HILL AIR FORCE BASE, Utah -- Hill Air Force Base launched a new online support initiative Aug. 20 for survivors of sexual assault, offering anonymous, moderated group chats each Wednesday from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. Mountain time.
Hosted through the Defense Department’s Safe Helpline program, the Hill AFB local Safe HelpRoom is staffed by certified sexual assault response coordinators and victim advocates from the base’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response office. The chatroom provides a secure space for survivors to connect, with all messages reviewed to protect confidentiality.
Stephanie Pyka, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response specialist at Hill, said the initiative is designed to send a clear message to survivors.
“We hope the local Safe HelpRoom lets survivors know they are not alone, their voice matters, and help is available discreetly, even if they’re hesitant about in-person support,” Pyka said. “We are adapting to survivor needs and expanding how they can connect, offering an alternative method to receive support.”
The HelpRoom is accessible only during the designated chat hour, but users can find 24/7 support resources on the landing page. Promoted across regional installations, the initiative aims to reduce barriers to care by enabling participation from any location with internet access.
Brittany Pirrello, another specialist in Hill’s SAPR office, said the program aligns with the SAPR team’s broader goals of increasing accessibility and meeting survivors where they are.
“The local Safe HelpRoom offers a low-barrier entry point for survivors who may not be ready for formal support and provides a sense of community and shared experience,” she said.
The SAPR office hopes participants leave each session feeling supported and informed.
“We want participants to leave feeling validated, empowered, and that they are not alone and are part of a supportive community,” Pyka said. “We hope that survivors will feel informed about available resources and empowered in choosing how and when they access support.”
Survivors can access the HelpRoom via the Hill AFB local Safe HelpRoom landing page.
For questions, contact hill.sarc@us.af.mil or call the Hill AFB 24/7 SAPR hotline at 801-777-1985.