Sexual Assault Prevention & Response

United States Air Force Academy
“Just as we prepare our warfighters to win against foreign adversaries, we must prepare our future leaders to fight against the adversaries of predators, cultural acceptance or casual attitudes,” Lieutenant General Tony Bauernfeind said. “We must equip our future leaders to create a culture where we protect one another and never allow someone in our midst to inflict harm on one of our own.”
– 2024 National Discussion empowers military service academies to cultivate healthy culture climates
U.S. Air Force Academy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Mission
The US Air Force Academy SAPR Team is under the direction of the Lead Sexual Assault Response Coordinator and consists of three additional Sexual Assault Response Coordinators, along with Department of Defense (DoD) civilian victim advocates. All US Air Force Academy SAPR personnel are nationally credentialed, by the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP), granting Military Rules of Evidence (MRE) 514 privileged communication. To view the MREs, go to Part III, Military Rules of Evidence in the Manual for Courts Martial: https://jsc.defense.gov/Military-Law/Current-Publications-and-Updates/
The US Air Force Academy SAPR Team provides professional trauma-informed victim advocacy, resource referral, prevention education, and outreach services and supports to the US Air Force Academy Headquarters, Cadet Wing, 10th Air Base Wing, US Air Force Academy Preparatory School, and other mission partners.
Office Locations
Victim advocacy is available 24/7 by calling the US Air Force Academy SAPR hotline: (719) 333-7272 (SARC). The SAPR Team has capability to transport sexual assault survivors to off base medical care at UCHealth Memorial and UCHealth Central.
Vandenberg Hall
2360 Vandenberg Dr, Rm 3B16
Air Force Academy, CO 80840
(719) 333-2369 / 2362
What is Sexual Harassment?
Section 1561 of Title 10, United States Code defines “sexual harassment” as conduct that:
- Involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and deliberate or repeated offensive comments or gestures of a sexual nature when: 3 Appendix F: Sexual Harassment Assessment
- Such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of a person’s job, pay, or career; or
- Submission to or rejection of such conduct by a person is used as a basis for career or employment decisions affecting that person; or such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual’s work performance or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment; and
- Is so severe or pervasive that a reasonable person would perceive, and the victim does perceive, the environment as hostile or offensive.
What is Sexual Assault?
Sexual assault is a crime. It is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent.
Sexual assault includes:
- Rape
- Sexual Assault
- Aggravated / Abusive Sexual Contact
- Nonconsensual sodomy (oral or anal sex)
- Indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling) or attempts to commit these acts
Sexual assault can occur without regard to sex or spousal relationship or age of victim.
Assault Survivors
Do not have to tell law enforcement or their chain of command about a sexual assault to receive care or assistance.
A Victims’ Counsel (VC) and paralegal team may represent victims/survivors of sexual assault.
A VC must be requested by the victim/survivor and is granted in cases where the victim/survivor meets eligibility criteria, or when exceptional circumstances warrant the provision of services.
VCs are available for those who make either a RESTRICTED or UNRESTRICTED report.
Reporting Options
- Unrestricted Reporting
An unrestricted report allows adult victims of sexual assault to report crimes without requesting confidentiality of their allegations. When you file an unrestricted report, DoD law enforcement will initiate an investigation, and your chain of command is notified. This reporting option allows you to receive medical care, advocacy services, legal support, and eligibility for expedited transfer. You may also report retaliation to the SAPR program.
You can submit an unrestricted report to the following:
- Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
- SAPR Victim Advocate (SAPR VA)
- Law Enforcement/MCIO
- Commander
- Health care personnel (These personnel will not personally take the official report but will immediately call a SARC)
- Restricted Reporting
A restricted report allows adult victims of sexual assault to confidentially report the crime to specified individuals without triggering an investigation. Information provided to the chain of command does not reveal personally identifying information about the victim or alleged offender. Restricted Reporting enables the victim to access legal advice, healthcare (including medical and mental health services), and advocacy support.
You can submit a restricted report to the following:
- Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
- SAPR Victim Advocate (VA)
- Healthcare Provider or Personnel (These personnel will not personally take the official report but will immediately call a SARC)
For more information on restricted reporting options, please visit https://www.sapr.mil/restricted-reporting.
- Retaliation
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program is available to provide advocacy and referrals to anyone who reports retaliation, reprisal, ostracism, or maltreatment resulting from an allegation of sexual assault.
Within the SAPR program, you are eligible to file a Retaliation Report on a DD Form 2910-2 if you are:
- An adult victim of sexual assault who filed an Unrestricted Report of sexual assault
- A family member of an adult victim of sexual assault
- A bystander who intervened
- A witness
- A SARC or SAPR VA
- A responder on the sexual assault case (ex. MCIO, SVC/VLC/VC, SAFE Examiner, Commander)
- Associated with the incident (ex. a roommate, friend, co-worker)
Resources
USAFA SAPR Trifold
Victims Bill of Rights
Victims’ Counsel Trifold
DAF Safe-to-Report Policy
Encouraged to Report Policy
Superintendent Policy on Harassment – Zero Tolerance
DOD IG
Military One Source
U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affairs
CATCH a Serial Offender Program
Employee Assistance Program