ALCOAST 179/23 - MAY 2023 2023 LIZ BLANC EXCEPTIONAL VICTIM ADVOCATE OF THE YEAR AWARDEE

R 081525Z MAY 23 MID120000057850U
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 179/23
SSIC 1650
SUBJ: 2023 LIZ BLANC EXCEPTIONAL VICTIM ADVOCATE OF THE
YEAR AWARDEE
A. COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC 062034Z DEC 22/ALCOAST 483/22
1. In 2022, the Department of Defense (DoD) announced its annual
request for Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response
Coordinator (SARC) of the Year nominations would expand to include
submissions for Victim Advocates of the Year as well. The Victim
Advocate award recognizes an individual (military or civilian) from
each branch of military service whose work in the field of sexual
assault prevention and response has been particularly noteworthy and
demonstrates outstanding support of service and community members.
2. I am pleased to announce that Ms. Christina Morabito, Victim
Advocate Program Specialist (VAPS), Coast Guard Academy (CGA) has
been selected as the 2023 Exceptional Victim Advocate of the Year
for the Coast Guard. Ms. Morabito provided programmatic oversight
for more than 1,000 cadets along with transient students at the
Leadership and Development Center (LDC) and permanent party staff.
Additionally, Ms. Morabito expertly facilitated 46 trainings for
approximately 3,500 Coast Guard members and played a significant
role with the coordination of the Congressionally mandated annual
Service Academy Gender Relations (SAGR) focus groups, attended by
the CGA cadet student population. Ms. Morabito also developed and
coordinated efforts of the Cadets Against Sexual Assault (CASA)
program, an initiative specifically dedicated to increasing
awareness of sexual assault prevention policies, reporting
procedures, and environmental factors that enable cadets to grow in
a safe environment. Ms. Morabito's creative collaboration with CASA
directly addresses long- term Coast Guard strategic goals that
greatly contribute to sexual assault prevention at the CGA.
3. I applaud all the nominees for their accomplishments and their
commanding officers for taking the time to submit well-deserved
nominations. Bravo Zulu to Ms. Morabito on her significant
accomplishments!
4. POC: Kirsten D. Diller, Kirsten.D.Diller@uscg.mil,
(757) 685-2683.
5. RADM Dana L. Thomas, Director, Health, Safety, and Work-Life
(CG-11), sends.
6. Internet release is authorized.