New SARC brings a wealth job of experience

  • Published
  • By 1st Lt. Tinashe Machona
  • 161st Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

From a tender age, Ms. Lynn Spillers cultivated a never-ending passion for taking care of people, which reflected in her personality and experience as a social worker. Her expertise and devotion to the career field introduces her to a new role - sexual assault response coordinator (SARC) for the 161st Air Refueling Wing.

Spillers earned her bachelor’s degree in social worker from Arizona State University in 2011. She subsequently worked as a social worker for about eight years.

“I’ve always known that my calling is to help people, inspiring me to empower victims in, quite possibly, their most vulnerable time,” said Spillers. She added that she really enjoys her work because it enables her to assist victims to have a voice against their abusers, through victim impact statements in court.

In 2015, Spillers initiated and developed the victim’s services division for Arizona State University Police Department, engaging in a multitude of crisis interventions.

Instrumental in comforting victims through the justice system, Spillers worked hand-in-hand with multiple Police Departments in pursuit of providing guidance and support to abuse-victims. She has broad experience working in the area of victim advocacy against domestic violence, substance abuse and child neglect. She also worked as a high-lethality domestic violence victim advocate for the Glendale Police Department, responding to aggravated domestic violence and sexual assault crimes. Her position involved assisting victims to gain access to shelters, orders of protection, counselling, and providing emotional support.

While in college, Spillers interned at the Maricopa County prosecutor’s office in the sex crimes and domestic violence bureau.

“Although I am new to the military, I am excited to embrace the culture. This helps me make a positive impact by helping members know that they are valuable and that I am here to help in any way possible. I want all members to know that my office will be a safe, supportive and confidential place,” Spillers said.  

Spillers is an avid reader and hiker, whose goal is to visit all the national parks in the U.S.

Spillers’ office is located in building 10, room 231. Her hours of operation are Monday through Friday between 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., however, she can be reached at any time through the SARC hotline at (602) 302-9176.