Fort McCoy
Army Community Service 
School House
"Information and Opportunities"

Reporting Options
Sexual assault continues to be one of the most underreported crimes in America today. Since this is the case across the nation, creating a climate of confidence where victims feel comfortable coming forward to report sexual assault crimes continues to be a top priority of the Department of Defense (DoD) in its fight to eliminate sexual assault crimes in the military. In previous years, a report of sexual assault automatically triggered a criminal investigation.  Unfortunately, this did not accommodate victims who felt emotionally unprepared for criminal investigations due to fear, embarrassment, shame and the sense of violation following an assault, but significant changes in DoD policy now address this challenge.

In June 2005, DoD initiated a policy giving victims two different reporting options – restricted and unrestricted reporting. Restricted reporting provides a victim the opportunity to confidentially disclose the details of a sexual assault to specified individuals and receive medical treatment and support services without triggering the investigative process. This option affords victims additional time to weigh their options and seek guidance regarding whether or not to participate in a criminal investigation.  An unrestricted report initiates an official investigation of an alleged sexual assault using current reporting channels. Victims receive the same medical care given in the restricted option, but this option conversely notifies command authorities immediately, initiating the investigative process.  Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) or Victim Advocates (VAs) advise victims on the different reporting options available, explaining the benefits and limitations of each and documenting the reporting option selected. A victim must acknowledge his or her reporting preference in a signed Victim Reporting Preference Statement and acknowledge that depending on the reporting option chosen, it may limit the ability of the Government to prosecute the offender. The Preference Statement also lists the exceptions that apply to restricted reporting.  Increasing a victim’s reporting options and improving access to the services will help the DoD create a “climate of confidence” in which Service members will trust that the system will respond appropriately when reporting a sexual assault and stand behind them during their recovery.

Army Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Program
Sexual assault is a crime. It is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat, abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault has no place in the Army. It degrades mission readiness by affecting the ability to work as a team. Sexual assault is incompatible with Army values.