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Sexual assault is an underreported crime, meaning it occurs more often than it is reported to appropriate authorities. While the Department of Defense prefers that sexual assault incidents are reported to the command to hold offenders appropriately accountable, it recognizes that some victims desire only healthcare and advocacy services and do not want command or law enforcement involvement. The DoD believes its first priority is for warfighters to be treated with dignity and respect and to receive the medical treatment, mental health counseling, and the advocacy services they need to recover.
Under DoD SAPR Policy, Service members and their adult military dependents and DoD civilian employees have two reporting options: Unrestricted Reporting and Restricted Reporting. Regardless of which reporting option is chosen, or if no report is filed, there are dedicated response personnel available to provide advocacy, information, and resources to victims of sexual assault. More information is available in the Victim Reporting Options Guide.
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 healthcare (medical and mental health), 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. |
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| 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, healthcare (medical and mental health), and advocacy services. |
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CATCH A SERIAL OFFENDER (CATCH) PROGRAM
The CATCH Program gives warfighters and others who experienced sexual assault an opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help the DoD identify serial offenders.
RETALIATION REPORTING
No one should ever fear retaliation because they made a sexual assault report. Victims are able to report retaliation they experience because they filed a sexual assault report or because their spouse/parent filed a sexual assault report. In addition, those close to the victim and assisting the victim may also be the target of retaliation, so they can also report it. 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)
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