The SAPR Program was formally developed as a Department of Defense (DoD) policy in 2005. The goals of the program are to help prevent sexual assaults from occurring through training and education programs; to provide treatment and support to victims of sexual assault; and to promote military system accountability when sexual assaults are reported and investigated.

The DoD SAPR Office serves as DoD's single point of accountability on sexual assault policy matters. In addition, each Service branch has its own SAPR Office which oversees and coordinates the SAPR activities within that Service.  At the installation level, Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) or victim advocates are available to work with victims and help them consider their options and learn more about their rights.

The SAPR Program was formally developed as a Department of Defense (DoD) policy in 2005. The goals of the program are to help prevent sexual assaults from occurring through training and education programs; to provide treatment and support to victims of sexual assault; and to promote military system accountability when sexual assaults are reported and investigated.

The DoD SAPR Office serves as DoD's single point of accountability on sexual assault policy matters. In addition, each Service branch has its own SAPR Office which oversees and coordinates the SAPR activities within that Service.  At the installation level, Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) or victim advocates are available to work with victims and help them consider their options and learn more about their rights.

Anyone who is entitled to receive care at a military treatment facility is eligible to receive treatment for sexual assault to include dependents.  However, the restricted (confidential) reporting option is not available to DoD civilians or contractors.

According to DoD SAPR policy, persons eligible for restricted (confidential) reporting are: "active duty service members, to include Military Service Academy cadets and midshipmen, or National Guard or Reserve service members when performing active service and inactive duty (as defined in section 101(d)(3) under Title 10) or a member of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is operating as a Service of the Department of the Navy."

Anyone who is entitled to receive care at a military treatment facility is eligible to receive treatment for sexual assault to include dependents.  However, the restricted (confidential) reporting option is not available to DoD civilians or contractors.

According to DoD SAPR policy, persons eligible for restricted (confidential) reporting are: "active duty service members, to include Military Service Academy cadets and midshipmen, or National Guard or Reserve service members when performing active service and inactive duty (as defined in section 101(d)(3) under Title 10) or a member of the Coast Guard when the Coast Guard is operating as a Service of the Department of the Navy."

According to the DoD Directive, "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.  Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender or spousal relationship or age of victim."

Sexual assault includes:

• rape (stranger rape, acquaintance or non-stranger rape, marital rape, or gang rape)
• forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex)
• other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact) or attempts to commit any of these acts

Rape is one type of sexual assault (as noted above). Specifically, rape pertains to any type of penetration, however slight. Therefore, sexual assault can refer to many different types of sexual offenses, whereas rape only refers to sexual offenses involving penetration of another person.

According to the DoD Directive, "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.  Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender or spousal relationship or age of victim."

Sexual assault includes:

• rape (stranger rape, acquaintance or non-stranger rape, marital rape, or gang rape)
• forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex)
• other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact) or attempts to commit any of these acts

Rape is one type of sexual assault (as noted above). Specifically, rape pertains to any type of penetration, however slight. Therefore, sexual assault can refer to many different types of sexual offenses, whereas rape only refers to sexual offenses involving penetration of another person.

Most sexual assault victims do not physically fight off their attackers.  The DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) policy indicates that a victim does not have to physically resist the attacker to prove a lack of consent in a criminal case.  There are many other ways to demonstrate a lack of consent, including saying no.  In addition, there are situations in which victims of sexual assault cannot or may not be able to demonstrate a lack of consent:

• the offender uses force or threatens force
• the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or is unconscious

Most sexual assault victims do not physically fight off their attackers.  The DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) policy indicates that a victim does not have to physically resist the attacker to prove a lack of consent in a criminal case.  There are many other ways to demonstrate a lack of consent, including saying no.  In addition, there are situations in which victims of sexual assault cannot or may not be able to demonstrate a lack of consent:

• the offender uses force or threatens force
• the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or is unconscious

There are many ways that a sexual assault offender may force a victim to engage in sexual activities without using a weapon or physical force.  The offender may:

• threaten harm to the victim or use other intimidation
• manipulate or coerce (offering a promotion or threatening the victim's career, reputation, or security clearance)
• overpower the victim physically due to differences in body size
• give the victim alcohol or drugs to limit his or her judgment or memory
• use his or her position of authority and trust (such as a supervisor or a higher-ranking person) to get a subordinate to submit to engaging in a sexual act

There are many ways that a sexual assault offender may force a victim to engage in sexual activities without using a weapon or physical force.  The offender may:

• threaten harm to the victim or use other intimidation
• manipulate or coerce (offering a promotion or threatening the victim's career, reputation, or security clearance)
• overpower the victim physically due to differences in body size
• give the victim alcohol or drugs to limit his or her judgment or memory
• use his or her position of authority and trust (such as a supervisor or a higher-ranking person) to get a subordinate to submit to engaging in a sexual act

Sexual assault victims and offenders can be of any age, gender, rank, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or other background. The most common type of sexual assault happens between people who know each other (e.g., coworker, supervisor, a date). This is referred to as acquaintance rape.

Sexual assault victims and offenders can be of any age, gender, rank, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, or other background. The most common type of sexual assault happens between people who know each other (e.g., coworker, supervisor, a date). This is referred to as acquaintance rape.

There is no right or wrong way to respond to a sexual assault. In fact, most victims experience many different feelings and reactions in the days and months after an assault. The following are some of the more common types of behaviors and feelings that victims of sexual assault report:

• shock, denial, or disbelief that it happened
• shame, embarrassment, or self-blame
• anger or irritability
• loss of control of their lives and choices
• loss of interest in friends or not wanting to socialize (school, dates, work)
• loss of trust in others and in their own decision-making
• changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• difficulty with concentration or memory
• nightmares or flashbacks about what happened
• feeling on-guard or jumpy
• feeling anxious, nervous, or scared
• sadness, depression, or thoughts of suicide
• numbness or having a hard time expressing emotions

There is no right or wrong way to respond to a sexual assault. In fact, most victims experience many different feelings and reactions in the days and months after an assault. The following are some of the more common types of behaviors and feelings that victims of sexual assault report:

• shock, denial, or disbelief that it happened
• shame, embarrassment, or self-blame
• anger or irritability
• loss of control of their lives and choices
• loss of interest in friends or not wanting to socialize (school, dates, work)
• loss of trust in others and in their own decision-making
• changes in appetite and sleep patterns
• difficulty with concentration or memory
• nightmares or flashbacks about what happened
• feeling on-guard or jumpy
• feeling anxious, nervous, or scared
• sadness, depression, or thoughts of suicide
• numbness or having a hard time expressing emotions

Sexual assault victims have the option to report the sexual assault for a possible investigation (unrestricted reporting) or to seek care confidentially without making an official report to law enforcement or to command (restricted reporting).  The restricted reporting option is not available to DoD civilians or contractors.  These two reporting options are explained in much greater detail in the Entitlements and Benefits section.  Any victim of sexual assault can receive medical treatment (with or without medical evidence collection) and counseling or victim advocacy for emotional support and information.

Sexual assault victims have the option to report the sexual assault for a possible investigation (unrestricted reporting) or to seek care confidentially without making an official report to law enforcement or to command (restricted reporting).  The restricted reporting option is not available to DoD civilians or contractors.  These two reporting options are explained in much greater detail in the Entitlements and Benefits section.  Any victim of sexual assault can receive medical treatment (with or without medical evidence collection) and counseling or victim advocacy for emotional support and information.

Anyone who is entitled to care in a military treatment facility is eligible for medical care following a sexual assault. Military dependants may also seek medical care through a civilian hospital; pursue a law enforcement investigation of the assault; contact the Family Advocacy Program or Children's Protective Services if the sexual assault involves a minor; contact a civilian rape crisis program; or contact social work services.

Anyone who is entitled to care in a military treatment facility is eligible for medical care following a sexual assault. Military dependants may also seek medical care through a civilian hospital; pursue a law enforcement investigation of the assault; contact the Family Advocacy Program or Children's Protective Services if the sexual assault involves a minor; contact a civilian rape crisis program; or contact social work services.

Any sexual contact with a minor is illegal and would be considered child abuse. Any suspicion of child abuse should be reported immediately to Children's Protective Services, law enforcement, the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), or social work services.

Any sexual contact with a minor is illegal and would be considered child abuse. Any suspicion of child abuse should be reported immediately to Children's Protective Services, law enforcement, the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), or social work services.

Be supportive and non-judgmental when talking to someone who was recently assaulted. Encourage him or her to consider talking to a professional with expertise in sexual assault counseling, such as a victim advocate on the installation, a counselor available through Military OneSource, or an advocate or counselor available through a civilian rape crisis program. If the sexual assault just occurred (and if the victim is considering reporting the crime), recommend that he or she go to the hospital as soon as possible for an evidence collection exam to preserve any evidence of the assault. Also, provide him or her with information about this website and the other programs listed in the Resource section. 

Note:  Service members may be required to report any suspected sexual assault.  This is true of all service members unless that member is the victim of the sexual assault or one of the individuals designated as a confidential reporting source. A fellow service member should talk to the victim about this obligation and continue to provide the victim with support and encouragement.

Be supportive and non-judgmental when talking to someone who was recently assaulted. Encourage him or her to consider talking to a professional with expertise in sexual assault counseling, such as a victim advocate on the installation, a counselor available through Military OneSource, or an advocate or counselor available through a civilian rape crisis program. If the sexual assault just occurred (and if the victim is considering reporting the crime), recommend that he or she go to the hospital as soon as possible for an evidence collection exam to preserve any evidence of the assault. Also, provide him or her with information about this website and the other programs listed in the Resource section. 

Note:  Service members may be required to report any suspected sexual assault.  This is true of all service members unless that member is the victim of the sexual assault or one of the individuals designated as a confidential reporting source. A fellow service member should talk to the victim about this obligation and continue to provide the victim with support and encouragement.