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SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE

The 55th Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program actively commits to the safety and well-being of all Airmen and family members assigned to Offutt Air Force Base. It is our goal to provide; quality victim care; improve incident reporting--restricted or unrestricted; and increase awareness and preventive behavior through community education. Sexual assault directly contradicts our core values and harms individuals and the units they serve. This office is committed to an aggressive, proactive program to fight and prevent sexual assaults.

SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATOR

The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator serves as the single point of contact for integrating and coordinating sexual assault victim care from an initial report of sexual assault, through disposition and resolution of issues related to the victim's health and well-being. The SARC is responsible for ensuring a victim support system that provides a 24-hour / 7-day-a-week sexual assault response capability for all victims within his or her designated area of responsibility, which is normally the installation to which assigned and any geographically separated units (GSUs) attached to the installation.

Sexual Assault Defined

Sexual Assault is criminal conduct that falls well short of the standards America expects of its men and women in uniform and is a violation of our Air Force Core Values. 

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), or attempts to commit these offenses. 

Consent is words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the accused's use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. A current or previous dating relationship or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue shall not constitute consent. There is no consent where the person is sleeping or incapacitated, such as due to age, alcohol or drugs, or mental incapacity.

Reporting Options

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

Restricted Reporting allows sexual assault victims to confidentially disclose the assault to specified individuals (i.e., SARC, SAPR VA, Chaplains or healthcare personnel), and receive medical treatment, including emergency care, counseling, and assignment of a SARC and SAPR VA, without triggering an investigation. It is intended to give the victim (survivor) time and control over the release of their information. Further, it also empowers the survivor to make an informed decision about participating in the criminal process.

Restricted Reporting is available for:
- All Service members and their Dependents over the age of 18, Reservists, National Guard, and DoD Civilian employees

Unrestricted Reporting is any report of sexual assault made through normal reporting channels (for example: reports to chain of command, security forces, and/or Air Force Office of Investigation). This reporting option triggers an investigation, command notification, and allows a person who has been sexually assaulted to access medical treatment and counseling.

Unrestricted Reporting is available for:
- All Service members and their Dependents over the age of 18, Reservists, National Guard and DoD Civilian employees

Independent Reporting is an assault reported by someone other than the victim.

Offutt AFB Reporting Options

WHEN REPORTING A SEXUAL ASSAULT A victim decides how to report and receive services. 

Restricted Reporting:  Ensures medical care, treatment and counseling without notifying command or law enforcement officials. You keep the control, over the release of information regarding your case. 
The Process: 
-  Contact SARC at (402) 232-9999 
-  Command is not notified 
- SARC or Victim Advocate attends to victim needs - provides supportive services 
-  Victim can make unrestricted reporting decision at a later date 

Unrestricted Reporting:  Ensures medical care, treatment and counseling. 
The Process: 
-  Contact SARC at (402) 232-9999 
-  Command is notified 
- SARC or Victim Advocate attends to victim needs - provides supportive services 
-  Investigation initiated  

**If you have questions, the SARC office can be reached 24/7 by calling (402) 232-9999**