Airmen share hope, encouragement after sexual assault

EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. — A “Voices from the Valley: Moving on from Violence and Silence” testimonial event was held here April 22, as part of Eglin’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Month activities.

At the East Gate Chapel gathering, Lauren Barboza, SAPR coordinator, said sexual assault victims can always find help and support here.

“No matter what, you are not alone,” she said.  “There is always someone here to help you get through whatever you’ve been through.”

Airmen shared their traumatic experiences and offered words of hope and encouragement.  They also posted written messages on a virtual tree displayed in the pulpit.

The first speaker posted a message saying “think about your friends and family before you attempt to end your life.”  He said he was suicidal after two sexual assaults.

“When something like this happens, it hits you really hard,” he said.  “It was difficult to talk to family or friends about it.”

The experience affected his work performance and life outside of his job, he said.

He eventually decided that instead of committing suicide and leave his family and friends behind, he would get help.  He entered a treatment facility and received the coping skills he needed to deal with his experience.

“I learned I couldn’t be afraid of what people would think of me,” he said.  “Once I was able to communicate my experience with others and they understood, I started getting better.”

The next Airman’s message was “even in the darkest valley, there is light.”

She said she initially did not seek help after her sexual assault, calling that “a sign of weakness.”

Instead, she abused alcohol.  She drank every day after work and became a self-described functioning alcoholic.  Her drinking led to a driving under the influence of alcohol conviction, which she called her turning point.

She said the help she is receiving worked and she is glad she reached out.

“There is hope at the end,” she said.  “Even though everything you see is darkness in the moment, there is a turn you need to make in your path.”

She encouraged anyone with a similar trauma to also get help.

The final Airman’s message was “always stay kind in dark times.”

Her sexual assault by a family member happened before she joined the military.  She shared the pain of not being supported by her parents.

“They didn’t believe me and that broke my heart,” she said while crying.  “I needed them to believe me and they didn’t.  I never sought help before I joined the Air Force, because they said it would ruin my career.”

She said utilizing the base’s SAPR resources has helped her to heal.  She wants to eventually use her story and her kindness to help others.

“I’m working on finding myself, loving myself and understanding who I am,” she said.  “I hope this is a new beginning for me.”

Barboza ended with her own thoughts of encouragement.

“The power of sharing these experiences resonates with others,” she said.

For more information, contact the SAPR office at 882-7486.

Story by Kevin Gaddie, Team Eglin Public Affairs /