If you need support now call the DoD Safe Helpline (877) 995-5247 or 911. For other resources, see our Survivor Resources page​.

Reporting Options
The Air Force has avenues for reporting sexual assault in the form of Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting. Restricted Reporting allows a victim to report a Sexual Assault without triggering an investigation. It is intended to give the victim (survivor) time and control over the release of their information. Further, it also empowers the survivor to make an informed decision about participating in the criminal process.

• Restricted: Confidential reporting that allows a service member, cadet, adult dependent, or a defense civilian to report a sexual assault and seek support services such as mental health, victim advocacy, and legal representation. Office of Special Investigations (OSI) and chain of command will NOT be notified. Service Members, cadets, who desire Restricted Reporting must use one of the following reporting avenues Report to SARC, Victim Advocate, Chaplain, health care provider, AOC/AMT not in chain of command and/or any SAPR staff member.
• Unrestricted: Reporting option for service members, cadets, adult dependents, and defense civilians to report a sexual assault and seek accountability for the reported offender. An investigation will be initiated and “need to know” individuals in the chain of command will be notified. Respect for privacy remains a priority with this option, as well. When selecting Unrestricted Reporting, you should use current reporting channels, e.g. anyone who is a mandatory reporter.
• Independent: Reporting option for someone other than a victim, such as a friend, co-worker, or mandatory reporter, to report a sexual assault.

For more information see the USAFA page on reporting.

Reporting Facts
Statistics are from the 2018 Service Academy Gender Relations Survey (SAGR) and DoD Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2017-2018 and its appendices/annexes, unless otherwise noted.
​

• 87% of USAFA women experiencing Unwanted Sexual Contact (USC) did not report
• The Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies for Academic Program Year 2017-2018 finds that only 10% of the 221 (at USAFA) victims of USC officially reported the assault
• The Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies for Academic Program Year 2017-2018 identifies that across all three Military Service Academies (MSA) only 12% of sexual assault cases are reported

Top reasons cadets choose not to report:

• Thought it was not serious enough to report (#2 reason for USAFA Women, #1 reason for USAFA Men)
• Took care of the problem themself by forgetting about it and moving on (#4 reason for USAFA Women, #2 reason for USAFA Men)
• Took care of the problem themself by avoiding the person who assaulted them (#3 reason for USAFA Women, #4 reason for USAFA Men)
• Did not want more people to know (#1 reason for USAFA Women, #6 reason for USAFA Men)

Additionally, women who experience USC noted victim/survivor abuse-related reasons, such as “shame,” “gossip,” “not wanting others to know,” “feeling uncomfortable making the report,” and “thinking reporting would take too much time and effort” as reasons for not reporting in 25-39% of the responses depending on the category. These categories all increased dramatically (13-27% depending on the category) between 2016 and 2018 SAGR reports. Note that few male cadets report therefore statistics for male cadets choosing not to report due to victim/survivor abuse-related reasons are unavailable.

Top reasons cadet women choose to report:

• Because someone they told encouraged them to do so
• To stop the person(s) from hurting others
• To get mental health assistance
• To raise awareness that it occurs at the Academy

Note that few male cadets report therefore summary statistics for cadets choosing to report are unavailable.

Reasons military survivors in general choose not to report (SARC handout):

• Lack of privacy/confidentiality (loss of control over information)
• Stigma, fear, shame
• Fear of disciplinary action (collateral violation)
• Fear of re-victimization
• Fear of being reduced in the eyes of colleagues or the commander
• Fear of percieved operational impact (training, deployment, security clearance/PRP)