Common Definitions
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program – A DoD program for the Military Departments and the DoD Components that establishes SAPR policies to be implemented worldwide. The program objective is an environment and military community intolerant of sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) – The SARC shall serve as the central point of contact for coordinating appropriate and responsive care for victims of sexual assault. SARCs shall coordinate sexual assault victim care and response when there is a report made. The SARC supervises SAPR VAs as they execute their duties. The SARC is a confidential resource.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA) – An individual who, provides non-clinical crisis intervention, referral, and ongoing non-clinical support to adult victims of sexual assault. Support will include providing information on available options and resources to victims and facilitates communication with other organizations and agencies on victim care matters. SAPR VAs are confidential resources and only report SAPR matters directly to the SARC.
Confidentiality – Confidentiality means that what is said to the SARC or SAPR VA stays between the victim and the SAPR program. The limits to confidentiality are if you are going to hurt yourself, hurt someone else, or a minor is in danger. In those instances, only that information is shared with a higher level of care.
Sexual assault -. Intentional sexual contact characterized by force, threats, intimidation, abuse of authority, or when the individual does not or cannot consent to the conduct taking place or about to take place. It is a crime punishable by the UCMJ.
Consent - A freely given agreement to the conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent in words or behavior means that there is no consent. Consent must be given by all parties before any sexual contact. Anyone can withdraw their consent at any point, for any reason during the sexual contact. Consent is an active and ongoing dialogue. Lack of verbal or physical resistance does not constitute consent. Submission to sexual advances resulting from use of force, threat of force, coercion, or placing another person in fear is not consent.
Sexual Harassment - A form of sexual discrimination that infringes on a person’s right to work in a professional environment free from unwanted sexual attention or sexual pressure. It is the knowing, reckless, or intentional conduct that involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and deliberate or repeated offensive comments or gestures of a sexual nature electronically, through social media, through other forms of communication, and in person. Complaints should be filed with the Equal Opportunity Representative within 90 days of the offending Incident. Please reach out to the Battalion EO Representative for more information or to file a sexual harassment complaint.