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Sexual Assault Prevention & Response

Sexual Assault Prevention and ResponseSexual Assault Response Coordinators and Victim Advocates are available at major Department of Defense installations to assist victims and survivors of sexual assault.

The Andrews SAPR Office serves as the single point of contact for integrating and coordinating sexual assault victim (survivor) care 24/7, 365 days a year. The SAPR Office is also responsible for providing Sexual Assault Prevention & Response training throughout the installation.

Help is just a phone call away: If you have been sexually assaulted, please call the 24/7 SAPR Hotline at 301-981-7272.

Helpful Numbers

SAPR Confidential Numbers

Sexual Assault

Sexual 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 conduct, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent.

As used by the Department of Defense Sexual,  the term "sexual assault" includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific Uniform Code of Military Justice offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual conduct, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or attempts to commit these offenses.

These offenses are defined in Article 120, Article 120b, and Article 125 of the Uniform Code of Military Justice, and can be reviewed here.

Victims' Counsel

Victims' Counsel (VC) serves as a sexual assault victim's personal attorney at Air Force expense. They are active duty judge advocates whose sole role is to represent victims in a confidential, attorney-client relationship, throughout the investigation and prosecution processes.

By federal law, Air Force VCs are only authorized to provide legal assistance to:

  • All Air Force Active Duty, Air Force Reserve, and Air National Guard victims, who are in Title 10 status at the time of the offense, and report they are a victim of a sexual assault under the UCMJ or state and federal laws criminalizing sexual assault.
  • All adult dependents of active duty military personnel from any branch, who file an unrestricted report that they are the victim of sexual assault under the UCMJ, when an Air Force commander may exercise jurisdiction over the alleged offender.
  • All Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Active Duty, Reserve, and National Guard victims, who are in a Title 10 status at the time of the offense, and file an unrestricted report that they are the victim of sexual assault under the UCMJ, when an Air Force commander may exercise jurisdiction over the alleged offender.
Additional information about the NCR VC Program can be found at the following link: 
VC Program Information
 
The VC can be reached at 240-612-4655, through the SAPR office at 301-981-1443, or via the SAPR Hotline at 301-981-7272.

 

Victim Advocates

Air Force Volunteer Victim Advocates (VVAs) provide essential support, liaison services, and care to a sexual assault victim.

VVAs are active duty military personnel and DoD civilian employees selected by the SARC and who have completed a 40-hour training course.

They must possess the maturity and experience to assist in very sensitive situations. More information on the VVA program can be found at the following link:  VVA Program Tri-fold

Remember

  • If you have been the victim of sexual assault, you don't have to be alone!
  • The assault was NOT your fault. You did not cause it to happen.
  • People are here to help. We are committed to supporting you and your family members in the most sensitive and private way possible.
  • There is no "right way" to deal with sexual assault. It is okay to be angry and stand up for yourself as you are ready. SAPR program personnel can put you in touch with all the resources and assistance available to you.
  • Take care of yourself and ask for what you need.
  • You can report an assault at any time, though immediately is best for evidence collection purposes (evidence may still be collected for several days after the incident). Try to seek medical attention before washing, cleaning up, or changing clothes. If you do change clothes, bring soiled clothing in a paper bag -- not plastic.
  • Never hesitate to get help.

Reporting Options

Restricted Reporting

  • Enables military members, dependents (18+) and DoD Air Force civilian employees who are victims to report allegations of sexual assault to specified personnel without initiating an investigation. Specified personnel include the SARC/SAPR VA or Volunteer Victim Advocates. While chaplains and military healthcare providers have confidentiality/privilege, they cannot take a Restricted Report. Communicated related to the incident is considered protected.
  • Provides confidential reporting.
  • Allows access to medical care, counseling, and a victim advocate but does not initiate the investigative process.
  • Intended to give the victim additional time and increased control over the release and management of their personal information.
  • Empowers the victim to seek relevant information and support to make an informed decision about participating in the criminal process.
  • Civilians and retired members are not eligible to make a Restricted Report.

Unrestricted Report

  • Enables military members, dependents (18+) and DoD Air Force civilian employees who are victims to disclose allegations of sexual assault to their chain of command, law enforcement. and the AFOSI or other criminal investigative service.
  • Initiates investigative process.
  • The SARC will be notified and assign a victim advocate to the individual.
  • Details of the allegation will be provided only to those personnel who have a legitimate need to know.

Independent Report

  • Information about a sexual assault is disclosed to command from an independent or third-party source.
  • An official investigation may be initiated based upon an independent report.

SAPR Reporting Handout