The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR) reinforces the Department of the Air Force's commitment to eliminate incidents of sexual assault through awareness and prevention education, victim advocacy, response, reporting and accountability. The Department of the Air Force encourages confidential reporting and promotes trauma-informed, person-centered care for personnel who experience sexual assault.

Air Force Reserve Service members and their adult dependents who are eligible for treatment in the military healthcare system are eligible for SAPR services.  Department of the Air Force Civilians, both appropriated and non-appropriated, are eligible to receive limited SAPR advocacy services, and SAPR official reporting does not extend medical or other entitlements they are not already authorized by law or policy to receive. Dependents, under the age of 17 are eligible to utilize the Family Advocacy Program. 

Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. The term includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific UCMJ offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling) or attempts to commit these acts.

Sexual harassment: As of 30 September 2022, the SAPR program now offers reporting options for advocacy services to military personnel who experience sexual harassment. This does not replace Military Equal Opportunity (MEO) processes. Active-Duty Airmen, Guardians, and Reserve; and Air National Guard and Reserve members are eligible to report if the sexual harassment allegation occurred while in any federalized or military status or if there is a military nexus (i.e., alleged subject is military, occurred at military function, etc.).

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO): DoD SAPRO is responsible for oversight of the Department's sexual assault policy. DoD SAPRO works hand-in-hand with the Services and the civilian community to develop and implement innovative prevention and response programs.

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Services: Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (SAPR) provides support for non-intimate partner and eligible family members, 18 years of age and older, sexual assault victims. The SAPR program can provide services to unmarried intimate partners (“dating”) unless there is a risk for domestic violence, then FAP will manage and mitigate risk.

Family Advocacy Program: The Family Advocacy Program manages sexual assault allegations for military dependents who are 17 years of age or younger and when the alleged offender is a current or former spouse, they share a child in common, or share of have shared a common domicile. Unmarried intimate partners (“dating”) may choose services from either SAPR or FAP; if there is a domestic violence risk, FAP will manage services to mitigate risk (DoDI 6400.06).

Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH): The Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program provides an opportunity to anonymously disclose alleged offender information to help the DoD identify repeat offenders. Sexual assault victims who make CATCH entries will be notified if the alleged offender information they disclosed matches another case within the CATCH database or associated other databases. Individuals eligible to make a CATCH entry include: those who have filed a Restricted Report of sexual assault with the SAPR office, and those who have filed an Unrestricted Report of sexual and the identity of the suspect was not disclosed or uncovered during the law enforcement investigation (e.g., third party report with no suspect identification). Additionally, victims can utilize the CATCH program without making a formal restricted or unrestricted report by filling out a DD Form 2910-4. For more information on the CATCH program see the DoD CATCH Program Victim Info Sheet.

The Department of the Air Force has instituted avenues for reporting sexual assault in the form of Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting.

Restricted Reporting: Restricted reporting enables sexual assault victims to confidentially disclose the assault to specified individuals (i.e., Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA), and healthcare personnel), and receive medical treatment, including emergency care, counseling, and assignment of an advocate, without triggering an investigation. This option is intended to remove barriers to medical care and support while giving the victim additional time and increased control over the release of their personal information. Further, it also empowers the victim to make an informed decision about participating in the criminal process. While healthcare personnel can protect a Restricted Report, only SAPR staff can officially receive a Restricted Report from a victim and assist in completion of the DD Form 2910.

Restricted Reporting is now available at all times except when a victim personally reports the sexual assault to law enforcement or has previously filed an Unrestricted Report for the same sexual assault incident (DoDI 6495.02, v1). Restricted reporting is available even if the incident was inadvertently or previously disclosed to command by the victim, the alleged subject or another third party, or if an independent investigation is initiated, in progress, or closed. After an independent investigation has closed, victims retain the Restricted Reporting option to receive SAPR services that facilitate care and safety, and documentation to provide to the Department of Veterans Affairs when seeking military sexual trauma (MST) services or pursuing disability claims.

Unrestricted Reporting: Unrestricted reporting activates victim support services and accountability process with notification to the Air Force Office of Special Investigations (AFOSI) or the appropriate Military Criminal Investigative Organization (MCIO) and the victim’s command. This option includes support services for medical treatment, counseling, and advocacy, and additional options for military and/or civilian protection orders (MPO/CPO) or expediated transfers.

How to report:

Option 1: Visit the DoD Safe Helpline at: https://www.safehelpline.org/ or by calling 877-995-5247

Option 2: Contact your base Sexual Assault Response Coordinator or Special Victims’ Council. Use the Resource Locator to find detailed contact information.

Military Leave:

If a member is a survivor of sexual assault and has filed either a Restricted or Unrestricted report, the member may be authorized convalescent leave, non-chargeable time off to receive support or allow time for recovery. See DAFI 36-3003, Military Leave Program for more information.

Department of Defense Safe Helpline:
https://www.safehelpline.org/ or call 24/7 877-995-5247

Department of Defense Sexual Prevention and Response Office Page:
https://www.sapr.mil/

Department of Defense Sexual Prevention and Response (SAPR) Connect:
https://dod.defense.gov/News/Special-Reports/0416_sexual-assault-awareness-and-prevention/

U.S. Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Page: 
https://www.resilience.af.mil/SAPR/

Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program:
https://www.sapr.mil/catch

Department of the Air Force Instruction 90-6001, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program:
https://static.e-publishing.af.mil/production/1/af_a1/publication/dafi90-6001/dafi90-6001.pdf

U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs:
https://www.va.gov/

Military Sexual Trauma Assistance:
https://www.va.gov/health-care/health-needs-conditions/military-sexual-trauma/

Military Sexual Trauma Fact Sheet:
https://www.mentalhealth.va.gov/docs/mst_general_factsheet.pdf