934th Airlift Wing introduces new SARC

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Eric Amidon
  • 934th Airlift Wing

Growing up, many people dream of one day making a difference. For some that dream consists of serving others through professions such as firefighter, law enforcement officer or one of the many medical professions.

For Elizabeth Henze, the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the 934th Airlift Wing, the difference she makes is in her work with survivors of sexual assault.

In joining the 934th AW Resiliency Team she will assist the Air Force SAPR mission which is to educate, advocate and collaborate to respond to and stop sexual assault and its harmful effects on the Air Force.

With a background in social work, Henze has served in helping those with severe and persistent mental illness, worked with suicidal teens as a mental health therapist and helped the homeless.

“One thing I’m really excited about is that I get the potential to make a difference.” she said. “The fact that I come into contact with 1500 people on base, I get to spread awareness about sexual assault and try and change some of those concerns we run into in our society.”

A Minnesota native, she was born and raised in Lakeville, Mn. She exercises her creativity by playing bass in two bands, artwork such as drawing and crafting, and she also likes to write a little bit as well.

Moving from clinical work to more of a case management role can be exciting and does present a few challenges that Henze is eager to face and overcome.

“Trying to find a way to reach everyone is going to be tough.” Henze said. “I know the work I did before was one-on-one so it was very individualized whereas now it’s going to be more of a group setting.”

Henze is looking forward to using the SARC training to spread the message to the wing that sexual assault can be prevented and that sexual harassment will not be tolerated.

“I want to make sure people feel welcomed, especially on the response side of things.” Henze said. ”Should anything happen I want people to know that my door is always open, even if people just want to talk, that’s fine too.”