By Duty Status
The DoD works to ensure that every adult sexual assault victim receives the world-class advocacy they deserve, the privacy they prefer, and the responsive support they need. Reporting is encouraged - either an Unrestricted Report or Restricted Report - because reporting this crime is essential to deliver care and hold offenders appropriately accountable.

Whether Active Duty, Reserve Component, Transitioning out of the Service, Veteran, DoD Civilian employee, or adult military Dependent, find information and resources designed to meet the unique needs of an adult victim of sexual assault below.

If you are not affiliated with the DoD, resources and assistance may be available to you through the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN).		  
  Active duty Service members, National Guard members, and Reserve Component members are eligible to receive Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) advocacy services from a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or SAPR Victim Advocate (VA) regardless of whether the assault took place while on active duty, prior to enlistment or commissioning, or while performing inactive duty training. All Service members are eligible to file either an Unrestricted Report or Restricted Report.

A SARC or SAPR VA addresses safety needs, explains the reporting options and services available, and offers resources to navigate the military criminal justice process. SARCs and SAPR VAs offer expertise to prepare victims for the road ahead and will advocate on behalf of a victim along the way. They provide professional assistance with obtaining healthcare (medical and mental health care), counseling services, legal representation, spiritual support, and obtaining off-base resources, if so desired.

In support of a victim of sexual assault who files an Unrestricted Report, a Case Management Group (CMG) is convened with the responsibility of ensuring the victim receives the care they deserve and are made aware of the progress in investigative and legal proceedings.

In addition to assigning a SARC and/or SAPR VA, the DoD makes the following support available to active duty Service members:
  • Sexual Assault Reporting Options – Unrestricted Reports allow adult victims of sexual assault to report crimes without requesting confidentiality of their allegations. DoD law enforcement initiates an investigation, and the chain of command is notified. Unrestricted Reporting allows victims to receive medical treatment, advocacy services, legal support, and eligibility for expedited transfer. In addition, Unrestricted Reporting allows victims of sexual assault to report retaliation in the SAPR program. Restricted Reports allow 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 allows the victim to receive legal advice, medical treatment, and advocacy services.
  • Retaliation Reporting – No warfighter should ever fear retaliation because they made a sexual assault report. Service members can report retaliation to receive assistance. In addition, those close to the victim and assisting the victim may also be the target of retaliation, so they can also report it. More information is available here.
  • Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program – The CATCH Program gives adult sexual assault victims who filed Restricted Reports, certain Unrestricted Reports where the name of the suspect is not reported to law enforcement or uncovered by law enforcement, or no report an opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help the DoD identify serial offenders.
  • DoD Safe Helpline – Free, anonymous, confidential, 24/7 worldwide helpline for members of the DoD community. Access the Safe Helpline here.
  • Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC) / Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC) / Victims’ Counsel (VC) – Each of the Services provides victims their own lawyers, who are experienced trial attorneys to be able to guide victims through the military justice process. Learn more about the Services’ SVC/VLC/VC programs here.
  • Victims’ Rights – Victims are notified of their victim’s rights and are assigned Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) personnel when a case goes to trial. More information is available here.
  • Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) – The VWAP keeps victims informed of the status of the investigation and prosecution. Learn more about VWAP here.
  • Expedited Transfer – Service members who have been the victim of sexual assault and have filed an Unrestricted Report have the option to request a permanent or temporary expedited transfer from their unit and/or installation (a Permanent Change of Station or a Permanent Change of Assignment). More information about Expedited Transfers is available here.
  • Safe-to-Report – A victim’s collateral misconduct may impede sexual assault reporting due to fear of punishment. The Safe-to-Report Policy establishes protections and mandatory procedures to address alleged collateral misconduct by Service member victims of sexual assault.
  • Convalescent Leave – Allows warfighters flexibility to take non-chargeable time off for seeking services or time off for recovery from sexual assault. Convalescent leave may begin immediately following release from a medical facility, completion of a sexual assault forensic examination (SAFE), or completion of an appointment with a medical or mental healthcare provider after a sexual assault is reported. Convalescent leave should not be needed to allow members to attend, in normal duty status during normal duty hours, any scheduled medical or non-medical appointments, services, or counseling related to their sexual assault incidents to support them in their recovery. These activities are the appointed place of duty for personnel.

Additional Resources
 
 
A transitioning Service member is an individual separating or retiring from the military who is within 12 months of separation or within 24 months of retirement.
 
Similar to active duty Service members, Service members transitioning out of the Service are eligible to receive SAPR advocacy services from a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or SAPR Victim Advocate (VA) regardless of whether the assault took place while on active duty, prior to enlistment or commissioning, while on transitioning status, or performing inactive duty training. See resources for Active Duty Service members above.
 
Transitioning Service members are eligible to file either an Unrestricted Report or Restricted Report. If they do file an Unrestricted Report and an investigation is initiated, this may delay their separation from the Service. If they do not want to file an official report of sexual assault, they may consider the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program, which gives warfighters the opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help the DoD identify serial offenders.
  
 
Although not covered by DoD policy, a Veteran suffering from military sexual trauma (MST) can find assistance and resources through the Department of Veterans Affairs.

In December 2014, the VA announced expanded eligibility for Veterans in need of mental health care due to sexual assault or sexual harassment that occurred during their Military Service. This expansion, which primarily pertains to National Guard and Reserve Component members participating in weekend drill, gives the authority to offer Veterans the appropriate care and services needed to treat conditions resulting from MST that occurred during a period of inactive duty training. Read the full VA press release here.

For more information, read the Quick Facts About VA’s Health Care Services for Military Sexual Assault.

Veterans experiencing the effects of MST can find support and shared experiences here. Additional resources and assistance can be found at SafeHelpline.org.

Veterans can use the following forms to document to their claims for healthcare (medical and mental health) and to file for disability with the VA:
  • DD Form 2910, “Victim Reporting Preference Statement”.
  • DD Form 2910-1, “Replacement of Lost DD Form 2910, Victim Reporting Preference Statement”.
  • DD Form 2910-2, “Retaliation Reporting Statement for Unrestricted Sexual Assault Cases.”
  • A copy of their CATCH entry (see below)

The CATCH Program gives warfighters the opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help the DoD identify serial offenders. Veterans are eligible to submit a CATCH entry even if they never filed an official report of sexual assault while in the Service. 

  
  The DoD is committed to responding to the needs of all members of the DoD community, and that is certainly true of the many dedicated civilians who support our mission.
 
For DoD Civilian employees in DoD Components that have a SAPR Program (CONUS and OCONUS):
DoD Civilian employees can report being sexually assaulted to a SARC or SAPR VA through the new DD Form 2910-8. SARCs and SAPR VAs will provide assistance to file Restricted or Unrestricted Reports, immediate crisis intervention, and referrals to available resources for DoD civilian employees.
 
For DoD Civilian employees in DoD components that do not have a SAPR Program (OCONUS):
DoD Civilian employees who are stationed or performing duties outside of the continental United States, and who are eligible for treatment in the military healthcare system (MHS) at military installations or facilities continental United States, are eligible for limited SAPR services, which includes the assistance of a SARC and a SAPR VA while undergoing emergency medical care and referral to available resources.
 
Adult dependents (18 years of age and older) of civilian employees:
If stationed OCONUS with their DoD Civilian employee and if they are eligible for treatment in the MHS at military installations or facilities OCONUS, adult dependents of civilian employees are eligible to make an Unrestricted Report of sexual assault and will be offered limited SAPR services, which includes the assistance of a SARC and a SAPR VA while undergoing emergency medical care and referral to available resources.
 
Other DoD non-SAPR services for DoD Civilian employees include:
  
 

The DoD is committed to responding to the needs of adult military dependents.

Sexual assault response services are provided for adult military dependents who are 18 years of age or older, who are eligible for treatment in the military healthcare system and at CONUS and OCONUS installations, and who were victims of sexual assault perpetrated by someone other than a spouse or intimate partner.

The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) addresses adult military dependents who are sexually assaulted by a spouse or intimate partner and military dependents who are 17 years of age or younger. The installation Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and the installation FAP and domestic violence intervention and prevention staff will direct coordination when a sexual assault occurs within a domestic relationship or involves a minor.

The assistance of a SARC or SAPR Victim Advocate (VA) is available:

  • If the Military Criminal Investigative Organization (MCIO) has jurisdiction over a military dependent’s Unrestricted Report of sexual assault, a SARC or SAPR VA can provide professional assistance with obtaining medical care, counseling services, legal and spiritual support, and obtaining off-base resources, if so desired.
  • If the MCIO does not have jurisdiction, the case falls to local law enforcement. A SARC or SAPR VA can help by identifying the appropriate referrals to the civilian community for assistance and/or while undergoing emergency care outside the continental United States.
In addition to assigning a SARC and/or SAPR VA, the DoD makes the following support available to active duty Service members:
  • Sexual Assault Reporting Options – Unrestricted Reports allow adult victims of sexual assault to report crimes without requesting confidentiality of their allegations. DoD law enforcement initiates an investigation, and the chain of command is notified. Unrestricted Reporting allows victims to receive medical treatment, advocacy services, legal support, and eligibility for expedited transfer. In addition, Unrestricted Reporting allows victims of sexual assault to report retaliation in the SAPR program. Restricted Reports allow 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 allows the victim to receive legal advice, medical treatment, and advocacy services.
  • Retaliation Reporting – No warfighter should ever fear retaliation because they made a sexual assault report. Service members can report retaliation to receive assistance. In addition, those close to the victim and assisting the victim may also be the target of retaliation, so they can also report it. More information is available here.
  • Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program – The CATCH Program gives adult sexual assault victims who filed Restricted Reports, certain Unrestricted Reports where the name of the suspect is not reported to law enforcement or uncovered by law enforcement, or no report an opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help the DoD identify serial offenders.
  • DoD Safe Helpline – Free, anonymous, confidential, 24/7 worldwide helpline for members of the DoD community. Access the Safe Helpline here.
  • Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC) / Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC) / Victims’ Counsel (VC) – Each of the Services provides victims their own lawyers, who are experienced trial attorneys to be able to guide victims through the military justice process. Learn more about the Services’ SVC/VLC/VC programs here.
  • Victims’ Rights – Victims are notified of their victim’s rights and are assigned Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) personnel when a case goes to trial. More information is available here.
  • Victim/Witness Assistance Program (VWAP) – The VWAP keeps victims informed of the status of the investigation and prosecution. Learn more about VWAP here.
  • Expedited Transfer – Service members who have been the victim of sexual assault and have filed an Unrestricted Report have the option to request a permanent or temporary expedited transfer from their unit and/or installation (a Permanent Change of Station or a Permanent Change of Assignment). More information about Expedited Transfers is available here.
Additional Resources
 
 
       

QUICK LINKS

  
       
  Fact Sheet: Safe-to-Report
 		  
  Fact Sheet: Victim Assistance Overview
 		  
  Fact Sheet: Victim Reporting Options Guide
 		  
  Men's SAPR Campaign
 		  
  CATCH Program Victim Info Sheet
 		  
  D-SAACP Credential Suspension and Revocation Process
 		  
  DoD Veterans' Affairs Resources
 		  
  Know Your Rights, Know Your Options
 		  
  Facts About Sexual Assault Perpetrated Against Men