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Sexual Assault, Prevention and Response (SAPR)

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program reinforces the Air Force's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through awareness and prevention training, education, victim advocacy, response, reporting and accountability. The Air Force promotes sensitive care and confidential reporting for victims of sexual assault and accountability for those who commit these crimes. 

Sexual assault is criminal conduct. It falls well short of the standards America expects of its men and women in uniform. Specifically, it violates Air Force Core Values. Inherent in our core values of Integrity First, Service before Self, and Excellence in All We Do is respect: self-respect, mutual respect and respect for our Air Force as an institution. 

Our core values and respect are the foundation of our wingman culture -- a culture in which we look out for each other and take care of each other. Incidents of sexual assault corrode the very fabric of our wingman culture; therefore, we must strive for an environment where this type of behavior is not tolerated and where all Airmen are respected.

Sexual Assault Defined

SARC LogoSexual assault is criminal conduct that falls well short of the standards America expects of its men and women in uniform and is a violation of our Air Force Core Values. 

Sexual assault is defined 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 UCMJ offenses:  rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), or attempts to commit these acts.

Consent is words or overt acts indicating a freely-given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the accused's use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear, does not constitute consent. A current or previous dating relationship or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue, shall not constitute consent. There is no consent where the person is sleeping or incapacitated, such as due to age, alcohol or drugs, or mental incapacity.

SAPR Services

SAPR provides support for adult sexual assault victims when the perpetrator is someone other than the victim's spouse or same sex domestic partner. The Family Advocacy Program manages sexual assault allegations when the alleged offender is the partner in context of a spousal relationship, same sex domestic partnership, unmarried intimate partner relationship or military dependents who are 17 years of age and younger.

AFMC Installation SAPR Offices:

Arnold AFB SAPR - https://www.arnold.af.mil/About-Us/SAPR/

Edwards AFB SAPR - https://www.edwards.af.mil/Units/SAPR/  

Eglin AFB SAPR - https://www.eglin.af.mil/About-Us/SAPR/

Hanscom AFB SAPR - https://www.hanscom.af.mil/About-Us/Sexual-Assault-Prevention-and-Response-Program/

Hill AFB SAPR - https://www.hill.af.mil/Home/Sexual-Assault-Response-Coordinator/

Robins AFB SAPR - https://www.robins.af.mil/Units/78th-Air-Base-Wing/Sexual-Assault-Awareness/

Tinker AFB SAPR - https://www.tinker.af.mil/Resources/Tinker-Helping-Agencies/

Wright-Patterson AFB SAPR - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Team (af.mil)

RESTRICTED REPORTING

-Confidential report made to the SAPR Office by the victim through signing DD Form 2910

-Available to military members, dependents (18+) and civilian employees

-The sexual assault is NOT reported to OSI or command

-Victim may receive medical care (including forensic exam), advocacy, counseling and Victim's Counsel (VD)

-May choose to go unrestricted at any time

-Victims may make a restricted report even if they disclose the assault to their commander, supervisor or chain of command, and before or after an independent investigation is initiated as long as the victim has not disclosed the assault to law enforcement

-May enter subject information into CATCH

UNRESTRICTED REPORTING

-Confidential report to the SAPR Office by the victim through signing DD Form 2910

-Available to military members, dependents (18+) and civilian employees

-The sexual assault is reported to OSI and command

-Victim may receive medical care (including forensic exam), advocacy, counseling and Victim's Counsel (VC)

-Victim may request and expedited transfer (military only) and protective order

-May enter subject information into CATCH if OSI is unaware of subject identity

independent reporting

-Mandatory reporter (commander, supervisor or chain of command, EO, law enforcement or formal training instructor) is notified of a sexual assault by someone other than the victim (third-party report)

-Mandatory reporter will report the incident to the SARC, unit commander (or equivalent) and OSI

-Victim has the option to opt out of the investigation

-Victim has the option to make a restricted report after command and OSI are notified, as long as the victim has not disclosed the assault to law enforcement

-SAPR Office will neither confirm nor deny whether or no the victim has a restricted report

CATCH program

The CATCH Program gives people making a sexual assault report, where the name of the suspect is not known by law enforcement, an opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help the Department of Defense identify serial offenders. If there is a match the victim will be contacted by their SARC and given the option to participate in an investigation .  For more information, contact your local Sexual Assault Response Office.

CATCH Information Sheet

Sample CATCH Entry Form

Pocket Form for Victims

CATCH process

RESOURCES

safehelp link

Reporting retaliation

Service members, civilian employees and adult military dependents who file a report of sexual assault will be protected from reprisal, coercion, ostracism, maltreatment or retaliation or the threat of reprisal, coercion, ostracism, maltreatment or retaliation. Individuals who believe they have been retaliated against related to a report of sexual assault may report allegations.

Who is eligible to report instances of retaliation?

-Adult sexual assault victims who have previously made an unrestricted report

-Adult sexual assault victim's adult family member

-Witness

-Bystander 

-SARC or SAPR VA on the case

-First Responder

Who can take a report?

-Commander and/or chain of command

-Local SAPR office

-Local Inspector General's Office (IG)

-OIG hotline for whistleblower reprisal complaints

  *Hotline: 800-447-8477

  *https://oig.hhs.gov

-DoD IG for whistleblower reprisal complaints (civilians)

  *Hotline: 800-424-90987

  *https://www.dodig.mil

-DoD Safe Helpline

  *Hotline: 877-995-5247

  *https://safehelpline.org