Sexual Assault Reporting Options

Service members and military dependents 18 years and older who have been sexually assaulted have two reporting options: Unrestricted or Restricted Reporting. Regardless of whether the victim elects Restricted or Unrestricted Reporting, confidentiality of medical information shall be maintained.

DoD civilian employees and their family dependents and DoD contractors are only eligible for Unrestricted Reporting and for limited emergency care medical services at a military treatment facility, unless that individual is
otherwise eligible as a Service member or TRICARE beneficiary of the military health system to receive treatment in a military treatment facility at no cost to them.

Restricted Reporting is available to; Active Duty military members, Active
Duty military dependents (18 years of age and older who are eligible for
treatment in the military health care system and who were victims of sexual assault perpetrated by someone other than a spouse or intimate partner), National Guard and Reserve Component members in Title 10 status, and Coast Guard members when operating as a service of the Department of the Navy.

Restricted Reporting: Reporting option that allows an eligible person who is sexually assaulted to confidentially disclose the assault to specified individuals (i.e., SARC, SAPR VA, or health care personnel), and receive medical treatment, including emergency care, counseling, and assignment of a SARC and SAPR VA, without triggering an investigation. The victim's report provided to health care personnel (including the information acquired from a Sexual Assault Forensic Examine (SAFE) Kit, SARCs, or SAPR VAs will NOT be reported to law enforcement or to the command to initiate the official investigative process unless the victim consents or an established EXCEPTION applies. Only a SARC, SAPR VA, or health care personnel may receive a Restricted Report.

Unrestricted Reporting is available to; Active Duty military members, Active Duty military dependents (18 years of age and older who are eligible for treatment in the military health care system and who were victims of sexual assault perpetrated by someone other than a spouse or intimate partner), National Guard and Reserve Component members in Title 10 status, Coast Guard members when operating as a service of the Department of the Navy; DoD civilian employees and their family dependents (18 years of age and older who are eligible for treatment in the military health care system and who were victims of sexual assault perpetrated by someone other than a spouse or intimate partner) when they are stationed or performing duties outside of the continental United States and eligible for treatment in the military health care system at military installations or facilities outside of the continental United States, and U.S. citizen DoD contractor personnel when they are authorized to accompany the Armed Forces in a contingency operation outside of the continental United States and their U.S. citizen employees.

Unrestricted Reporting: Reporting option that allows an eligible person who is sexually assaulted to access medical treatment and counseling and request an official investigation of the allegation using existing reporting channels (e.g., chain of command, law enforcement, health care personnel, the SARC). When a sexual assault is reported through Unrestricted Reporting, a SARC shall be notified as soon as possible, respond, assign a SAPR VA, and offer the victim medical care and a SAFE.

Independent Investigations: Independent investigations are not initiated by the victim. If information about a sexual assault comes to a commander's attention from a source other than a victim who has elected Restricted Reporting or where no election has been made by the victim, that commander shall report the matter to an Military Criminal Investigative Organization and an official (independent) investigation may be initiated based on that independently acquired information. If there is an ongoing independent investigation, the sexual assault victim will no longer have the option of Restricted Reporting when DoD law enforcement informs the SARC of the investigation and the victim has not already elected Restricted Reporting.

AF Special Victims' Counsel (SVC): Eligible Victims may elect to have a Special Victims' Counsel represent you. Special Victims' Counsel are active duty judge advocates whose sole role is to represent you in a confidential, attorney-client relationship, throughout the investigation and prosecution processes.

Special Victims' Counsel are available to:
     1. Air Force Active Duty (Reserve and Guard in Title 10 Status)
          - The status of the perpetrator does not matter (Air Force, other 
            service, civilian, or unknown)
          - Victim is eligible for both restricted and unrestricted reports
     2. Adult Dependents of Air Force Members
          - Victim is eligible ONLY if the perpetrator is an Air Force member
          - Victim is eligible for both restricted and unrestricted reports
     3. Active Duty Members of Other Services (Reserve and Guard in 
         Title10 Status)

          - Victim is eligible ONLY if the perpetrator is an Air Force member
          - Victim is eligible ONLY for unrestricted reports
     4. Adult Dependents of Members of Other Services
          - Victim is eligible ONLY if the perpetrator is an Air Force member
          - Victim is eligible ONLY for unrestricted reports
     5. Basic Military Training and Technical Training
          - All entry-level status Air Force Active Duty, Reserve, and Guard 
            members alleged to have been involved in an unprofessional  
            relationship (as defined by AETC policy) that involves physical 
            contact of a sexual nature with basic military training or technical 
            training faculty or staff.