First and foremost, sexual assault is a crime an will not be tolerated in the Marine Corps. Sexual assault erodes trust and unit cohesion and is contrary to our core values of Honor, Courage, and Commitment. The crime of sexual assault is not restricted by gender, age, race, or spousal relationship.
Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by the use of force, physical threat of force, abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent (silence is not consent). Witnessing any such activity without taking action is equally incriminating and complicit.
Victims of sexual assault have two (2) reporting options: Unrestricted and Restricted Reporting. Both methods afford the victim emotional/psychological support, advocacy, medical assistance, and counseling.
Unrestricted Reporting:
Includes all suspected, alleged, or actual sexual assaults made known to law enforcement for formal investigation. An Unrestricted Report may be made to a Uniformed Victim Advocate (UVA), Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Civilian Victim Advocate (VA), Victim's Legal Counsel (VLC) representative or a health care provider (HCP), Chaplain, DoD SAFE Helpline, the Sexual Assault Support Line(s) or a member of your chain of command.
Restricted Reporting:
Affords military victims of sexual assault the option to make a confidential report without notification to law enforcement or the command. Restricted Reports may only be given to a UVA, SARC, CVA, VLC, Chaplain, or healthcare personnel for the initiation of supportive services and information.