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PHOTO: Christina Zabierek has taken the reins as the Maine National Guard Joint Force Headquarters’ sexual assault response coordinator, replacing Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kartika Wright. (Submitted photo)
AUGUSTA — Christina Zabierek has taken the reins as the Maine National Guard Joint Force Headquarters’ sexual assault response coordinator, replacing Chief Warrant Officer 4 Kartika Wright.
Wright, who held the position for six years, will retire this fall after more than 30 years of service.
“Chief Wright has made great strides in influencing an organizational culture that encourages supporting victims,” said Lt. Col. Zebulan Murray, deputy chief of staff for personnel. “Her impact will be long-lasting within the organization, and we wish her well in her new endeavors.”
“It does not matter when or where an incident occurred – before or during military service, in a duty or nonduty status,” Zabierek said. “We are able to provide the appropriate resources and support.”
Improvements in the SAPR program under Wright include the addition of a full-time SARC at the 101st Air Refueling Wing, increased leadership engagement regarding prevention and response, and an increase in willingness to report inappropriate behavior.
“The program is still relatively young and there is a lot of movement and growth,” Wright said. “We [the military] are a slice of society, and sexual violence is a serious issue in society. The Department of Defense continues to do its best to prevent sexual violence and ensure the best response is available when it happens. The SAPR program is victim/survivor centric, and we are here to support victim/survivors as they heal from one of the most traumatic events that someone may experience.”
Zabierek is fresh off a 16-month tour with the National Guard Bureau special victims counsel legal office. She is looking for ways to continue to build on Wright’s progress, with a particular interest in additional training opportunities for victim advocates.
She said she is also interested in working on empowering soldiers with more training on intervention and prevention techniques, as well as modernizing communication, training and support through new technology.
Zabierek began her military career as a flautist in the 195th Army Band in Bangor, and served as a paralegal noncommissioned officer for the 120th Regional Support Group, 133rd Engineer Battalion and Joint Force Headquarters. In 2014, she was appointed warrant officer as the state legal administrator.
Wright, asked for parting words, said, “Take care of your fellow service members and their families. Service to community and country is so rewarding. Even though what we may be called to do may put us in harm’s way, we should always have trust that our fellow service members have our backs — respect is key, kindness matters. A simple action on the part of one individual may make a huge difference in the life of another. If you see something happening around you that isn’t quite right, please say something.”
