Sexual assault is a criminal offense. It includes rape, forcible sodomy (oral or anal sex), and other unwanted sexual contact that is aggravated, abusive, or wrongful (to include unwanted and inappropriate sexual contact), or attempts to commit these acts. Nurturing a culture in the maritime industry free of sexual assault (and other prohibited behaviors) starts with each individual. The goal of Military Sealift Command's SAPR Program is to eliminate sexual assault within the command and to assist sailors, ashore and afloat staff worldwide affected by this horrendous crime. Incidents of sexual assault impact mission readiness, core values and are punishable under the Uniform Code of Military Justice (UCMJ) and other federal and local civilian laws.
Military: The DoD definition of sexual assault: Intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent.
Civilian: Sexual battery is intentional and offensive sexual contact and intercourse with a person who has not given or is incapable of giving consent. It is a sex crime that is considered a form of forced sexual contact. The force used can be physical or emotional (e.g. threat, intimidation, pressure, coercion).
"Consent" means words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual contact at issue by a competent person. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent.
What is SAPR?
The Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SAPR) program is a victim centrix program that offers crisis intervention for sexual assault victims, education, awareness, and comprehensive training. The intervention portion of the program is designed to support victims and their families as they deal with the many issues following sexual assault trauma.
What reporting options do I have?
Military victims have two reporting options (Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting). Restricted Reporting - allows a sexual assault victim to confidentially disclose the details of his or her assault to specified individuals, receive medical treatment, counseling, and assignment of a SARC and SAPR VA, without triggering command notification or law enforcement investigation. Unrestricted Reporting - this option is recommended for victims of sexual assault who desire an official law enforcement investigation and command notification. The same support services (medical, counseling, forensic exam) are afforded to victims who chose this option as well as advocacy. When selecting unrestricted reporting, victims should report to the UVA, chain of command, healthcare personnel, law enforcement or SARC. Details regarding the incident will be limited to only those personnel who have a legitimate need to know. To ensure maximum confidentiality, please report all sexual assaults to your SAPR VA or SARC.
Civilian victims have the option of making an unrestricted report and seek confidential response and care via the SAPR Program Manager, Installation SARC, SAPR VA or at the local Rape Crisis Center.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted, please call the MSC SAPR 24/7 hour crisis helpline at (757) 803-4530 or the DoD SAFE Helpline at (877) 995-5247. You may also access the DoD SAFE Helpline via the web at safehelpline.org. A trained SAPR VA will be assigned to you help you. The advocate will provide you with the information you need, explain to you the required procedures, assist you throughout the course of the process and answer your questions.