, only civilian employees at overseas locations and their dependents 18 years old or older were eligible to utilize SARC services, and could only file unrestricted reports. Team Shaw Air Force civilians can now contact Cynthia Evans, 20th Fighter Wing SARC, in the event of a sexual assault to receive support and advice on their options in regards to reporting the assault. "Our civilian Airmen are valuable members of our team, and we're going to support them," said Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James. "While this is a huge win for the Air Force and our civilian work force, we will continue to work at all levels to prevent sexual assault." Evans now can provide assistance with contacting the appropriate law enforcement agency if they choose to proceed with an unrestricted report. "We can now offer almost all of the same (sexual assault prevention and response) services we offer to active-duty members," said Evans. "From crisis counseling to transportation to Tuomey Regional Medical Center to get a (sexual assault forensic evidence) kit, if you call our safe hotline we can take care of you." The phone number for the safe hotline is (803) 895-SARC (7272). "Our SARCs and victim advocates provide invaluable support and assistance to our uniformed Airmen who have suffered from these horrible crimes," said Maj. Gen. Gina Grosso, Air Force SAPR director. "We knew we could do more to help our civilian Airmen, so we sought an exception to policy to allow the Air Force to extend the same care and support to civilian victims as we do to our military Airmen and their families." For more information, contact the 20th FW SARC at (803) 895-6831. (Air Force Headquarters Public Affairs contributed to this article)