The Coast Guard congratulates and thanks Michael Jordy, our 2023 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) of the Year and Lt. j.g. Kirsten Carson, our 2023 Liz Blanc Exceptional Victim Advocate (VA) of the Year.
Coast Guard’s 2023 Liz Blanc Exceptional Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) of the Year
Mr. Jordy is the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator for the Coast Guard’s Eighth District where he serves over 100 geographically dispersed units across 26 states. He supports over 7,900 active duty, reserve, and civilian members guaranteeing members and commands receive timely service and resources.
Jordy, committed to victims, volunteer victim advocates, and command leadership, tirelessly provided over 150 command consultations for work-life concerns. He helped develop the Coast Guard’s future leaders by participating in the District’s Officer-In-Charge Review Board process highlighting work-life specific considerations. Beyond his Coast Guard duties, Jordy built community relations with the Attorney General of Mississippi. Jordy assisted in training law enforcement officers in sexual assault and domestic violence trauma-informed interviewing techniques through interactive role-playing scenarios.
Coast Guard’s 2023 Liz Blanc Exceptional Victim Advocate (VA) of the Year
Lt. j.g. Carson serves in the Incident Management Division of the Response Department at Sector Mobile. She also serves as the Sector’s Public Affairs Officer and Volunteer Victim Advocate, in a collateral duty capacity.
A pillar for victim advocacy, Carson ensured privacy and victim rights are prioritized, while also ensuring medical providers and administrative personnel remain sensitive to potential pitfalls in response practices. Her work in community outreach extends beyond the Coast Guard as she networked to share knowledge and increase resources for the survivors she assists. She initiated wide-reaching prevention efforts by coordinating and carrying out a proclamation signing with the city of Mobile, deeming April Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month throughout the second largest city in Alabama. Her collaboration with the Gulf Coast Victim Services Task Force resulted in shared best practices that help improve victim response tactics for partners like the Mobile Police Department and Lifelines Counseling and significantly broadened recovery options for military members seeking services.
Jordy and Carson will be honored guests at the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) Annual Awards Ceremony on May 21 at the Pentagon, in Washington D.C.
Elizabeth “Liz” Blanc was a Department of Defense (DoD) professional who dedicated her life to supporting victims of sexual assault before passing away after a long battle with cancer. The award was named after Liz in 2020 to honor her immeasurable impact on the DoD and military SAPR programs.
-USCG-