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.
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.
The Safe to Report Policy
The “Safe to Report” (STR) policy states that IF a report of sexual assault is actually made, USAFA will not punish the minor misconduct (e.g. underage drinking, fraternization) that is committed close in time/place and directly related to the assault (see 2021 NDAA section 539a).
The primary intent of STR is to encourage survivors to report a sexual assault without fear of being punished for making the report. It recognizes that in the vast majority of cases, the command would have never known about these minor instances of misconduct, but for the report of sexual assault. The data collected at USAFA suggests that STR has been effective in achieving its primary goal of reducing barriers to reporting AND encouraging victims to report. Reporting numbers have been up the last few years and when asked if STR was part of their consideration in making a report, many victims said it was a contributing factor. In many instances, this policy also extends to witnesses called to testify, but discretion ultimately lies with the cadets' commander (and therefore what that witness chooses to disclose to that commander).
Lt Gen Jay Silveria and Brig Gen Michelle Edmondon addresses how the policy applies to USAFA specifically in their 5 Aug 2019 memorandum, which has since been incorporated into AF Cadet Wing Instruction 36-3501, paragraph 2.3.3.2. The DOD “Safe to Report” policy may be found in DAFI 51-201, paragraph 10.2.6.
The “Safe to Report” (STR) policy states that IF a report of sexual assault is actually made, USAFA will not punish the minor misconduct (e.g. underage drinking, fraternization) that is committed close in time/place and directly related to the assault (see 2021 NDAA section 539a).
The primary intent of STR is to encourage survivors to report a sexual assault without fear of being punished for making the report. It recognizes that in the vast majority of cases, the command would have never known about these minor instances of misconduct, but for the report of sexual assault. The data collected at USAFA suggests that STR has been effective in achieving its primary goal of reducing barriers to reporting AND encouraging victims to report. Reporting numbers have been up the last few years and when asked if STR was part of their consideration in making a report, many victims said it was a contributing factor. In many instances, this policy also extends to witnesses called to testify, but discretion ultimately lies with the cadets' commander (and therefore what that witness chooses to disclose to that commander).
Lt Gen Jay Silveria and Brig Gen Michelle Edmondon addresses how the policy applies to USAFA specifically in their 5 Aug 2019 memorandum, which has since been incorporated into AF Cadet Wing Instruction 36-3501, paragraph 2.3.3.2. The DOD “Safe to Report” policy may be found in DAFI 51-201, paragraph 10.2.6.
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.
Top reasons cadets choose not to report:
Top reasons cadet women choose to report:
Reasons military survivors in general choose not to report (SARC handout):
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)
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
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)