SAPR

What steps should I take to protect myself if I was sexually assaulted?

• Try to get to a safe and secure location away from the perpetrator

• If possible, do not shower, bathe, change clothes, brush your teeth, eat or drink anything, or clean up the area where you were sexually assaulted

• If this is an emergency or you need immediate medical attention, go to the nearest emergency room or call your local medical emergency number. You may request a sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) to preserve forensic evidence

• You may choose to contact law enforcement and report this crime

*To learn more about a SAFE exam you can find information on the DoD Safe Helpline website here
Who is eligible for SAPR support services?

• Active-duty service members

• Air Force Reserve and Air National Guard

• Dependents who are 18 years and older and who are eligible for treatment in the military health system

• DAF civilian appropriated and non-appropriated employees
Can I speak to a Chaplain about sexual assault?

Yes, you can speak to a Chaplain at any time. Chaplains provide confidential spiritual guidance. While they do not take official reports of sexual assault, they can maintain privileged communications.

If you request, Chaplains can also connect you with your local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA).
Can I report a sexual assault to a SARC from another service or base?

If you are a service member, you may file a report with any DoD SARC, regardless of location. DoD civilians and their dependents 18 years or older may make an unrestricted report when they are stationed or performing duties OCONUS and eligible for treatment in the military health system.

DAF civilians and their dependents 18 years or older can choose either reporting option (restricted or unrestricted) at any DAF SAPR office (CONUS or OCONUS). You can expect a warm handoff to local or online resources.
Locate responders near you
Use the DoD Safe Helpline locate responders near me page to find responders near you.

The database includes the following responders:
- • Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs)
- • SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs)
- • Medical and mental health service providers
- • Special Victims’ Counsel or Victims’ Legal Counsel
- • Chaplains
- • Civilian sexual assault service providers
- • Military Police

The Department of Defense (DoD) defines sexual assault as:

Intentional sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. The term includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), or attempts to commit any of these acts.

Sexual assault can occur without regard to sex or spousal relationship or age of victim. Sexual assault is a crime.

The DoD defines sexual harassment as:

A category of harassment that is sexual in nature, including but not limited to, unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and repeated deliberate offensive comments or gestures of a sexual nature.

Sexual assault occurs when consent is not given for sexual contact. Lack of consent can be assumed regardless of whether a victim resists physically. Consent is also not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated (due to drugs, alcohol, or other foreign substances) or unconscious. Other sex-related offenses are defined as all other sexual acts or acts in violation of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) that do not meet the above definition of sexual assault, or the definition of sexual harassment as in DoD Directive 1350.2, Department of Defense Military Equal Opportunity. Examples of other sex-related offenses could include indecent acts with another Service member and adultery.

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Get involved with prevention activities and events by contacting your local SAPR office, or visit prevention.mil for online resources.

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Sexual Violence Support and Experiences Study (SVSES)

Take the confidential Sexual Violence Support and Experiences Study survey to help improve DoD programs

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Unrestricted Reporting

An unrestricted report allows adult victims of sexual assault to report crimes without requesting confidentiality of their allegations. When you file an unrestricted report, DoD law enforcement will initiate an investigation, and your chain of command is notified. This reporting option allows you to receive medical care, advocacy services, legal support, and eligibility for expedited transfer. You may also report retaliation to the SAPR program.

You can submit an unrestricted report to the following:

• Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)

• SAPR Victim Advocate (SAPR VA)

• Law Enforcement/MCIO

• Commander

• Health care personnel (These personnel will not personally take the official report but will immediately call a SARC)

For more information on unrestricted reporting options, please visit https://www.sapr.mil/unrestricted-reporting.
Restricted Reporting

A restricted report allows adult victims of sexual assault to confidentially report the crime to specified individuals without triggering an investigation. Information provided to the chain of command does not reveal personally identifying information about the victim or alleged offender. Restricted Reporting enables the victim to access legal advice, healthcare (including medical and mental health services), and advocacy support.

You can submit a restricted report to the following:

• Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)

• SAPR Victim Advocate (VA)

• Healthcare Provider or Personnel (These personnel will not personally take the official report but will immediately call a SARC)

For more information on restricted reporting options, please visit https://www.sapr.mil/restricted-reporting .

Retaliation
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program is available to provide advocacy and referrals to anyone who reports retaliation, reprisal, ostracism, or maltreatment resulting from an allegation of sexual assault.

Within the SAPR program, you are eligible to file a Retaliation Report on a DD Form 2910-2 if you are:
- • An adult victim of sexual assault who filed an Unrestricted Report of sexual assault
- • A family member of an adult victim of sexual assault
- • A bystander who intervened
- • A witness
- • A SARC or SAPR VA
- • A responder on the sexual assault case (ex. MCIO, SVC/VLC/VC, SAFE Examiner, Commander)
- • Associated with the incident (ex. a roommate, friend, co-worker)

Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN)

Is the nation's largest anti-sexual violence organization. National Sexual Assault Hotline: 800.656.HOPE

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Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Handprint — love is respect.

24/7 Support for youth experiencing dating abuse and critical information and resources on healthy relationships

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DoD Safe Helpline

A confidential and anonymous crisis support service for the DoD community affected by sexual assault.

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sexual assault prevention and response image where a woman is putting her hand print covered in teal paint on the wall to share awareness around sexual assault — National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

NSVRC addresses the causes and impact of sexual violence through collaboration, prevention, and resources

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Office for Victims of Crime (OVC)

Promotes compliance with victims’ rights laws, and provides training and technical assistance

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Military OneSource connects you to 24/7 help online or by phone

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Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program

The goal of the CATCH Program is to identify serial sexual assault offenders. Sexual assault victims can anonymously submit suspect information to CATCH in most reported or non-reported cases. If the CATCH entry matches another case or investigation, the victim is notified. Every step in the process is voluntary and victims may elect not to participate at any time.

For more information, review the Victim Info Sheet for the CATCH Program and contact your local Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate (VA). To locate a SARC or SAPR VA near you, visit the DoD Safe Helpline locate page here. For general questions about the CATCH Program, contact SAPRO online. For CATCH website IT Support, contact 571-305-9999, option 2 (For SARCS only, not victims).
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)

A Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) manages the installation Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program. They serve as the subject matter expert to installation leadership and coordinate 24/7 victim care and case management for adult sexual assault victims from initial reporting through legal disposition and resolution.
SAPR Victim Advocate (VA)

SAPR Victim Advocate (VA), SAPR VA, serves as the installation's primary sexual assault victim advocate. A SAPR VA can assist you with reporting options and provide support, advocacy, and liaison services to eligible military and civilian sexual assault victims in accordance with DoD and DAF policies.
Department of Air Force SAPR Policy (DAFI 90-6001)

Department of the Air Force Guidance Memorandum to Department of the Air Force Instruction (DAFI) 90-6001, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program
DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE POLICY DIRECTIVE 90-60

Department of the Air Force Policy Directive 90-60
Resources for Leadership (CAC enabled)

View the Resilience Operations Library - CAC required.

Prevention and Response Information

What is sexual assault

What is Sexual Harassment

Consent

Reporting Options

Report Retaliation

Programs, Policies, and Resources