CALL 911 IF YOU ARE IN IMMEDIATE DANGER
There are two types of reporting options: Restricted or Unrestricted
It is important to understand your reporting options. Continue to read below. Please contact the DoD Safe Helpline or your local 24/7 response line to preserve your reporting options.
CALL: 1-877-995-5247
TEXT: 55-247(001-202-470-5546 outside the U.S.)
CLICK: http://www.safehelpline.org/
You may also report to a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), SAPR Victim Advocate (VA) or healthcare personnel.
Regardless of how you choose to report sexual assault, you will be offered a full range of advocacy, medical and counseling services. Remember, if you initially make a restricted report, you can change it to an unrestricted report at a later date. However, if you initially make an unrestricted report, you cannot change it to a restricted report.
Restricted Reporting
Restricted reporting gives a victim time and opportunity to get information about available services and fully explore his or her rights, so he or she can make informed decisions without the pressure of an investigation or any legal processes. Once a victim becomes fully informed about the services available to him or her, he or she may elect to change his or her restricted report to an unrestricted report.
Available for:
- Active Duty Military or Coast Guard
- Reservists
- National Guard
Military dependents 18 years of age and older (via SAPR, if sexual assault is perpetrated by someone other than a spouse or intimate partner; or via the Family Advocacy Program, if sexual assault is perpetrated by a spouse or intimate partner)
Service members who are on active duty but were victims of sexual assault PRIOR to enlistment or commissioning.
Note: If you do not fall into any of these categories and would like to receive assistance with a sexual assault please contact the Safe Helpline. Their staff can refer you to local civilian resources that offer confidential services.
Can be reported to:
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA)
- Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
- Military or civilian Healthcare Personnel (including FFSC counselors)
Note: Victims may forfeit their rights to use restricted reporting by talking to someone other than those designated.
Note that Chaplains and Legal Assistance Attorneys cannot receive a restricted report, but have privilege and can preserve the restricted reporting option.
Services available:
- Victim Advocacy
- Medical Care
- Sexual Assault Forensic Exam
- Counseling
- Legal Assistance
- Chaplain support
Benefits and Limitations of RESTRICTED Reporting
Benefits of Restricted Reporting
- Victim receives appropriate medical treatment, advocacy and counseling.
- Provides victim with time to consider options and to begin the healing process.
- Empowers victim to seek relevant information and support, and to make more informed decisions about participating in a criminal investigation.
- Victim controls the release and management of his/her personal information.
- Victim decides whether and when to move forward with initiating an investigation.
Limitations of Restricted Reporting
- Victim cannot receive a Military Protective Order (MPO) or be reassigned for safety.
- Perpetrator may continue to have contact with the victim.
- Evidence from the crime scene may be lost.
- Victims are limited to a few specified individuals with whom they can discuss the sexual assault.
- Perpetrator may remain unpunished and at large.
Unrestricted Reporting
Available for:
- Active Duty Military or Coast Guard
- Reservists performing federal duty
- National Guard under Title 10 status
- Military dependents 18 years of age and older (via SAPR, if sexual assault is perpetrated by someone other than a spouse or intimate partner, or via the Family Advocacy Program, if sexual assault is perpetrated by a spouse or intimate partner)
- Service members who are on active duty but were victims of sexual assault PRIOR to enlistment or commissioning.
The following non-military individuals who are victims of sexual assault are eligible for limited SAPR Services (assistance of a SARC and a SAPR VA while undergoing emergency care OCONUS):
- DoD civilian employees and their family dependent 18 years of age or older when they are stationed or performing duties OCONUS and eligible for treatment in the MHS at military installations or facilities OCONUS.
- U.S. citizen DoD contractor personnel when they are authorized to accompany the Armed Forces in a contingency operation OCONUS and their U.S. citizen employees.
Can be reported to:
- Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA)
- Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
- Military or civilian law enforcement
- Military or civilian Healthcare Personnel (including FFSC counselors)
Chain of Command
Note: With unrestricted reporting, the sexual assault must be reported to the command for all active duty members and to NCIS / military law enforcement for investigation for all active duty members and other beneficiaries.
Services available:
- Victim Advocacy
- Medical Care
- Sexual Assault Forensic Exam
- Counseling
- Legal Assistance
- Chaplain support
Benefits and Limitations of UNRESTRICTED Reporting
Benefits of Unrestricted Reporting
- Ensures the widest range of rights and protections to the victim.
- Command assistance regarding safety and assignment (e.g., Military Protective Orders-MPOs, separation from offender, deferred collateral misconduct, etc.).
- Accountability of perpetrator.
- Enhanced community safety.
- Limitations of Unrestricted Reporting
- Victim cannot change to Restricted Reporting.
- Victim may consider investigation or legal process too intrusive.
- Assault will be known and discussed among those with a need to know.
- Investigation and court proceedings may be lengthy (approximately 6-18 months).
- Offender(s) may not be convicted.
- Possible personnel movement.