Cadet survivors find outlet in weekly support group
Sexual assault is a direct violation of the U.S. Air Force Academy Honor Code Oath. Sexual assault survivors and supporters meet weekly in the Cadet Wing’s Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers support group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Justin Pacheco)
By Randy Roughton
U.S. Air Force Academy Strategic Communications
U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo.- Cadets in recovery from sexual assault have a support group where they can meet safely to share common experiences and coping skills.
Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers
The Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers support group meets weekly at a private time and place in the Cadet Wing. Cadets interested in attending may contact teal rope cadets or the Academy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response staff for meeting details. VAST meetings are also open to friends of cadets who are assault survivors.
Helping and healing
The group’s focus is on helping and healing, Cadet 2nd Class Madisen said. Cadets are referred by first names only for privacy reasons in this article.
“The healing process is different for everybody,” Madisen said. “There is no right or wrong way. The only right way is to not do it alone.”
Allies in teal
Cadets and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team started the VAST support group about two years ago to provide a sense of community for survivors, said Linda Allen, a victim advocate embedded in Sijan Hall and teal rope program manager.
The teal color represents the training and volunteerism the cadet has undergone to assist peers in dealing with sexual assault.
The Academy has about 90 teal rope cadets. Dorm room door handles signify that a cadet in need can find a teal rope cadet inside. Sometimes, teal rope cadets will lead a sexual assault survivor to the victim advocate’s office, Allen said.
Allen maintains a curriculum for each session, which includes topics such as self-care, mindfulness, practical tips for survivor allies and discussions about survivorship. The meetings also feature activities such as art and crochet. The group does not keep a roster or track those who attend meetings. Attendees are free to share as much or as little as they like.
Take Back the Night
The idea for the upcoming Take Back the Night, scheduled for 6-9 p.m. Oct. 24 in the Arnold Hall Ballroom originated at a VAST meeting, Cadet 2nd Class Matthew said.
Take Back the Night is the oldest worldwide stand against sexual violence. Organizers said they hoped that the event would provide a meaningful opportunity for survivors to share their stories in a supportive environment to promote healing, restoration and understanding, said Lisa Pokorny, Academy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response integrated prevention and response care branch chief.
Not just a female issue
Matthew is the lone male cadet at some VAST meetings. This fact bothered him when he first began attending meetings last spring. He quickly realized that male and female sexual assault shared similar experiences and after-effects from their trauma. They could all learn from and support each other.
“I call it a continuum between where you still view yourself as a victim and when you transition toward viewing yourself more as a survivor,” Matthew said. “Through my participation in the group, I feel I have moved further toward being able to be more of the survivor.”
Although the road to recovery is not easy, the support group has given members another tool to cope with the damage left by assault, Matthew said. The group members share experiences and feelings of cadet life and their coping skills with each other. They find help, hope and new coping methods.
“Being a survivor is a full-time job,” he said. “Being a cadet is a full-time job. This is another beneficial resource on top of the other things that I already use to help me get through this process of healing and the journey.”
Helping the healing process
Some Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers support group meetings can test the emotions because of the familiar feelings from similar experiences members share, Madisen said. Just because there is pain does not mean what is shared is not helping, however.
“It can be emotionally taxing at times, taking a toll on your emotions, but at the same time, the support that you’re getting is the reason why you continuously go back,” Madisen said. “Just because it takes a toll on you does not mean it is not working. The healing process is not easy. It is not supposed to be easy.”
U.S. Air Force Academy Band members perform during a recent home football game with the teal ribbon on their faces. Teal represents the training and volunteerism the cadet has undergone to serve as a liaison to their peers seeking support around sexual assault and harassment. Sexual assault survivors and supporters meet weekly at the Cadet Wing’s Victims, Allies, Survivors and Thrivers support group. (U.S. Air Force photo by Trevor Cokley)