JOINT BASE ANACOSTIA-BOLLING –
For many survivors of sexual assault, the path to healing begins with a single conversation. At JBAB, that conversation starts with the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response team of three.
SAPR is a program within the Department of Defense that is designed to support survivors, promote awareness and foster a culture of respect across all military culture. The JBAB SAPR team is united by a shared mission: to empower survivors of sexual assault, foster awareness and create a culture of safety and respect.
The newest member of the SAPR team is Sieda Jones, the sexual assault response coordinator for the 11th Wing, who is often the first point of contact for victims.
“Survivors need a safe space,” Jones shared. “Service members are bred to be strong and they often suffer in silence. It’s my job to be a voice for them.”
With a background in advocating for victims of sex trafficking, domestic violence advocacy and support and social work, she brings a wealth of experience and a mission-focused mindset for her role. She offers a compassionate, survivor-centered approach that reflects both her professional expertise and personal dedication to helping advocate for victims.
Jones’s connection to the military is also beyond her professional role here.
“My husband and son are in the Air Force, so this work is close to my heart” she said.
Jones’s goal is to ensure that SAPR efforts extend beyond its prevention awareness month and hopes to play a role in cultivating a base-wide culture that supports survivors every single day.
The SAPR team also includes Carol-Ann Cerkan and Betzaida Santana who are SAPR victim advocates assigned to the 11th WG.
Cerkan has been serving as a survivor advocate with JBAB for nearly two years. She is a certified trauma specialist.
Her decades of experience in counseling and helping the public keeps her passion for helping others ignited.
“There have been times in my life where I needed a helping hand and didn’t have anyone to reach out to,” she shares. “I want to be available to help those who need it most.”
This understanding of loneliness during a time of need fuels her dedication to ensuring that survivors never feel alone in a vulnerable state. Cerkan’s presence on the SAPR team is rooted in compassion and she brings experience, intention and an enduring desire to serve with her goal of empowering survivors at the forefront.
Santana is a retired U.S. Army Master Sgt. who served for 26 years. She was an active-duty senior career counselor at the regional level and got her certification for victim advocacy in 2013.
“For many years, I saw first-hand the damage that sexual violence has caused,” Santana shared.
Her certification as a master resilience trainer and family readiness liaison gave her a deep personal drive to her role. This toolkit allowed her to guide survivors through their darkest moments with compassion and strength.
“The most rewarding part of the job for me is witnessing a client shift their mindset from victim to survivor,” she said.
As a wife and mother of four, she is personally connected to her work of prevention and victim advocacy. Santana is driven by the belief that supporting survivors and pushing for change is not just a duty but her calling.
“Our members deserve better, and I am honored to play a supportive role in their journey,” she shared.
The JBAB SAPR team serves a unique community in the National Capital Region, supporting survivors from the Pentagon, Joint Base Andrews, Joint Base Henderson Hall and all of AFDW’s mission partners. The team plays a key role in ensuring that every service member, civilian and dependent has access to confidential care, advocacy and resources in times of crisis. With compassion at the core of their work, they remain a steadfast resource to survivors in need.
If you or someone you know is in need of SAPR support, please reach out to the 24/7 hotline at (202) 767-7272.