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MARFORRES 24/7 Sexual Assault Helpline:
1-877-432-2215
Text:
1-504-655-3521
Safe Helpline: 1-877-995-5247
Text: 55-247 (inside US)
202-470-5546 (outside the US)
New Orleans Crisis Hotline:
504-655-3521
Military One Source:
1-800-324-9647
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CMC's SAPR Campaign Plan
CMFR's Statement
Program Information
Policy
Your Rights
Your Options
Links
Program Information
The Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program (SAPR) is a resource for military members who have been victims of sexual assault. Through the SAPR program, military members can receive advocacy services, referral services, information on reporting and the legal process, and education on prevention and response to sexual assault.
The Marine Forces Reserve SAPR program consist of a Program Manager, Uniformed Victim Advocates (UVA) and Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC). These roles are considered confidential, meaning they cannot discuss your information with anyone. Your privacy and confidentiality are important to the SAPR Program, and will be treated with the utmost respect. There are exceptions to this confidentiality. A SARC or UVA may breech confidentiality in an effort to prevent harm to self or others, such as preventing suicide. A SARC or UVA may be court ordered by a judge to give testimony in a court of law. Some information may be required by the Disability Retirement Board. You may also give your SARC or UVA written permission to discuss your situation with persons or agencies of your choosing. Even if any of these exceptions apply, only the necessary information is provided. These exceptions do not imply blanket consent to release your confidential information.
UVAs are the first responders who provide direct advocacy services to Marines. UVAs are SSgt or higher ranks, making them more easily available to most Marines. There are two per squadron or battalion, and their pictures are posted throughout your command, with their contact information. Your UVA can explain your rights as a Federal victim of a crime, as well as your reporting options. UVAs also advocate for Marines by making any necessary referrals for services such as medical, counseling, or chaplain. UVAs may, at your request, attend any of your appointments, including legal or law enforcement interviews, to provide you with support. You may also elect to receive advocacy services from a civilian Victim Advocate or through the Family Advocacy Program. UVA services end when you want them to.
SARCs are from the LtCol and Col ranks. They are responsible for supervising UVAs to make sure Marines are receiving the best advocacy services possible. SARCs are also responsible for implementing the SAPR program within their respective commands by ensuring education and trainings are conducted, and that program requirements are followed. SARCs may be contacted to report a sexual assault, after which a UVA will be assigned to provide advocacy services.
Policy
Sexual Assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Victims of sexual assault cannot consent if they are incapacitated by either alcohol, drugs, illness, or injury.
Sexual assault includes rape, forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex), and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive, or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact), or attempts to commit these acts.
“Consent” means 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 by itself or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue shall not constitute consent.
Your Rights
As a crime victim, you have the following rights:
◊The right to be treated with fairness and with respect for your dignity and privacy;
◊The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender;
◊The right to be notified of court proceedings;
◊The right to be present at all public court proceedings related to the offense, unless the court determines that your testimony would be materially affected if you as the victim heard other testimony at trial;
◊The right to confer with the attorney for the government in the case;
◊The right to available restitution;
◊The right to information about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, and release of the offender.
Taken from DD Form 2701
Your Options
Restricted Reporting
Under restricted reporting, no investigation of your assault will occur. Your command, law enforcement personnel, and other military authorities will not be notified that you are a victim of sexual assault.
Medical treatment and even forensic evidence may be collected without having to officially report the sexual assault. The forensic evidence will not be a part of your medical record. If a report has not been made unrestricted within 1 year of evidence collection, it will be destroyed and no longer available for future prosecution efforts.
The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) will report information concerning the sexual assault to the respective command within 24 hours of the incident for the purpose of command to take step to address security issues such as lighting or broken locks. The identity of the victim and offender will remain private.
The full range of protections afforded to victims may not be available, such as being separated from the offender or a military protective order issued prohibiting the offender from having any contact with you.
ONLY VICTIM ADVOCATES (VAs), UNIFORMED VICTIM ADVOCATES (UVA), HEALTHCARE PROVIDERS (INCLUDING COUNSELORS), CHAPLAINS, AND SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATORS (SARCs) HAVE CONFIDENTIALITY. All other military members are required to report any sexual assaults to law enforcement or their command. Therefore, if you tell anyone other than these people, your case may be turned over to law enforcement for an investigation and your command will be notified.
Unrestricted Reporting
Unrestricted reporting is a process where you disclose that you were the victim of sexual assault for purposes of starting an official criminal investigation. Your command will be notified and provided with the names of the victim and offender. This will allow your commander to initiate the full range of protections and rights available to you as a victim, in addition to all the services and assistance available in restricted reporting such as advocacy, medical, and counseling. Your report is not confidential. However, your privacy is foremost in unrestricted reporting. An offender’s command is responsible for deciding if a case is prosecuted or not.
Links
SAPR.mil
HQMC SAPR
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