MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- Sexual assault has been described as metaphorically killing a person, but then asking them to get up afterwards. It is a way of stealing someone's spirit and their sense of self, yet, they are expected to get back to their life as if nothing ever happened.

Sexual assault is real and it occurs everywhere, even in the Air Force. The Air Force has responded to this by initiating a program called the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program. This program reinforces the Air Force's commitment to eliminate sexual assaults through awareness and prevention training, education, victim advocacy, response, reporting, and accountability.

Air Force Global Strike Command Airmen here can turn to this program for help. Heading this base's program is the newly appointed Reagan Lantz, 5th Bomb Wing Sexual Assault Response Coordinator.

"My job is to ensure that the community is aware of reporting situations, educate and prevent all aspects surrounding sexual assault, and to coordinate a 24/7 response system to ensure victim services are in place," said Ms. Lantz. "I also recruit and lead volunteer victim advocates who are truly the foundation of this program. The ultimate goal is to reduce and eliminate sexual assaults that occur within the military community."

She said she applied for this job because she has a passion for helping people.

"I saw an opportunity where I could really make a difference in this program and in the base community," she said.

Ms. Lantz is passionate about her job as her experience with sexual assault and victim services is extensive.

"It started when I was a social work graduate intern at a local crisis center," said the SARC. "It has expanded through previous work involving victims and perpetrators of family violence for the last four years. I am also extensively involved with the Domestic Violence Crisis Center, the North Dakota Council on Abused Women's Services, and various committees serving as an expert with violence and the military."

As the new SARC, Ms. Lantz said she hopes to accomplish a lot with her priority being to streamline and organize awareness and response efforts to better serve the community.

"I think a stand-alone program like this needs a good foundation," she said. "Strengthening these efforts will only make this program more successful."

In particular, Ms. Lantz wants the community to recognize sexual assault as a problem.

"Being a victim of sexual assault is scary and traumatic, but contacting the SARC is safe," she said. "We are here to help victims through this process. A victim should never feel alone. It takes strength and courage to come forward and report sexual assault."

Ms. Lantz believes being supportive of friends and family members who may have been assaulted is important as well.

"This is why the wingman concept is so vital," she said. "It is everyone's duty to watch out for one another. It could be anything from staying at a party even though you want to leave or taking the keys from someone who has had too much to drink. It's all about having each other's back."

She said the SARC and victim advocates can provide resources and tools for secondary victims as well, which include friends and loved ones of the victim.

Currently, the SARC is seeking interested individuals to volunteer as victim advocates.

"Victim advocates are here primarily to help an individual through every aspect of the aftermath of dealing with a sexual assault," said victim advocate Staff Sgt. Dean Sides, 5th Civil Engineer Squadron assistant NCO in charge of structures. "From the initial medical exam and law enforcement interview through the court martial, should it come to that, victim advocates are there. Whether the victim makes a restricted or unrestricted report, they will be assigned an advocate, and they will assist the victim in any way possible."

To be a victim advocate, contact the SARC office at 723-5275, or stop by the office, which is located in the 5th Medical Group building on the third floor.

For those who may have been affected by a sexual assault incident, Sergeant Sides urges people to report it.

"Victims can make a restricted report that isn't reported to their chain of command or to law enforcement, but they are still entitled to medical care as well as after-care and a victim advocate," said the sergeant. "Should they make an unrestricted report, the same care is available, in addition to legal procedures and chain of command notifications."

"The most important thing to remember is that it isn't your fault," he continued. "Regardless of the circumstances, you are not alone. We're here to help, all you have to do is call or come in to see us."