NORTH LITTLE ROCK — Staff Sgt. Erin B. Hughes of Bryant has graduated from the National Guard Bureau's[more] Sexual Assault Prevention and Response/Victims Advocate Course, Aug. 19.
Hughes is a six-year veteran of the Arkansas Army National Guard and deployed with the 39th Infantry Brigade, Bravo Battery 1st and 206th Field Artillery to Camp Taji, Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2008 to 2009. She has been attached to the staff of the National Guard GED Plus program at Camp Robinson for two and a half years and currently serves as a company administrative noncommissioned officer and was recently appointed as a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator. Hughes is assigned to the HeadquartersSupport Company of the Arkansas Army National Guard's 777th Aviation Support Battalion at Camp Robinson.
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program reinforces the Army's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through a comprehensive policy that centers on awareness and prevention, training and education, victim advocacy, response, reporting, and accountability.
"This training has given me a better understanding and awareness of my work environment and surroundings," Hughes said.
The training Hughes received will help her as a Victims Advocate to promote sensitive care and confidential reporting for victims of sexual assault and accountability for those who commit these crimes.
Hughes is a 2004 graduate of J.D. Leftwich High School in Magazine, Ark. She and her husband, Timothy P. Hughes, reside in Bryant and are expecting a child in November.
