SAPRO was established in 2005 as the central authority charged with preventing sexual assault in the military and facilitating recovery for warfighters. SAPRO’s mission is to provide unparalleled warfighter support, advocacy, and recovery assistance – anytime, anywhere. SAPRO serves as the Department’s single point of accountability for sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) policy and program oversight. SAPRO collaborates with the Military Services and civilian organizations to develop and implement innovative prevention and response programs. A detailed timeline of SAPRO’s history is available here.

The Department’s Military Personnel Policy office manages Military Equal Opportunity policy and programs, which includes sexual harassment. Leaders at all levels are held appropriately accountable for fostering an environment free from harassment, as well as retaliation. Each Military Department and the other Department components must comply with this policy and ensure appropriate resolution of harassment complaints. The Military Departments implement and may augment these policies as appropriate. The Family Advocacy Program (FAP) is the Department’s congressionally mandated program responsible for providing clinical and nonclinical services to prevent and respond to child abuse and neglect and domestic abuse in military families.

Military sexual trauma (MST) is a term used by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to refer to experiences of sexual assault or repeated, threatening acts of sexual harassment throughout the course of one's military career. The term is used for screening and treating the psychological trauma and other mental health problems that stem from sexual assault and/or sexual harassment. The Department of War (DoW) uses the term “sexual assault” to refer to a range of crimes, including rape, sexual assault, forcible sodomy, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, and attempts to commit these offenses, as defined in the Uniform Code of Military Justice.

Yes. The Services and the National Guard Bureau have permanent SAPR offices and work closely with SAPRO. Space Force SAPR services are available under the Department of the Air Force Integrated Resilience Directorate.

• Air Force SAPR (includes Space Force SAPR)
• Army SHARP
• Coast Guard SAPR
• Marine Corps SAPR
• National Guard SAPR
• Navy SAPR

Each Service executes the policy and programs required by Department policy but customizes them for their specific Service and mission environments. More information about sexual assault victim assistance is available here.

 

For the most recent data on how many Service members experience and report sexual assault, please visit SAPRO Reports to view the Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military.

For the most recent data on prevalence of sexual assault in the military, visit SAPRO Reports to view the Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military and the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies. Prevalence rates are included biennially on the years that the Workplace Experiences Survey or Service Academy Experiences Survey are conducted.

Prevalence is estimated via a scientific survey and represents the number of Service members who likely experienced unwanted sexual contact in the 12 months prior to the survey being conducted. Prevalence rates are used to provide an estimate of the scope of the problem of sexual assault. The Department works to decrease prevalence through prevention efforts.

Sexual assault is a crime that harms our warfighters, erodes force readiness, and hinders the lethality of our fighting force. Sexual assault has no place in the military. No one should have to be concerned about sexual assault when they decide to serve their country.

Since November 2024, the Department has seen the highest recruiting percentage of mission achieved in more than 15 years. Trust in the military is a key factor for recruits and their families and must be maintained. No one who raises their hand to serve this nation should ever have to face sexual assault. That is why the Department is committed to eliminating sexual assault from our ranks, not just to protect our people, but because it is fundamental to our readiness and to revive the warrior ethos.

A report of sexual assault is when an incident of sexual assault is filed with a Department authority through a DD Form 2910. Law enforcement personnel and criminal investigators may only receive Unrestricted Reports. Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and SAPR Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs) may receive both Unrestricted Reports and Restricted Reports. Telling a friend or family member about one’s experience of sexual assault is not considered a report. More information about reporting options is available here.

Service members may speak to SARCs and/or SAPR VAs without filing a report to discuss available resources, medical and mental healthcare, and legal assistance. Victims are eligible for a Special Victims' Counsel (SVC)/ Victims' Legal Counsel (VLC)/ Victims' Counsel (VC) even if they do not file a report. Additionally, military chaplains provide confidential spiritual advice and counseling to victims of sexual assault. While Chaplains cannot take reports of sexual assault, they can assist in connecting victims with a SARC or SAPR VA.

 

The DoD Safe Helpline is the only 24/7, anonymous, and confidential support to members of the military community affected by sexual assault. A Safe Helpline user can access one-on-one support, peer-to-peer support, information, resources, and self-care exercises to aid in their recovery. The DoD Safe Helpline provides a number of ways for military community members affected by sexual assault to get support and resources, no matter where they are located or what time zone they are in. This includes phone support via calls or texts, online helpline assistance, the Safe HelpRoom, a mobile app, and self-paced educational courses. Please visit the Safe Helpline for more information.

 

If victims of sexual assault are not ready to file a report, they can still participate in the CATCH a Serial Offender program and anonymously submit an entry on the suspect.

No. The Department cannot provide context about reporting numbers without a prevalence survey. The Department encourages greater reporting of sexual assault to connect victims with restorative care and to hold alleged offenders appropriately accountable. Sexual assault is an underreported crime in both the military and civilian sectors of society, meaning that it occurs more than is reported to authorities. As a result, sexual assault reports provide an incomplete measure of how many Service members experience sexual assault.

 

To understand the true scope of the issue, the Department relies on prevalence data. Prevalence is estimated via a scientific survey and represents the number of Service members who likely experienced unwanted sexual contact in the 12 months prior to the survey being conducted. Prevalence rates are used to provide an estimate of the scope of the problem of sexual assault. The Department works to decrease prevalence through prevention efforts.

 

More information about prevalence and reports of sexual assault is available here.

Yes. A Service member may always contact their Service IG or the Department's IG. In addition, operators at the DoD Safe Helpline can refer callers to the appropriate resources or Service representative for assistance. Service members who feel that they are not being treated in accordance with policy may also contact their representative or senator in Congress for assistance.

The Department recognizes the responsibility for locating the appropriate services should not be placed upon victims. By implementing a "No Wrong Door" approach, SAPRO aims to ensure no individual encounters an obstacle to receiving the support they need and to provide seamless coordination among helping resources. "No Wrong Door" is an approach used by all responders so that a person seeking services from an organization will be assisted either by direct support or by a warm handoff with the goal of obtaining timely care or advocacy.

No. If a Service member makes an Unrestricted Report, the Service member may report the allegations to their commander, or to a SARC who will then inform the commander. If the alleged offender is the commander, the victim may seek to report their assault to another superior within the chain of command or report the assault outside their chain of command. If the victim seeks to make a Restricted Report, then only those eligible to receive Restricted Reports may receive the details of the assault and the commander is not notified of the victim’s identity. More information about reporting options is available here.

SAPRO focuses on integrated primary prevention solutions that ensure leaders have the tools they need to build healthy commands and prevent harmful behaviors before they occur. The Department continues to implement the Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW) to inform and support command focus on countering sexual assault and other harmful behaviors at installations across the world. The IPPW enhances command leadership by providing guidance on effective prevention policies, programs, and practices, with an emphasis on prioritizing resources to those areas demonstrating the highest potential risk. With the support from the IPPW, leaders can confidently harness data and promising practices to make informed decisions about their command climates.

The Secretary has directed a force-wide revival of the warrior ethos and the restoration of trust. Sexual assault is fundamentally incompatible with this ethos. To prevent sexual assault, the Department is treating sexual assault prevention as a readiness imperative. Service members must be able to operate with confidence, focus on the fight, and sustain the high standards expected of them. Deterring and diminishing the threat of sexual assault elevates our readiness posture.

Department policy mandates baseline training requirements to ensure uniformity across the Services. However, minor differences in terminology and procedures exist between the Military Services to accommodate each Service’s unique structure and mission. The policy was updated in 2021 and aligns training needs with Common Military Training (CMT) to define minimum standards and meet Congressional requirements.

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Training and Education Center of Excellence (SAPRTEC) is a capability within SAPRO to develop, deliver, and oversee training, education, and related requirements for integrated primary prevention and sexual assault response through the Department to enable standardization and continuous improvement.

Webinars are available on sexual assault, suicide, harassment, domestic abuse, child abuse and neglect, and integrated prevention. All webinars can be viewed on Joint Knowledge Online (JKO).

The Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) was established to standardize sexual assault response to victims and professionalize victim advocacy roles of SARCs and SAPR VAs. DoDI 6495.03 requires all D-SAACP applicants to obtain a Tier 3 background check which includes an FBI fingerprint check and a Defense Central Index of Investigations Check or equivalent.

Certified practitioners are also enrolled in continuous evaluation, which allows for automated records checks to ensure continued eligibility to hold a Sensitive position. D-SAACP recipients must also complete a minimum of 40 hours of training to gain and develop the core knowledge, skills, and ethical foundation needed to serve sexual assault victims in the military community.

D-SAACP requirements do not end after the initial training. Certification holders must complete 32 hours of continuing education every two years. These trainings, which include victim advocacy ethics, are more advanced or cover new developments in the field to ensure SAPR personnel maintain their readiness to serve victims.

With the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program, victims of sexual assault can anonymously submit information about the suspect to criminal investigators. If the suspect information provided by the victim matches another submission, the SARC will notify the victim and check if they want to further participate in an investigation.

No Service member should have to fear retaliation because they made a sexual assault report. The Department is committed to eliminating retaliatory behavior, improving resources for reporters of retaliation, and providing tools for commanders, supervisors, and peers to prevent and respond to retaliation. Victims, witnesses, bystanders, or responders who experience retaliation can file a formal report of retaliation with the appropriate authority and be notified of resources. The Department has taken steps to assist and protect members who believe they are experiencing retaliation, including:
 

• Legal representation: Victims of sexual assault may consult with and be represented by an SVC/VLC/VC
• Case Management Group Assistance: Victim assistance personnel inquire monthly with sexual assault victims about retaliatory experiences, if any
• Special Investigators: The Department IG fielded a team of reprisal investigators who receive extensive training on sexual assault and the impact it has on victims
• Senior leader assistance: Victims who reported a sexual assault or sought mental health treatment for sexual assault may have the opportunity to communicate with a General Officer/Flag Officer regarding issues related to their military career that the victim believes are associated with the sexual assault
• Senior leader discharge review
• Expedited transfer: A victim making an Unrestricted Report may, at any time, request a transfer to a new duty location or station

DoDI 6495.02 Volume 3, “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response: Retaliation Response for Adult Sexual Assault Cases” details how the Department documents and assists survivors, employees, witnesses, and other people who perceive retaliation associated with sexual assault. Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs) also receive training to assess and assist warfighters with retaliation concerns. SAPRO will not stop its work until every warfighter feels free to report their incident, get the help they need to recover, and return to duty, mission-ready.

The Department also informs individuals on what to do if they believe they are experiencing retaliation, including informing them to go directly to the Department IG or providing them with more information about available help and reporting avenues from their SARC.

More information on victim rights and support is available here.

The Services have dedicated professionals trained to support victims, including SARCs, SAPR VAs, sexual assault medical forensic examiners, and Special Victims' Counsel (SVC)/Victims’ Legal Counsel (VLC)/Victims’ Counsel (VC). The Services also have a Special Victim Investigation and Prosecution (SVIP) capability made up of military investigators, prosecutors, and other personnel specially trained to handle these challenging cases.

These professionals, along with the installation commander or senior mission commander, come together at Case Management Group (CMG) Meetings to discuss the progress on Unrestricted sexual assault cases, address safety concerns, if any, of all parties, facilitate victim access to care and services, and review allegations of retaliation for reporting a sexual assault, if any. More information is available here.

The Department has undertaken several initiatives to address unit climate. One such initiative provides our newest leaders and first-line supervisors with the leadership tools they need to create safe and respectful work environments. This includes the redesigned Defense Organizational Climate Survey 5.0 Force-wide Survey. The survey establishes baselines for select locations and helps to identify installations and units performing well and those needing improvement.


The Department is executing targeted On-Site Installation Evaluations (OSIEs) to diagnose vulnerabilities impacting unit cohesion and mission readiness. These in-depth evaluations provide an unvarnished look at operational vulnerabilities and tactical successes across the Total Force, delivering actionable intelligence on exactly how and why corrosive behaviors are degrading military readiness and lethality. The data gathered during the OSIEs is regularly briefed at the highest levels of the Department, and installation leaders are held accountable for implementing reforms at those installations and ensuring that they are creating positive command climates where harmful behaviors are not tolerated.

Additional information is available on prevention.mil.

No. Federal law and Department policy require commanders to provide all reports of sexual assault to the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs) – Army Criminal Investigations Division (CID), Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS), Air Force Office of Special Investigations (OSI) – for investigation. These organizations are responsible for conducting a thorough and impartial investigation.

Starting on December 28, 2023, the Offices of Special Trial Counsel (OSTCs) took charge over covered offenses, including sexual assault, alleged to occur on or after that date. The OSTCs may also choose to exercise authority over most such offenses allegedly committed before that date. Under this system, expert prosecutors outside the military chain of command will decide, using available evidence, which cases to try by court-martial.

These reforms modernize the military justice system and are important steps in restoring faith that the system will be fair, just, and equitable. These specialized military lawyers within the respective OSTC will also partner with the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations during the investigation of reported sexual assaults and will also handle some other serious criminal offenses, including murder, domestic violence, and kidnapping.

Yes. The Department has created a legal support function for victims of sexual assault that provides legal advice and guidance and maintains a victim's confidentiality. A victim can access this support whether they file an Unrestricted Report, a Restricted Report, or even if they have not yet made an official report. The Army, National Guard, and Coast Guard refer to these professionals as SVC, the Navy and Marine Corps refer to them as VLC, and the Air Force and Space Force refer to them as VC. SVCs/VLCs/VCs have experience trying cases in both military and civilian trials. They understand the legal process and are able to guide victims.

In February 2021, the Secretary established the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC-SAM) to conduct a 90-day review to drive meaningful change in how the military prevents, responds to, and promotes appropriate accountability for sexual assault and sexual harassment. The IRC-SAM made recommendations to the Department across four lines of effort: accountability, prevention, climate and culture, and victim care and support. The Department remains committed to implementing the recommendations of the IRC-SAM, as approved by the Secretary. More information is available here.

SAPRO's role in the implementation of the approved IRC-SAM recommendations includes: 

 

• Tracking implementation by fielding an automated system to capture stakeholder input
• Professionalizing the Sexual Assault Response Workforce (SARW) to to operate independently of the command hierarchy, free from undue influence, and skilled with best practices in victim advocacy
• Created the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Training and Education Center of Excellence (SAPRTEC) to develop, deliver, and provide oversight on training and education requirements published in DoDI 6495.02, Volumes 1 and 2, DoDI 6495.03, DoDI 6400.09, and DoDI 6400.11

 

The term sexual assault as defined in DoDI 6495.01 refers to 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 refers to a broad category of sexual offenses prohibited by Article 120 and Article 80 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ), which includes rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), or attempts to commit these acts.

The term unwanted sexual contact represents the range of penetrative, non-penetrative, and attempted sexual crimes prohibited by military law and is used to estimate prevalence in the Workplace Experiences Survey and the Service Academy Experiences Survey.

Sexual assault is an underreported crime, meaning that it occurs more often than it is reported to appropriate authorities. This is true for both the military and civilian sectors of the U.S. population. As a result, sexual assault reports provide an incomplete measure of how many Service members experience a sexual assault. To better capture the number of Service members that may experience a sexual assault the Department uses an estimate of prevalence. [Source: Military data is available in the 2023 WGR. Civilian data is available from the September 2023 Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, Criminal Victimization Report.]

 

Sexual assault prevalence is assessed via a scientific survey and represents the number of Service members who indicated experiencing at least once incident of unwanted sexual contact in the 12 months prior to being surveyed. Prevalence rates are used to provide an estimate of the scope of the problem of sexual assault in the Armed Forces. The Workplace Experiences Survey occurs biennially to gather prevalence data. The Department works to decrease prevalence through prevention efforts.

 

The reporting rate is the estimated percentage of victimized Service members that make a Restricted or Unrestricted Report.

 

The Department encourages greater reporting to connect victims with assistance and care and to hold alleged offenders appropriately accountable. For the latest reporting and prevalence rates, please visit SAPRO Reports.

Restricted Reports permit 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 Reports allow the victim to receive Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC)/Victim’s Legal Counsel (VLC)/Victims’ Counsel (VC) legal advice and medical and advocacy services. Only Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs), SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs), and healthcare providers can accept a Restricted Report. More information is available here.

Unrestricted Reports allow adult victims of sexual assault to report crimes without requesting confidentiality of their allegations. Military law enforcement initiates an investigation, and the chain of command is notified. Unrestricted Reports allow victims to receive medical treatment, advocacy services, legal support, and eligibility for an expedited transfer. In addition, Unrestricted Reports allow victims to report retaliation in the SAPR program. More information is available here.