Marine Barracks Washington, D.C.

Restricted reporting allows a sexual assault victim to confidentially disclose the details of his or her assault to specified individuals and receive medical treatment and counseling, without triggering the official investigative process.  Service members who are sexually assaulted and desire restricted reporting under this policy may only report the assault to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Uniformed Victim Advocate (UVA), Victim Advocate (VA), or a Healthcare Provider (HCP).  However, consistent with current policy, they may also report the assault to a chaplain.  Although a report to a chaplain is not a restricted report under this policy or the provisions of this Directive, it is a communication that may be protected under the Military Rules of Evidence (MRE) or applicable statutes and regulations.  The restricted reporting process does not affect any privilege recognized under the MRE.  This Directive and its policy on restricted reporting is in addition to the current protections afforded privileged communications with a chaplain, and does not alter or affect those protections.

Healthcare providers will initiate the appropriate care and treatment, and report the sexual assault to the SARC in lieu of reporting the assault to law enforcement or the command.  Upon notification of a reported sexual assault, the SARC will immediately assign a UVA/VA to the victim.  The assigned Victim Advocate will provide accurate information on the process of restricted vice unrestricted reporting.

At the victim’s discretion/request an appropriately trained healthcare provider shall conduct a sexual assault forensic examination (SAFE), which may include the collection of evidence.  In the absence of a DoD provider, the service member will be referred to an appropriate civilian facility for the SAFE.

Who May Make A Restricted Report

Restricted reporting is available at this time only to military personnel of the Armed Forces and the Coast Guard.  Military personnel include members on active duty and members of the Reserve component (Reserve and National Guard) provided they are performing federal duty (active duty training or inactive duty training and members of the National Guard in Federal (Title 10) status).  Members of the Reserve Component not performing Federal duty are not eligible.  Retired members of any component are not eligible.  Dependents are not eligible.  DoD civilian employees are not eligible.

Example Restricted Reporting

• The SARC assigns a UVA/VA to assist Service Member Smith.  The UVA/VA meets Service Member Smith at the hospital and explains the Unrestricted/Restricted Reporting options and the processes associated with each, to include applicable pros/cons.

• Service Member Smith elects the Restricted Reporting option.

• Service Member Smith is asked if she would like a forensic examination, and she agrees.

• The UVA/VA advises the Healthcare Provider that Service Member Smith has elected the Restricted Reporting option and would like a SAFE.

• Forensic evidence of the assault is collected and preserved in a non-personally identifying manner.

• The Healthcare Provider determines and schedules follow-up medical treatment as appropriate.

• The UVA/VA advises the SARC that Service Member Smith has elected the Restricted Reporting option.

• Within 24 hours of Service Member Smith’s restricted report, the SARC will inform the Senior Commander that an assault has occurred, and provide the Commander with non-identifying personal information/details related to the sexual assault allegation.  This information includes: rank; gender; age; race; service; date; time and/or location. Information is disclosed in a manner that preserves the victim’s anonymity.  Careful consideration of which details to include is of particular significance at installations or other locations where there are a limited number of minority females or female officers assigned.

•  No criminal investigation will be initiated unless originated from another source or the victim elects to come forward via unrestricted reporting.  The Senior Commander identifies trends and takes appropriate measures (i.e. increased security patrols, enhanced education and training, enhanced environmental and safety measures) to prevent further sexual assaults.

• The SARC maintains information regarding the number of sexual assaults for both unrestricted and restricted reports.  Restricted report numbers will be included in the annual report.  The SARC will also capture trends and perform trend analysis.  SARC awareness of trends will be a first line of defense against a potential serial assailant.  The SARC can at any time return to Service Member Smith to ask if she is willing to reconsider her restricted reporting decision given the potential of a serial offender.

• The UVA/VA maintains communication and contact with the victim as needed for continued victim support.

Considerations when Electing a Restricted Reporting Decision

Benefits

• You receive appropriate medical treatment, advocacy, and counseling.
• Provides some personal space and time to consider your options and to begin the healing process.
• Empowers you to seek relevant information and support to make more informed decisions about participating in the criminal investigation.
• You control the release and management of your personal information.
• You decide whether and when to move forward with initiating an investigation.

Limitations

• Your assailant remains unpunished and capable of assaulting other victims.
• You cannot receive a military protective order.
• You will continue to have contact with your assailant, if he/she is in your organization or billeted with you.
• Evidence from the crime scene where the assault occurred will be lost, and the official investigation, should you switch to an unrestricted report, will likely encounter significant obstacles.