Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program

Heads up: This section discusses sexual assault and sexual harassment in detail, including consent, reporting options, and survivor support. Some readers may have personal experience and find sections difficult.

If you need help right now:

• DoD SAFE Helpline — call 1-877-995-5247, text 55-247 (U.S.) or 202-470-5546 (worldwide), or visit safehelpline.org.
• JBSA-Lackland SARC Hotline — 210-808-7272 (24/7).
• San Antonio Area Rape Crisis Center — 210-349-7273.
• Emergency: call 911.

The DAF considers your safety and well-being a top priority. Sexual assault is a serious issue that can be hard to talk about. As a military member, you're as much at risk as anyone in the civilian community. When sexual assault occurs, it can have devastating effects on the member, their unit, and their family.

Integrity First matters here — the decision to intervene in a difficult situation to stop a sexual assault from happening, and to take care of your wingman. Your resilience and self-control will be important qualities to help you navigate challenging situations.

This section covers prevention, response, the two types of reporting, and the DAF Victims' Counsel (VC) Program.

Overview

Objective: Identify basic facts and general principles about intermediate Airmanship fundamentals.

Learning Outcomes

• Identify basic facts regarding training to help prevent sexual harassment and sexual assault, including the definition.
• Discuss the response phase of sexual assault, including the two types of reporting.
• Recall key aspects of the Air Force Victim's Counsel (VC) Program.

Foundational Competencies

• Decision Making — Makes well-informed, effective, and timely decisions; uses sound judgment to integrate and weigh situational constraints, risks, and rewards.
• Resilience — The process of negotiating, managing, and adapting to significant sources of stress or trauma.
• Self-Control — The ability to keep emotions under control and to restrain negative actions when under stress.

Summary

• Prevention
• Response
• DAF Victims' Counsel (VC)

Prevention

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Training

You must understand that military culture will not tolerate sexual assault, and you must know what to do in the event of an offense.

Many parts of this training, including videos and discussion questions, may contain material that can trigger difficult emotions, especially for survivors. Some segments of the videos are quite dramatic and direct — they include reenactments of rape scenes, dramatizations related to sexual assault, and sexual and verbal innuendos.

Victim sensitivity and care are top DAF priorities. If you feel unable to take part in classroom training, leave the classroom and take a break. You may return when you're ready or notify your SAPR Instructor that you'd like to complete one-on-one training. The Instructor will assist you in scheduling a confidential one-on-one session to complete this graduation requirement.

You'll learn what sexual assault is and how to prevent and respond to it according to DAF policies and values.

The DAF will provide you with the skills to protect yourself and your wingman:

• The DAF will be here to support you with available services.
• What actions to take.
• The DAF is committed to guiding you on how to compassionately support someone who has experienced a sexual assault.
• Bottom line: all members are part of a team. If one Airman is assaulted, it's a strike against all of us.

Sexual Assault / Harassment

Definition (DoD)

"Intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. 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."

Five words to remember the definition: "intentional sexual contact without consent."

The DoD defines sexual harassment as conduct that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and deliberate or repeated offensive comments or gestures of a sexual nature when:

• Submission is made explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person's job, pay, or career.
• Submission to or rejection is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person.
• Such conduct unreasonably interferes with work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment, severe or pervasive enough that a reasonable person would perceive — and the victim does perceive — the environment as hostile or offensive.

The two main types of sexual harassment are verbal and non-verbal, but can also include unwelcome physical contact.

Sexual assault is a serious crime and violates our core values. Offenders can be prosecuted in a criminal court and, if found guilty, may go to prison.

Part One Discussion Questions

These reflective questions are part of in-classroom discussion. Try to answer them before class or when prompted. They help gauge how much you know about sexual assault and surface common myths.

1. Is rape a crime of passion? Explain your rationale.
2. Are most rapists strangers to their victims? Do they wear ski masks and prey on people they don't know?
3. Do people lead other people on? Does being led on cause someone to rape the person leading them on because they "can't control" their sexual desires? Do people use this as an excuse? Explain your rationale.
4. Do you believe rape happens spontaneously, or is it planned? Explain your rationale.
5. True / False. A person cannot be raped by their spouse or significant other. Explain your rationale.

Consent

DoD policy states that "consent" SHALL NOT be deemed or construed to mean the failure of the victim to offer physical resistance. Consent IS NOT given when:

• A person uses force, threat of force, or coercion.
• The victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.
• The victim is under the age of 16.

"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 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."

Understanding consent — and recognizing when it can and cannot occur — is critical to preventing sexual assault.

Six examples when a person cannot give consent

1. There is a threat of death or great bodily harm (use of force). This might seem obvious, and in many cases it is.
2. The victim is unable to resist because of lack of mental or physical faculties. Cannot give consent if mental or physical faculties are impaired or lacking — example: a person with mental handicap or a medical patient who is heavily medicated.
3. The victim is unconscious or asleep.
4. The victim is incapacitated by alcohol or drugs. Your ability to recognize consent when drunk or on drugs is impaired and puts you in a potentially vulnerable situation. Alcohol does not cause sexual assault — the person perpetrating it does. Alcohol use by the survivor or alleged offender was a factor in 62% of incidents involving DoD women, compared to 49% for DoD men. Both individuals might misinterpret social cues and intent, causing communication to be vague. If either of you have been drinking heavily, do not even think of hooking up.
5. The victim is coerced into engaging in sexual acts by an assailant who is in a position of authority over the victim. No one can order or require you to have sex because they outrank you. If someone in your chain of command or of higher rank uses their position to coerce you into sexual contact, it is illegal and a crime.

If you want to have sex, it's your responsibility to obtain consent. Communication may look different depending on the relationship, but it's still essential. Be clear about whether you want or don't want to engage — and even more important, be sure you clearly understand what the other person wants.

Part Two Discussion Questions

1. True / False. If you invite a person to your residence, it's because you want to have sex with them.
2. True / False. Victims "ask" to be sexually assaulted by the way they act, look, or dress.
3. Can a physically healthy person prevent being sexually assaulted if they really want to stop it?
4. True / False. Only a woman can be a victim of sexual assault. A man cannot be sexually assaulted.

DAF Zero Tolerance Policy

The DAF has Zero Tolerance for any type of sexual assault or attempted assault — it's a crime and goes against our core values. Before joining the military, you had your own life with your own rules. What might have been OK in the past is not necessarily OK now.

The Zero Tolerance Policy means allegations will be investigated and perpetrators will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. The UCMJ outlines harsh penalties for sexual harassment and sexual assault crimes, including jail time.

All blame for any sexual assault rests squarely on the shoulders of the perpetrator. THE VICTIM IS NEVER TO BLAME.

The DAF will do whatever it can to support victims and to prosecute offenders. Committing sexual assault against one Airman is an assault on all Airmen and the team.

Reflect: What does it mean when you look at loyalty to core values in relation to loyalty to peers? Where do your loyalties lie when your wingman does not act with integrity?

Continuum of Harm

The Continuum of Harm refers to a range of inappropriate actions — sexist jokes, sexual harassment, sexual discrimination, hazing, bullying, stalking, tech-facilitated sexual violence, or other behavior that contributes to a culture that is tolerant of, or increases risk for, sexual assault, maltreatment, or ostracism of a victim.

The "Green" zone is where we want to exist. Allowing lower-level harmful behavior increases the likelihood someone can be a victim of sexual harassment or assault.

It's everyone's responsibility — regardless of rank or position — to actively cultivate conditions that support the Green healthy environment: build relationships on trust, safety, respect, and healthy relationships. These are protective factors that lower the likelihood of sexual violence.

Cyber Technology — Tech-Facilitated Sexual Violence

A range of behaviors in which digital technologies are used to facilitate virtual and physical forms of sexual violence — internet, social media platforms, smartphones, and other digital devices used as tools for harassment, abuse, and exploitation.

Today we spend more time online than ever, which has created new safety risks. This type of harassment has unique concerns:

• It can be persistent (24/7) and permanent (negative online reputation, images/messages may become public and hard to remove or delete).
• It provides anonymity to perpetrators.

Cyber tech-facilitated harassment in certain instances is unlawful. Individuals experiencing it can report incidents to their chain of command or the local EO office.

Relationships to the DAF and Your Wingmen (Peers)

The DAF lives by its core values, and so should you. The DAF counts on you to embrace the core values at all times. Sexual assault is a crime — there is no room for an Airman who assaults one of their own. You have a responsibility to protect your wingman.

Part Three Discussion Questions

1. How many victims report false sexual assaults just to get back at another person?
2. What should members do to support a victim who has reported a sexual assault?
3. How do rapists go undetected?

Your responsibilities to your wingman / teammate DAF member

• Sexual assault is everyone's issue.
• Practice responsible use of alcohol.
• Challenge verbal, sexual, and physical inappropriateness that may contribute to a climate that allows sexual assault.
• Do not stand by when you observe warning signs of potential sexual assault.
• Get involved and intervene if a wingman is abusive to someone.
• Question your own attitudes.
• Support victims and listen — ask if you can help.
• Mentor others.

Four common sexual-assault roles

• Facilitator — the person who enables, encourages, or creates a situation or environment that allows a perpetrator to act.
• Passive Bystander — the person who sees the potential for harm (even sexual assault) in a situation and does nothing to stop it.
• Victim — the person assaulted by a perpetrator.
• Perpetrator — the criminal who assaults the victim.

Response

Victim compassion and sensitivity

Each victim copes with the trauma in their own unique way, experiencing a range of valid and normal emotions. It's essential for survivors to recognize the assault is not their fault. It's common for them to feel hesitant about sharing their experience — but they're not to blame and not alone. By reporting the assault, there's a possibility of stopping a serial perpetrator from causing further harm.

First, address any safety or medical issues

• Get the victim to a safe place.
• If the victim needs immediate medical care, go to a base medical facility or off-base hospital / emergency room.
• Assign a specially trained Victim Advocate (VA) to explain options and support them throughout the process.

Reporting

The DAF view

"Victims of sexual harassment and/or sexual assault in training environments are provided confidential access to victim support services. Victims will be afforded the necessary time for recovery and opportunity to make up training missed during the recovery period. Training may be made up through either special individualized assistance (SIA) or wash back / recycle. How training will be made up will be determined by the instructor supervisor with the best interests of the student in mind."

The UCMJ was updated in January 2019 to include reprisal or retaliation against alleged victims or other members who report a criminal offense. It's prohibited and punishable under UCMJ Article 132.

Delayed reporting — sometimes months or years — is common. Victims face barriers to reporting, such as:

• Lack of privacy and confidentiality.
• Lack of confidence in the "system."
• Stigma and shame based on the nature of the crime.
• Fear of being reduced in the eyes of their commander or colleagues.
• Fear of disciplinary action due to collateral misconduct.
• Fear of re-victimization.
• Fear of operational impacts on training status, security clearance, and deployment.
• Fear of adverse impact on the unit or mission.
• Fear of harassment, retaliation, or reprisal from commanders or colleagues.
• Fear of not being believed.

Because of these fears, the DAF adopted restricted reporting to allow a victim to report and maintain confidentiality.

The reporting policy has one key goal: help everyone who has been sexually assaulted, regardless of whether the victim chooses restricted or unrestricted reporting. Everyone has access to a Sexual Assault Forensic Medical Examination (within a certain time frame), medical care, counseling, and victim-advocate services regardless of reporting type.

The SARC and assigned VA provide victims with information about reporting, law enforcement, and criminal justice processes.

Two types of reporting

Restricted Reporting

Several unique aspects:

• A law enforcement investigation will not be triggered. It enables victims to report an allegation, get medical care, supply forensic evidence, and receive counseling and victim advocacy without triggering an investigation.
• The chain of command is not involved (some exceptions apply).
• Reporting can remain confidential — only if reported to the SARC or to a healthcare provider on a military installation. Effective 10 November 2021, expanded eligibility allows you to report when you didn't personally report the assault to law enforcement and didn't elect to make an unrestricted report — by signing a DD Form 2910 with a SARC/SAPR/VA. You can file a restricted report even if you disclosed the incident to your commander or chain of command. There's an ongoing MCIO investigation into the incident by a third party (and not due to the victim's disclosure to law enforcement), or the MCIO investigation is closed.
• Confidentiality is not intact if reported through chain of command. If you want to keep your confidentiality intact, do not give your MTI any other information except to tell them you want to speak to the SARC office or law enforcement.

The intent of restricted reporting is twofold:

1. Enhances the likelihood an individual will seek and receive care and counsel — and ultimately consider making an unrestricted report later.
2. Gives the victim time, support, and increased control over their personal information relative to the crime.

You can go from restricted to unrestricted at any time.

Important: if the sexual assault is not reported, the victim and the perpetrator may end up encountering each other, and the perpetrator may not face any consequences for their actions.

AFOSI will keep DNA evidence from the Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE) for the restricted report for up to 20 years. This gives the victim time to receive services and to go from restricted to unrestricted later, and still have DNA evidence if it goes to court martial.

Unrestricted Reporting

When a victim officially reports an alleged sexual assault to law enforcement authorities and the chain of command. This triggers a law enforcement investigation. The Office of Special Investigations (OSI) initiates the investigation. If a VA is assisting the victim, they'll inform the SARC so the SARC can notify the appropriate commander.

If the victim elects unrestricted, the case can be investigated and action against the perpetrator can be pursued through prosecution or other administrative actions.

Once a report becomes UNRESTRICTED, it can NEVER be changed to RESTRICTED.

Who is eligible for both reporting options

1. Service members who were victims perpetrated by someone other than the victim's spouse, same-sex domestic partner, or unmarried intimate partner.
2. Service members on AD who were victims of sexual assault prior to enlistment / commissioning — eligible for SAPR services under either reporting option.
3. AD members' dependents, 18 and older, eligible for treatment in the Military Health System (MHS) at CONUS or OCONUS installations, who were victims of sexual assault perpetrated by someone other than the victim's spouse, same-sex domestic partner, or unmarried intimate partner. FAP manages allegations when the alleged offender is a current or former intimate partner — or when the victim is a military dependent 17 years of age or younger.
4. Reserve component members who are sexually assaulted while performing active service and inactive duty training are eligible for full SAPR support from a SARC, SAPR, and VA.
5. If reporting a sexual assault that occurred prior to or while not performing active service or inactive training, DAF Reserve component members will be eligible for limited SAPR support from a SARC, SAPR VA, and/or VVA. Local laws and regulations apply when in Title 32 status.

Sexual harassment reporting

To improve care and expand support resources, the SAPR Program also offers Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting options for sexual harassment victims/survivors. Active duty Airmen and Reserve members 18 years or older are eligible for sexual harassment advocacy services from the SAPR Office. ANG in non-federalized status (Title 32 / State Active Duty) follows Chief, National Guard Bureau guidance.

• Restricted Reporting allows a service member to confidentially report sexual harassment to a SARC or SAPR VA and receive victim-advocacy services. Does not trigger an investigation unless there's written consent or a clear and present risk to health and safety. Members who haven't filed an MEO complaint retain the option to file a restricted report with SAPR.
• Unrestricted Reporting triggers the SARC or SAPR VA notifying the member's commander and conducting an in-person, virtual, or telephonic referral with the installation EO office to initiate an investigation (or clarification report via EO processes). SAPR victim-advocacy services do not replace the MEO complaint process.

Guidelines to reporting sexual assault

If you or someone you know is in danger or fear for safety, call 911. Tell the operator your current location, whether you're safe, and whether you need immediate medical attention. Always follow operator instructions — safety is paramount.

Preserve all potential evidence. It is vitally important not to destroy or compromise evidence. Evidence can be compromised if a victim bathes, showers, eats, changes or washes clothes, or brushes their teeth. If possible, avoid eating, drinking, and using the restroom.

If you're not in imminent danger, you can contact:

SARC

If you want medical care, the SARC can provide information on assistance — or you may go directly to your medical facility. If you go to a healthcare provider directly, that person will initiate the proper care and treatment and then report the assault to the SARC.

Upon notification, the SARC will assign a VA if requested. The SARC or VA will respond to the emergency room or healthcare office. The VA will ask whether you want restricted (confidential) or unrestricted reporting. With consent, a forensic medical examination is done by a trained healthcare provider regardless of whether the victim chooses to report immediately.

DoD SAFE Helpline

1-877-995-5247 — a ground-breaking crisis support service for DoD community members affected by sexual assault. Provides live one-on-one support worldwide. Confidential, anonymous, secure, available 24/7.

• Online Helpline — confidential help via secure instant-messaging at safehelpline.org. Includes recovering and reporting info.
• Telephone Helpline — staff can transfer callers to base SARCs, Military OneSource, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, and civilian sexual-assault service providers. Same number in the U.S. and worldwide via DSN.
• Text Helpline — text your zip code, installation, or base name to 55-247 (U.S.) or 202-470-5546 (worldwide). SAFE Helpline texts back contact info for the SARC at your installation.
• Phone Applications — the DoD Safe Helpline app provides websites and phone numbers, allows anonymous allegation submission to DoD, and routes to the nearest SAPR office based on phone location. Other apps (e.g., Circle of 6, On Watch) help you stay close, stay safe, and prevent violence.

It's never too late to report a sexual assault. Evidence may still be collected and the incident investigated. At JBSA-Lackland: JBSA Hotline 210-808-7272 or San Antonio Area Rape Crisis Center 210-349-7273.

SARC and VA roles

The SARC and VA are not counselors and not part of the legal or law enforcement system.

• SARC — addresses the immediate and ongoing needs of the victim. Considered the center of gravity when ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive appropriate care.
• VA — provides support to the victim. Specially trained volunteers in the VA program who support survivors with medical, emotional, or procedural needs. Not counselors, not part of legal or law enforcement. Plays a critical role in the victim's healing process — medically and psychologically.

DAF Victims' Counsel Program (VC)

What do they do?

Since 2013, the DAF has had the Victims' Counsel Program. It gives victims of sexual assault judge advocates (called VCs) to advise, empower, and advocate for their rights.

VCs can:

• Provide confidential legal advice.
• Advocate to command for the victim's interests.
• Protect privacy — including at law enforcement interviews and courts-martial.
• Represent victims at trial and have standing to be heard on certain issues.

The program has had phenomenal feedback. VCs make an otherwise difficult process easier. VCs can advise victims in deciding whether to file a restricted or unrestricted report.

After having a VC, almost all victims recommend that other victims of sexual assault get one too.

Requesting VC services

If you or someone you know has been a victim of sexual assault, keep this program in mind. You can request a VC:

• Directly through the VC office at Lackland or Ft Sam
• Through your SAPR office, medical provider, or chaplain

Remember:

• You can see a VC before you decide if you want to make a report.
• You have the right to have a VC present if you decide to file an unrestricted report and interview with OSI.
• A pamphlet on the program is available with VC contact information for the JBSA region.
• You do not have to make a report before requesting a VC.

Summary

Sexual assault is a real issue and can happen to anyone at any time — we all need to take it very seriously. It can have lasting effects on a member and their family. This section covered the basic information, but you'll get sexual assault training throughout your career. Respecting each other, upholding the core values, and protecting your wingman should always be your top priorities.