The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office will act as the primary contact for facilitating victim support services, promoting training and awareness about sexual assault, and offering policy and program assistance to commands stationed at MCAGCC Twentynine Palms.
Objectives of the Installation’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program
The goals of this program are focused on enhancing and improving:
- Prevention through comprehensive training and educational initiatives
- Support and treatment for victims
- Accountability within the system
The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program is a voluntary initiative designed to prevent sexual assault within the U.S. military and to provide comprehensive support and recovery resources to individuals affected by sexual assault.
29 Palms Confidential 24/7 Sexual Assault Line
760-799-0273
SEXUAL ASSAULT
Intentional sexual contact characterized by the use of force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. This 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.
DoDI 6495.02, Volume 1, “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures,” March 28, 2013, as amended, Incorporating Change 8, July 26, 2024.
SEXUAL ASSAULT RESPONSE COORDINATOR
Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) act as the primary contact within an installation, command, or designated geographic area. Their duties include:
- Overseeing initiatives related to sexual assault awareness and prevention
- Providing training for response to incidents
- Coordinating medical treatment and emergency care for victims
- Tracking the services provided to a victim from the initial report to final resolution
Additional policy and guidance are provided in the DoDI 6495.02, Volume 1, “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures,” March 28, 2013, as amended, Incorporating Change 8, July 26, 2024.
SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE VICTIM ADVOCATE
The SAPR Victim Advocate (VA) plays a crucial role in coordinating referrals for victim services and providing non-clinical support to those affected by sexual assault. They ensure that care is aligned with the SAPR Policy Toolkit protocols, which can be found at www.sapr.mil, and assist victims in accessing essential services. Adhering to the standards set forth in DoD Instruction 6495.02, Volume 1, they offer information that empowers victims to make informed choices. In cases involving adults, the SAPR VA reports directly to the SARC and advocates on behalf of adult victims.
DoD Instruction 6495.02, Volume 1, “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures,” March 28, 2013, as amended, Incorporating Change 8, July 26, 2024.
RESTRICTED REPORTING
The Restricted Reporting option allows adult sexual assault victims to confidentially disclose the incident to designated individuals (such as SARC, SAPR VA, or healthcare personnel) without revealing their name or other personally identifiable information to the command. Victims can receive healthcare services (both medical and mental health) and be assigned a SARC and SAPR VA.
Key Points
- A victim can report directly to a SARC, who will either respond or direct a SAPR VA to explain the contents of the DD Form 2910, including available healthcare treatment and resources, if eligible.
- This option is available to Service members, military dependents aged 18 and older, and DoD civilian employees who are part of an established SAPR Program.
- National Guard and Reserve members may also qualify for Restricted Reporting.
- In jurisdictions with mandatory reporting requirements, Restricted Reporting may not be available if a victim initially reports to a civilian facility or authority.
- However, section 536 of Public Law 114-92, “National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016,” preempts these mandatory reporting laws when a victim reports to a SARC, SAPR VA, or healthcare personnel on a military installation, except when disclosure of personally identifiable information is necessary to avert an imminent threat to someone's health or safety.
Victims have the option to convert a Restricted Report to an Unrestricted Report at any time, with the conversion documented by both the victim's signature and that of the SARC or SAPR VA on the DD Form 2910.
Expanded Eligibility for Restricted Reporting
Victims covered under DoD Instruction 6495.02, Volume 1, “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures,” are eligible to file a Restricted Report, provided they have not personally reported the incident to law enforcement (including MCIOs), unless the Law Enforcement Sexual Assault Victim Disclosure Exception in DoDI 5505.18 applies. Additionally, they must not have previously filed an Unrestricted Report with a signed DD Form 2910 for the same incident.
Victims can file Restricted Reports even if:
- The sexual assault was inadvertently or previously disclosed to command by the victim, suspect, or a third party.
- The incident was reported to law enforcement, including MCIOs, by someone other than the victim.
- An investigation has been initiated, is in progress, or has been concluded.
UNRESTRICTED REPORTING
The Unrestricted Reporting option initiates investigations and includes command (or civilian equivalents) and OSTC notifications. This option also allows individuals who have experienced sexual assault to access both medical and mental health services, while facilitating the assignment of a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and a Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA).
Key Points
- A victim cannot change their Unrestricted Report to a Restricted Report.
- When a sexual assault is reported under Unrestricted Reporting, a SARC must be notified and either respond personally or direct a SAPR VA to respond. They will ensure the victim receives healthcare treatment and a Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE), while also informing the victim about available resources.
The SARC or SAPR VA will clarify the details of the DD Form 2910 (applicable for service members, Reserve Component, and adult military dependents aged 18 and older) and will ask the victim to select their preferred reporting option on the form. If the Unrestricted option is chosen, the completed DD Form 2701, which outlines victims' rights and points of contact, will be provided to the victim in Unrestricted Reporting cases.
For additional policies and guidance, refer to the DoD Instruction 6495.02, Volume 1, titled “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures,” dated March 28, 2013, with amendments incorporating Change 8 on July 26, 2024.
VICTIMS’ LEGAL COUNSEL
The Marine Corps Victims' Legal Counsel Organization is dedicated to offering legal advice, counseling, and representation to victims of sexual assault and other crimes, ensuring that victims' rights are safeguarded throughout the military justice process.
For details regarding the Victims' Legal Counsel Organization, visit the VLCO webpage.
CATCH A SERIAL OFFENDER (CATCH) PROGRAM
The Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program is a voluntary initiative that allows eligible adult sexual assault victims to anonymously submit an entry to the CATCH database. This helps determine if the suspect in their report may have assaulted others, identifying a potential match on the CATCH website.
Implementation and Access
The CATCH Program follows the procedures outlined in DoDI 5505.18, “Investigation of Adult Sexual Assault in the Department of Defense,” dated March 22, 2017, as amended, including Change 5 on July 26, 2024, along with the guidelines in the USD(P&R) CATCH Memo.
Eligibility Criteria
According to DoD Instruction 6495.02, Volume 1, “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures,” dated March 28, 2013, as amended with Change 8 on July 26, 2024, eligible adult sexual assault victims include those who:
- Restricted Reports:
- Have filed or are in the process of filing a Restricted Report using a DD Form 2910.
- A Restricted Report will not be converted to an Unrestricted Report based on information provided to the CATCH Program without the victim's written consent on a revised DD Form 2910.
- Unrestricted Reports:
- Have filed or are filing an Unrestricted Report using a DD Form 2910, where the suspect's identity has not been disclosed by the victim or uncovered by law enforcement, including MCIOs (e.g., third-party reports without suspect identification).
- No Official Report:
- Do not wish to or are not ready to file an official sexual assault report (using a DD Form 2910 or with law enforcement) but still want to submit an entry into the CATCH System.
Eligible victims can submit a SAPR-related inquiry (SRI) CATCH Entry through a SARC or SAPR VA using a DD Form 2910-4, “Catch A Serial Offender (CATCH) Program Explanation and Notification Form for SAPR Related Inquiry (SRI) CATCH Entries.” If a potential match is identified, the SRI CATCH Entry victim can choose whether to file an Unrestricted Report and/or participate in the MCIO investigation.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
The contacts below also offer support to victims; however, your report may not be confidential.
On Base
- Provost Marshal's Office (PMO): 760-830-6810
- Robert E. Bush Naval Hospital: 760-668-1359
- Family Advocacy Program (FAP): 760-830-6345 (Available Monday through Friday, 0800-1600)
- Staff Judge Advocate (SJA); 760-830-5060 (Available Monday through Friday, 0800-1600
- Mental Health: 760-830-2935 (Available Monday through Friday, 0800-1600
- Regional SARC: Office 760-830-4997; Cell 760-401-2301
- Installation SARC: Office 760-830-7332; Cell 760-401-5182
- SAPR Victim Advocate: Cell 760-362-9074; Cell 760-900-6555
- Chaplain: 760-861-4739
- Community Counseling Program: 760-830-7277
- Confidential 24/7 Sexual Assault Line: (760) 799-0273
Community
- Partners Against Violence, Yucca Valley: 760-369-3353
- Suicide & Crisis Lifeline: 988
National Resources