1. Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program
An Overview of the Marine Corps SAPR Program

2. Objectives
Provide an overview of sexual assault and its impact on victims
Provide an overview of the USMC Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program
Discuss the benefits of partnering with local SAPR Programs

3. Understanding the Issue
An Overview of Sexual Assault

4. Sexual Assault Defined
Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by the use of
force
threats
intimidation
abuse of authority
or when the victim does not or cannot consent
DoDD

5. Prevalence of Sexual Assault in the USMC
In FY2016, there were 870 reports of sexual assault
565 of those reports were Unrestricted
Therefore 305 (35.1%) reports of sexual assault were Restricted Reports.
According to the 2016 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey Sexual Assault Prevalence (WGRA), 26% of Marines said they experienced a sexual assault in 2016 and officially filed either a Restricted or Unrestricted Report. 984 Female Marines experienced sexual assault and 1096 Male Marines experienced sexual assault in % of female Marines who experienced sexual assault filed a Restricted or Unrestricted Report. 16% of male Marines who experienced sexual assault filed a Restricted or Unrestricted Report.
Why Only 26%?
Personal shame, guilt, embarrassment
Fear of further repercussions for reporting
Concerns for privacy and about not being believed
Believing that reporting will not make a difference
Fear of retaliation
Not wanting anyone to know
Wanting/thinking you can handle it yourself
Thinking that the assault was not serious enough

6. Prevalence of Sexual Assault in the USMC
FY2016 In-Service reports for which data is available:
87% of In-Service report victims were E-1 to E-4
85% of In-Service report victims in were age 18-24
63% of assaults occurred between Friday - Sunday
57% of In-Service reports involved alcohol
30% of In-Service report victims were males
57% of all incidents were for Unrestricted Reports Service Member on Service Member
Total IN-SERVICE reports = 575
500 (87%) victims in rank E1-E4.
491 (85%) victims age
363 (63%) of assaults occurred between Friday and Sunday.
326 (57%) reports involved alcohol.
172 (30%) of In-Service report victims were male victims.
For Unrestricted Reports, 228/399 (57%) victims reported being assaulted by another military member.
For Restricted Reports, 110/176 (63%) victims reported being assaulted by another military member.

7. Impact of Sexual Assault on the Victim
Immediate
Numbness and detachment
Anxiety or severe fear
Guilt and anger
Extreme fatigue or exhaustion
Difficulty concentrating
Memory Problems
Racing thoughts
Greater startle response
Long Term
Irritability and/or hostility
Depression, anxiety, and shame
Fear of recurrence
Emotional detachment
Sleep disturbances, fatigue
Intrusive memories or flashbacks
Difficulty making decisions
Powerlessness
Suicidal thinking
Izy
IMMEDIATE EFFECTS:
Guilt and anger
Difficulty concentrating
Detachment
DELAYED EFFECTS:
Depression, anxiety, shame
Fatigue
Powerlessness
Suicidal thoughts

8. A Source of Support
The USMC SAPR Program

9. The USMC SAPR Program
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program is dedicated to eliminating sexual assault within the Marine Corps and providing continuity of care for victims of sexual assault through effective education, policy, and program support.
The SAPR Program is operational in both the garrison and deployed environments

10. Those Eligible for SAPR Services
All Active Duty Service Members
Reservists
Adult Dependents
Eligible for treatment in the military healthcare system when the offender is not the spouse or family member
DoD Civilians and Their Dependents
When stationed or working OCONUS
DoD Contractors

11. Key Roles in the SAPR Program
Victim
SARC
SAPR VA
Counselor
Command
Healthcare Provider
Chaplain/ RP
VLC

12. SAPR Personnel SARCs SAPR VAs
Ensure a continuum of care for victims
Serve as the SME and is the point of contact for commands and Marines affected by sexual assault or related retaliation
SAPR VAs
Engage Marines in trainings and innovative PMEs
Provide non-clinical support to victims throughout the process
Victim Advocates:
Are the first line of response for sexual assault issues in the unit
Provide advocacy services and complex training
Must be well-selected and have the trust and confidence of the command
Have privilege under MRE 514
Serve a vital role in the deployed environment

13. Services Provided by the SAPR Program
24/7 sexual assault crisis intervention
Nonclinical support and referring the victim to other supportive services (e.g. Victims’ Legal Counsel, clinical counseling, medical, chaplain).
Advocacy and accompaniment during medical, law enforcement, and judicial procedures
Systemic advocacy to ensure all victims receive a consistent response to their report
Support and services at next duty station (if the victim requests) through the SAPR network

14. Victim Reporting Options
Unrestricted Reporting
Initiates an official law enforcement investigation
& the support of the chain of command
Restricted Reporting
Allows the victim to report confidentially
& receive help without an investigation or command involvement

15. Unrestricted Reporting
Election made on the DD2910, “Victim’s Reporting Preference Statement” * (VRPS)
An official law enforcement investigation is conducted in order to hold the offender accountable
Command is notified and therefore able to provide the maximum care and support to the victim, i.e. MPO
Victim may chose NOT to participate in the law enforcement investigation
For an Unrestricted Report, the victim can contact:
Uniformed Victim Advocate (SAPR VA)*
Civilian Victim Advocate (SAPR VA)*
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)*
Healthcare Personnel
Command
Law Enforcement

16. Restricted Reporting
Supports victims who need more time or simply don’t feel comfortable coming forward
Election is made on the DD2910, VRPS*
A law enforcement investigation is not initiated
Command is not notified
The Installation Commander is notified within 24 hours that a Restricted Report has been filed however, no identifying information will be provided

17. Restricted Reporting Victim can only report to:
Uniformed/Civilian Victim Advocate*
SARC*
Healthcare Personnel
In some states, including California, medical providers are required to report sexual assault
Option can also be preserved if you speak to a:
Chaplain
Military Legal Assistance Attorney/VLC

18. Barriers to Reporting General Barriers Male Specific Barriers
Personal shame, guilt, embarrassment
Fear of repercussions
Concerns for privacy
Concerns that they will not be believed
Feel reporting will not make a difference
Fear of retaliation
Wanting/thinking they can handle it on their own
Thinking that what happened was not serious enough to report
How will I be trusted as a leader?
Fear of masculinity being questioned
Believe there is a lack of available resources
Fear of questions regarding their sexual orientation
Not wanting friends or family members to know
There are a lot of reasons a person who experienced sexual assault may not want to come forward and report it.
This slide lists some of the most common reasons people give for not wanting to come forward.
What on this list jumps out at you?
Keeping in mind that half of Marines who experience sexual assault are male why do you think there are barriers specific to male Marines?
A lot of these barriers are personal, how do we as leaders help create an environment that mitigates these barriers and allows Marines to come forward and get help?
But why are there barriers specific to males?

19. A Valuable Partnership
Working with your local
SAPR Program

20. A Valuable Resource to One Another
The Process
SAPR is focused on advocacy and supporting the victim through the processes
VWAP is focused on helping victims understand the military judicial process
Victim Support
SAPR will provide advocacy & accompaniment for as long as the victim desires
VWAP provides critical information to victims, this may occur after SAPR case has closed
Ideal Outcome
Both programs can work together seamlessly to provide maximum support to the victim

21. Connecting With The SAPR Program
A partnership allows both programs to work more efficiently toward protecting victims’ rights
A positive working relationship makes it easier to identify and resolve concerns for a victim
Victim has a “team” focused approach
Attend the Case Management Group (CMG) and High Risk Response Team (HRRT) when assigned to a victim’s case

22. Raise Awareness Together
Partner with the Installation SARC and Command SARCs on events that bring awareness to victims’ rights issues
April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM)
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
Join The Conversation PME
Monthly SAPR Newsletter
Consider an awareness campaign that continues throughout the year

23. Conclusion
Sexual assault is a serious crime impacting the Marine Corps
Both the VWAP and SAPR Programs play vital roles in victim care and assistance
Working together can greatly benefit victims of sexual assault