JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO, Texas –
Policy directives allowing Air Force and Army civilian employees who are victims of sexual assault to file restricted reports with their installation’s Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, or SARC, were released by the Air Force and Army in August 2015 and January 2017, respectively.
The Army directive is a one-year trial period, but the Air Force’s policy is permanent. The Navy has not yet extended this option to their civilian workforce, but like all services, they can still file an unrestricted report with a Navy SARC or victim advocate.
When choosing the restricted reporting option, law enforcement and chain of command will not be notified of the incident, but members will still receive services from the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, or SAPR, program or the Army’s Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention, or SHARP, program.
Air Force and Army civilian employees can receive the same services as those already eligible to utilize SARC services, with the exception of legal and non-emergency medical services, which are restricted by law. Individuals that make a restricted report can choose to change to an unrestricted report at any time. Once they file an unrestricted report they cannot choose the restricted report option.
Air Force SAPR and Army SHARP programs have always provided invaluable support and assistance to uniformed Airmen and Soldiers who have suffered from this crime. This exception allows the Air Force and Army to extend the same care and support to Department of Defense civilian victims as they do to military members and their adult family dependents.
Q: What services were available to Air Force and Army civilians who were victims of sexual assault prior to these policy waivers?
A: Prior to this waiver, Air Force civilians at OCONUS installations and their dependents 18 years of age and older were eligible to file unrestricted reports only. This waiver will allow all Air Force and Army civilian employees to file unrestricted and restricted reports and receive services from their installation’s SARC and SAPR/SHARP victim advocates.
Q: Can civilians who were victims of sexual assault prior to these policy exception report previous incidents?
A: Yes, Air Force and Army civilian employees may utilize SARC or VA services and file a report regardless of when the incident occurred.
Q: Are contractors who work on Air Force or Army installations or retirees eligible to use SARC services?
A: No, at this time the exception has only extended services to Air Force and Army civilian employees, both appropriated and non-appropriated. Retirees may only use SARC services if they fall into another eligible category, such as military dependent or civilian employee.
Q: Can other DOD civilian employees file restricted reports with Air Force or Army SARCs?
A: No, at this time the waiver has only been extended only to Air Force and Army civilian employees, both appropriated and non-appropriated. Department of the Navy and Coast Guard civilian personnel are not included in this waiver at this time. All DOD civilians can file an unrestricted report.
Q: What services will civilian employees who utilize the SARC or VA receive?
A: Civilians will receive 24/7 crisis intervention and advocacy services as well as assistance in locating off-base services as needed. Additionally, these reports will be included in Air Force and Army numbers reported to DOD.
For any questions regarding sexual assault reporting options or how to report, call one of the following JBSA SAPR/SHARP offices:
Air Force:
JBSA-Lackland SAPR Advocacy Center, 671-7273
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston SAPR Advocacy Center, 221-3769/1469
JBSA-Randolph SAPR Advocacy Center, 652-4386
Army:
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston SHARP Office: 221-0598
Navy:
JBSA-Fort Sam Houston SAPR Office: 221-1496
For more information, go to: http://www.jbsa.mil/Resources/Sexual-Assault-Prevention-and-Response/
To report a sexual assault, call one of the above office number during duty hours or the 24/7 JBSA Sexual Assault Crisis Hotline at 808-SARC (7272). Additional assistance can be provided by the 24/7 DOD Safe Helpline as well at 1-877-995-5247 or online at http://www.SafeHelpline.org to receive live one-on-one support.