SARCs and SAPR victim advocates are responsible by law and Department of Defense and Air Force Instructions to protect the confidentiality of both restricted and unrestricted reports. (11) IG DoD, invoking whistle-blower protections in accordance with DoDD 7050.06. Training must Electronic Code of Federal Regulations (e-CFR), Chapter I. Days later, someone approaches you and says he was told by “Our first concern remains the health and well-being of the victim,” said Col. Mark Ediger, USAFE Surgeon General command surgeon. (2) The following exceptions to the prohibition against disclosures of Restricted Reporting authorize a disclosure of a Restricted Report only when the SJA consultation described as provided in paragraphs (f) and (g) of this section has occurred and only if one or more of the following conditions apply: (ii) Disclosure of the personally identifiable information of the military victim or their adult dependent is necessary to prevent or mitigate a serious and imminent threat to the health or safety of the victim or another person. This phone call is confidentiality and free of charge. (B) The victim has not already elected Restricted Reporting. Unauthorized disclosure has no impact on the status of the Restricted Report. Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) The Sexual Assault Resource Centre (SARC) is located in Perth and provides a range of free services to people in the metropolitan area affected by sexual violence SARC also provide free telephone advice/support to those in non-metropolitan areas and have a … SARCs and SAPR VAs must inform victims of the resources available to report instances of retaliation, reprisal, ostracism, maltreatment, sexual harassment, or to request a transfer or MPO. There are Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) personnel appointed at each of the commands within MCIPAC including: Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC) and SAPR Victim Advocates. A SARC is a building where victims of serious sexual violence such as rape receive a high-quality professional response to their needs, whether medical or otherwise. All Rights Reserved. Improper disclosure of confidential communications or improper release of medical information are prohibited and may result in disciplinary action pursuant to the UCMJ or other adverse personnel or administrative actions. 6), the SARC shall: o Comply with DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification requirements. (14) The MCIO, if the allegation is of an act that is criminal in nature and the victim filed an Unrestricted Report. New guidelines for restricted reporting of sexual assaults went into effect in U.S. Air Forces in Europe June 14. Service members and military dependents 18 years and older who have been sexually assaulted have two reporting options: Unrestricted or Restricted Reporting. For victims choosing either Restricted or Unrestricted Reporting, the following guidelines apply: (i) Details regarding the incident will be limited to only those personnel who have an official need to know. These thoughts came in response to an announced 4-hour event in which to process the SARC http://www.dtic.mil/whs/directives/corres/pdf/602518r.pdf. (1) Unrestricted reports to commanders. They will have oversight responsibility for the victim advocates, serve as chairperson of a case management group, track the dispositions of all military sexual assault cases for their designated area of responsibility, provide regular updates to the vice wing commander, and assist with training requirements. (5) Service personnel to invoke their Service-specific reporting procedures regarding such allegations in accordance with AD 2014/AFI 36-2909/SECNAVINST 5370.7D. The SARC or SAPR VA will explain the contents of the DD Form 2910 and request that the victim elect a reporting option on the form. The DoD seeks increased reporting by victims of sexual assault. Unrestricted Reporting of sexual assault is favored by the DoD. This confidential communication … Initiating medical care and treatment upon receipt of report. A SARC is a building where victims of serious sexual violence such as rape receive a high-quality professional response to their needs, whether medical or otherwise. In certain situations, information about a sexual assault may come to the commander's or DoD law enforcement official's (to include MCIO's) attention from a source independent of the Restricted Reporting avenues and an independent investigation is initiated. Unrestricted - Any disclosure of a sexual assault from a military member, military dependent or civilian without requesting confidentiality. This disclosure is limited to only the information necessary to process duty or disability determinations for Service members. When a sexual assault is reported through Unrestricted Reporting, a SARC shall be notified, respond or direct a SAPR VA to respond, and offer the victim healthcare treatment and a SAFE, and inform the victim of available resources. The allegation should immediately be reported to an MCIO. (a) Reporting options. (iii) Required for fitness for duty or disability determinations. (iii) Explain SAFE confidentiality to victims and the confidentiality … SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE PROGRAM PROCEDURES. As a result, this trust may eventually lead the victim to decide to pursue an investigation and convert the Restricted Report to an Unrestricted Report. Army policy promotes sensitive care and confidential reporting for victims of sexual … Respond to the following hypothetical case: A Service member reports a sexual assault to you and elects to make a Restricted Report. We are committed to delivering care and devoted to healing. The SARC shall provide the installation commander and the immediate commander of the sexual assault victim (if a civilian victim, then the immediate commander of alleged military offender) with information regarding all Unrestricted Reports within 24 hours of an Unrestricted Report of sexual assault. However, such risks shall not outweigh the overall interest in providing a Restricted Reporting option to sexual assault victims. The SARC is a new position intended to ensure effective sexual assault response and prevention efforts. If this occurs, a chaplain, SVC/VLC, and legal assistance attorney shall, with the victim's consent, facilitate contact with a SARC or SAPR VA to ensure that a victim is offered SAPR services and so that a DD Form 2910 can be completed. However, unauthorized or inadvertent disclosures made to a commander or law enforcement shall result in notification to the MCIO. Confidential Crisis Hotline 24/7: To speak to an advocate about your options, you may contact our hotline at (979) 731-1000. Pursuant to section 1565b(b)(3) of title 10, United States Code, as amended by Section 536 of Public Law 114-92, a member of the armed forces, or a dependent of a member, who is the victim of a sexual assault may elect to confidentially disclose the details of the assault to a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, a Sexual Assault Victim Advocate, or healthcare personnel as defined in DoD regulations, receive medical treatment, legal assistance or counseling, without initiating an official investigation of the allegations. Restricted Reporting does not create any actionable rights for the victim or alleged offender or constitute a grant of immunity for any actionable conduct by the alleged offender or the victim. Disclosure of a Restricted Report under these circumstances does not change the nature of the victim's Restricted Report, nor does it create an obligation for reporting to law enforcement or command for investigation. If at any time the victim who originally chose the Unrestricted Reporting option declines to participate in an investigation or prosecution, that decision should be honored in accordance with this subparagraph. Chaplains already possess confidentiality privilege. Improper disclosure of confidential communications, improper release of medical information, and other violations of this part and 32 CFR part 103 are prohibited and may result in discipline pursuant to the UCMJ or another Federal or State statute, loss of privileges, or other adverse personnel or administrative actions. See § 105.12 of this part. The SARC, SAPR VA, or healthcare personnel can disclose specifically requested information to those individuals with an official need to know, or as required by law or regulation. News for the Ramstein, Kaiserslautern, Landstuhl & Baumholder military communities in Germany, Customs fines Kinder Surprise egg mailers. In order to understand your reporting options, you can speak with a SARC, your Uniformed Victim Advocate, or a civilian victim advocate at the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (750-5852), or with a medical service provider. To set up a one-on-one appointment with the SARC, please call 425-304-3712. Exceptions to Restricted Reporting and disclosures. SARC is a free confidential service. Our expert team of highly qualified and experienced staff is committed to providing quality care to people who use our service. To ensure oversight of victim services for Restricted Report cases, the SARC will also confirm in her or his report that the victim has been offered SAPR advocacy services, an explanation of the notifications in the DD Form 2910; medical and mental healthcare and informed of his or her eligibility for an SVC/VLC. Approaches to resolve the sexual harassment complaint. process formal complaints (SARC) advisor to commander and unit confidentiality in sexual harassment complaints cannot be guaranteed nor promised to the complainant other than by the chaplain or a lawyer. The KMC SARC hotline is 480-SARC (7272) or 06371-47-7272. A system that is perceived as fair and treats victims with dignity and respect, and promotes privacy and confidentiality may have a positive impact in bringing victims forward to provide information about being assaulted. Generally people continue with sessions until they feel they have resolved the issue which prompted them to seek counselling. The installation commander can then use the information to enhance preventive measures, to enhance the education and training of the command's personnel, and to scrutinize more closely the organization's climate and culture for contributing factors. SAPR Data Collection Coordinator (DCC) The DCC obtains data on sexual assault incidents to meet Navy message reporting requirements. We are not affiliated with law enforcement or the criminal justice system. For the purposes of public safety and command responsibility, in the event of a Restricted Report, the SARC shall report non-PII concerning sexual assault incidents (without information that could reasonably lead to personal identification of the victim or the alleged assailant (see exception in § 105.8(e)(2)(ii)) only to the installation commander within 24 hours of the report. Kaiserslautern American - December 18, 2020. 5 DoD civilian employees and their family dependents and DoD contractors are only eligible for Unrestricted Reporting and for limited emergency care medical services at an MTF, unless that individual is otherwise eligible as a Service member or TRICARE beneficiary of the military health system to receive treatment in an MTF at no cost to them in accordance with 32 CFR part 103. (6) Independent investigations. If a victim elects this reporting option, a victim may convert a Restricted Report to an Unrestricted Report at any time. If the victim elects the Unrestricted Reporting option, a victim may not change from an Unrestricted to a Restricted Report. The aim of the new policy is to ensure victims receive medical care and victim advocacy regardless of whether they want to report the assault and start an investigation. (3) Non-participating victim (see § 105.3). If information about a sexual assault comes to a commander's attention from a source other than a victim (victim may have elected Restricted Reporting or where no report has been made by the victim), that commander shall immediately report the matter to an MCIO and an official (independent) investigation may be initiated based on that independently acquired information. The DoD also strongly supports applicable DoD law enforcement and criminal justice procedures that enable persons to be held appropriately accountable for sexual assault offenses and criminal dispositions. Consequently, the DoD recognizes a fundamental need to provide a confidential disclosure vehicle via the Restricted Reporting option. Until those determinations are made, only non-PII shall be disclosed. The Support, Advocacy & Resource Center (SARC) offers services to all community members in Benton and Franklin counties in Washington State. Knowledge of the support available and how to respond to a disclosure of sexual violence will ensure beneficiaries will receive the best support. This reporting option triggers an investigation, command notification, and allows a person who has been sexually assaulted to access healthcare treatment and the assignment of a SARC and a SAPR VA. Can be reported to the SARC, Chain of Command, law enforcement, Air Force Office of Special Investigations and may be investigated. (i) Only the SARC, SAPR VA, and healthcare personnel are designated as authorized to accept a Restricted Report. SAPR personnel are specifically trained to respond to reports of sexual assault and can answer any questions you may have. To achieve the dual objectives of victim support and offender accountability, DoD preference is for Unrestricted Reporting of sexual assaults to allow for the provision of victims' services and to pursue offender accountability, as appropriate. “The victim has plenty of time to make that decision; we just want to get them the help they deserve.”, Some victims do not report assaults because of the fear of operational impacts or adverse impacts on unit mission accomplishment, she said. • Per DoDI 6495.02 SAPR Program Procedures (p49, Enc. These services shall be made available to all eligible sexual assault victims. SARC generally provides up to 15 counselling sessions with a counsellor, depending on the needs of the individual. (5) Victim confiding in another person. The victim should be informed by the SARC or SAPR VA that the investigation may continue regardless of whether the victim participates. “We are committed to ensuring they receive medical care and support as soon as possible.” SARCS are now a recognised effective first step towards recovery from the trauma of a sexual assault and there are many established centres in England and Wales. You may speak with us with the assurance of confidentiality. Unrestricted Report: A service member can disclose, without requesting confidentiality or restricted reporting, that he or she has been the victim of sexual assault. In establishing the Restricted Reporting option, DoD recognizes that a victim may tell someone (e.g., roommate, friend, family member) that a sexual assault has occurred before considering whether to file a Restricted or Unrestricted Report. Restricted Reporting may not be available in all cases, (See §§ 105.3 and 105.8(a)(6).) Sexual Assault Resource Center (SARC): Elisha Wolfer, Director 35 W William St, Corning, NY 14830 755 E. Church Street, Elmira, NY 14901 Toll-Free Hotline:1- 888-810-0093 In the event of transitioning SARCs, the departing SARC shall inform their supervisor of the secure storage location of the DD Forms 2910, and the SARC supervisor will ensure the safe transfer of the DD Forms 2910. Decorated Christmas trees date back to 16th century, ‘Troubled Airman’ to CMSAF: Chief Wright’s story, Properly addressing mail destined for military post office, Online customs form for mail parcels, packages, SARCs give sexual assault victims confidentiality. (i) A victim's communication with another person (e.g., roommate, friend, family member) does not, in and of itself, prevent the victim from later electing to make a Restricted Report. Buyers beware! (c) Implementing DoD dual objectives. Oral, written, or electronic communications of personally identifiable information concerning a sexual assault victim and the sexual assault incident provided by the victim to the SARC, SAPR VA, or healthcare personnel in a Restricted Report. Restricted Reporting gives the installation commander a clearer picture of the reported sexual assaults within the command. A chaplain, SVC/VLC, or legal assistance attorney cannot accept a Restricted Report. This notification may be extended by the commander to 48 hours after the Unrestricted Report of the incident when there are extenuating circumstances in deployed environments. (i) Even if the victim chooses not to convert to an Unrestricted Report, or provide PII, the non-PII information provided by the SARC makes the installation commander aware that a sexual assault incident was reported to have occurred. If necessary, the competent medical authority will inform the certifying official that the person in question should be suspended or temporarily decertified from PRP status, as appropriate, without revealing that the person is a victim of sexual assault, thus preserving the Restricted Report. Copyright © 2020 Kaiserslautern American. (7) Mandatory reporting laws and cases investigated by civilian law enforcement. However, the victim cannot change from an Unrestricted to a Restricted Report. In cases where a victim elects Restricted Reporting, the SARC, SAPR VA, and healthcare personnel may not disclose confidential communications or the SAFE and the accompanying Kit to DoD law enforcement or command authorities, either within or outside the DoD, except as provided in this part. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY OF DEFENSE, Subchapter D. PERSONNEL, MILITARY AND CIVILIAN, Part 105. Report at any time or services ) commander or SARC to request Expedited... 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