SAPRR Glossary of Terms
Sexual Assault. Intentional sexual contact characterized by use of force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority, or when the victim does not or cannot consent. The term includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific UCMJ offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), or attempts to commit any of these acts.
Consent. A freely given agreement to the conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent through words or conduct means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance does not constitute consent. Submission resulting from the use of force, threat of force, or placing another person in fear also does not constitute consent. A current or previous dating or social or sexual relationship by itself, or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the conduct at issue, does not constitute consent.
Victim/Survivor: A person who alleges direct harm resulting from the commission of a sexual assault. This term is used interchangeably with “survivor”.
Bystander Intervention. A strategy that motivates and mobilizes people to act when they see, hear, or otherwise recognize signs of an inappropriate or unsafe situation, to act and prevent harm. An active bystander is someone who helps prevent violence or gets involved when violence occurs. Active bystanders intervene to: (1) help someone who may be a target for sexual assault or (2) prevent someone from becoming a perpetrator of sexual assault.
Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC). A SARC is a full-time, Coast Guard civilian employee who is trained to ensure appropriate care is coordinated and provided to victims of sexual assault. In addition, a SARC tracks the services provided to a victim of sexual assault from the initial report through final disposition and resolution. SARCs lead all SAPRR services in their area of responsibility (AOR) such as training and prevention activities.
Victim Advocate (VA). The collective term for Victim Advocate Program Specialist (VAPS) and Volunteer Victim Advocates (VVAs).
- VAPS. A Coast Guard civilian employee who is trained and credentialed to ensure appropriate care is coordinated and provided to victims of sexual assault. They can provide emotional support to the victim during interviews, medical procedures, and legal proceedings. The VAPS works in conjunction with the SARC, and receives taskings, mentorship, oversight, guidance, training, and support from the SARC.
- VVA. Trained and professionally credentialed Coast Guard active-duty and/or Reserve volunteers who advocate for the victim; a person who can provide emotional support to the victim during interviews, medical procedures, and legal proceedings. A VVA is also a prevention resource and assists the SARC and VAPS in prevention-related activities.
Restricted Report. A SAPRR-eligible victim of sexual assault makes this report by completing and signing a Victim Reporting Preference Statement (VRPS), Form CG-6095, and electing the Restricted Reporting option. Restricted Reports are not disclosed to law enforcement or anyone in the victim’s chain of command.
Unrestricted Report. A victim makes an Unrestricted Report by completing and signing the Victim Reporting Preference Statement (VRPS), Form CG-6095, and electing the Unrestricted Reporting option. The SARC will notify the victim’s CO/OINC as soon as possible after receiving notice of an Unrestricted Report; the victim’s CO/OINC is required to notify CGIS immediately.
Sexual Assault Forensic Exam (SAFE). The medical examination of a sexual assault victim under circumstances and controlled procedures to ensure the physical examination process, and the collection, handling, analysis, testing, and safekeeping of any bodily specimens, meet the requirements necessary for use as evidence in criminal proceedings. This exam is commonly known as a “rape kit.”
Privileged Communication. Conversation that takes place within the context of a protected relationship, such as that between an attorney and client, psychotherapist and patient, clergy/chaplain and penitent/parishioner, or SARC/VA and sexual assault victim.
Mandatory Reporter. A victim’s disclosure of their sexual assault to anyone currently serving in a criminal or civil investigative role or in the victim’s direct chain of command (to include the OOD, Watch Stander, or other command delegated authority when working in a command capacity), must be reported to the victim’s CO/OINC, CGIS, and SARC. Therefore, those in law enforcement and in the victim’s direct chain of command are considered “mandatory reporters.”