No Service member should have to fear retaliation because they made a sexual assault report. DoD 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. DoD 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 DoD 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
On June 24, 2022, DoD issued Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 6495.02 Volume 3, “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response: Retaliation Response for Adult Sexual Assault Cases” aimed at improving how DoD documents and assists survivors, employees, witnesses, and other people who perceive retaliation associated with sexual assault. To further address retaliation and other victim assistance requirements, the Secretary of Defense directed updated training and skills for Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs) to assess and assist warfighters with retaliation concerns. This training has since been developed and is being disseminated to the Services in FY2025. We will not stop our work until we create an environment where every warfighter feels free to report their incident, get the help they need to recover, and return to duty, mission-ready.
DoD also informs individuals on what to do if they believe they are experiencing retaliation, including informing them to go directly to the DoD 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.