Marines


SAPR
Twentynine Palms Logo
Twentynine Palms, California
Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program will serve as the single point of contact to facilitate victim support services, promote sexual assault training and awareness, and provide policy and program assistance to commands located aboard the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center, Twentynine Palms, CA.

  • Prevention through training and education programs

  • Treatment and support of victims

  • System accountability

Sexual Assault is the most under reported crime in our society and in the military. While the Department of Defense prefers complete reporting of sexual assaults to activate both victims' services and law enforcement actions, it recognizes that some victims desire only medical and support services and no command or law enforcement involvement.

The Department believes its first priority is for victims to be protected, treated with dignity and respect, and to receive the medical treatment, care and counseling that they deserve. Under DoD's Confidentiality Policy, military victims of sexual assault have two reporting options - Restricted reporting and Unrestricted reporting. Military retirees, dependents, and other civilian victims currently may use only Unrestricted reporting.

As the Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) aboard the Combat Center, it is our responsibility to provide confidential support and services to victims of sexual assault. If you or someone you know needs assistance regarding a sexual assault, we are here to help you. Other resources at your disposal are your unit’s SAPR Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs). Every battalion/squadron has at least two trained and assigned SAPR VAs who are ready to assist a sexual assault victim. Rest assured that your discussion with a SAPR VA is confidential.

Installation SARC, Mary Shook
Office: 760-830-4997
Cell: 760-401-2301

Alternate Installation SARC, Alexis Clawson
Office: 760-830-7332
Cell: 760-401-5182

To confidentially reach a SAPR Victim Advocate 24/7 call (760) 799-0273

ROLE OF VICTIM ADVOCATE

Sexual Assault is the most under reported crime in our society and in the military. While the Department of Defense prefers complete reporting of sexual assaults to activate both victims' services and law enforcement actions, it recognizes that some victims desire only medical and support services and no command or law enforcement involvement. The Department believes its first priority is for victims to be protected, treated with dignity and respect, and to receive the medical treatment, care and counseling that they deserve. Under DoD's Confidentiality Policy, military victims of sexual assault have two reporting options - Restricted reporting and Unrestricted reporting. Military retirees, dependents, and other civilian victims currently may use only Unrestricted reporting.

The SVAs provide essential support and care to the victim to include providing non-clinical information on available options and resources to assist the victim in making informed decisions as they progress through resolution and healing. A SAPR Victim Advocate may be military or civilian. The SAPR VA maintains communications and contact with the victim as needed for continued victim support.

 

ROLE OF THE INSTALLATION VICTIM ADVOCATE AND SAPR VICTIM ADVOCATE

  • Support: continuous victim support throughout the process

  • Information: provides all information to the victim so that he/she can make the best decision

  • Referral for Resources: Serve as liaison between victim and service providers

  • Support through initial/ongoing investigation

  • Support through court proceedings

  • Conduct annual sexual assault training and pre-deployment sexual assault briefs for commands

  • Reports directly to Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) for Victim Advocate duties

  • SAPR VA provides victim support until able to conduct a warm hand off to an Installation Victim Advocate

  • Facilitates Monthly Case Status Updates

  • Available to respond 24/7

To confidentially reach a SAPR Victim Advocate 24/7 call (760) 799-0273

RESTRICTED REPORTING

Restricted reporting allows victims of sexual assault to receive appropriate treatment, victim advocacy, and counseling services without triggering a formal report to PMO, NCIS, and the chain of command. Restricted Reporting protects the victim's identity and, except in the rarest of instances, assures absolute confidentiality.
 

UNRESTRICTED REPORTING

Unrestricted reporting allows victims of sexual assault to receive appropriate medical treatment, victim advocacy, and counseling services. Unrestricted Reporting informs the victim's chain of command, affords maximum protection of the victim from his or her offender, and ensures a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the assault in order to hold offenders accountable for their criminal conduct.

In order to make a fully informed choice between restricted versus unrestricted reporting, speak to a SAPR Victim Advocate in the unit, or speak to a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), or with a SAPR civilian victim advocate (760) 799-0273. Once you inform law enforcement officials or a representative from your command, a restricted report is no longer an option.

Restricted reporting allows victims of sexual assault to receive support and counseling services without a law enforcement investigation or chain of command involvement. Restricted reporting protects the victim’s identity and, except in rare instances, assures absolute confidentiality.

Unrestricted reporting allows victims of sexual assault to receive support, advocacy, a forensic exam, and counseling with a law enforcement investigation and the support of the chain of command. Unrestricted reporting informs the victim’s chain of command, affords maximum protection of the victim from the offender, and ensures a thorough investigation of the circumstances of the assault in order to hold the offender(s) accountable for the criminal conduct.

In order to make a fully informed choice, restricted reporting versus unrestricted reporting, be sure to speak to a SARC, your SAPR VAs, or a chaplain. You also have the option of calling the DoD SafeHelpline for confidential, live one-on-one help at (877) 995-5247 or visit their website at www.SafeHelpline.org. In the event of an emergency, call 911 from any landline, or dial (760) 830-3333 if you are calling from a cell phone. Once you inform law enforcement officials, restricted reporting is no longer an option. Additionally, in California, medical care providers are required to report sexual assault to law enforcement unless they are a military medical provider affiliated with a military hospital. Medical staff within Naval Hospital Twentynine Palms are not mandated to report to law enforcement.

Protect your right to privacy by understanding your reporting options before you discuss your personal situation with anyone else.

To confidentially reach a SAPR Victim Advocate 24/7 call (760) 799-0273

BASE RESOURCES

The contacts below also offer support to victims, however your report may not be confidential.

  • Provost Marshal's Office (PMO): 760-830-6810

  • Family Advocacy Program (FAP): 760-830-6345 *Available Monday through Friday, 0800-1600

  • Robert E. Busch Naval Hospital: 760-668-1359

  • Staff Judge Advocate (SJA); 760-830-5060 *Available Monday through Friday, 0800-1600

  • Mental Health: 760-830-2935 *Available Monday through Friday, 0800-1600

LOCAL RESOURCES

  • Partners Against Violence, Yucca Valley: 760-369-3353
     

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

NOTE: The reference for Line of Duty (LOD) determinations can be found in MCO 1752.5C, Chapter 3 par 9.

Installation SARC, Mary Shook
Office: 760-830-4997
Cell: 760-401-2301

Alternate Installation SARC, Alexis Clawson
Office: 760-830-7332
Cell: 760-401-5182

To confidentially reach a SAPR Victim Advocate 24/7 call (760) 799-0273

You may also contact your Battalion's SAPR Victim Advocate (SVA).

The SVA can provide a confidential sexual assault report 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

MCAGCC CG's Policy Letter

White Letter No. 2-12 Sexual Assault

White Letter on Collateral Misconduct

Sex Offenders Prohibited in Housing

Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms