SAPR office: always here for you

  • Published
  • By Mary Brown
  • Sexual Assault Prevention and Response coordinator
F.E. WARREN AIR FORCE BASE, Wyo. --  People come to the SAPR office to report anything they feel is out-of-line. The office asks two important questions: Are they safe? And do they need medical attention?

If someone informs the SAPR office they were sexually assaulted, they have two options available to them: to either open a case or just receive the necessary attention. It is each person's personal decision and a case will not be started unless they sign the paper work. If a person chooses not to open a case, they can come back later and ask to open a case

If the decision to open a case is made, and the person is active duty or a dependant over the age of 18, two more options become available: they can either have a restricted case or an unrestricted one. Civilians and retirees must have unrestricted reports.

An unrestricted case means law enforcement and the chain of command, with a need to know, will be involved. If a person chooses the restricted option, they can change their mind at a later date and go unrestricted, they just can't go the other way.

If the unrestricted option is chosen, the person will be sent to talk with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and their commander will be notified. The choice to participate in the investigation is still up to the victim.

The SAPR office will also ask the person if they would like to talk with a chaplain, someone from the Mental Health Clinic (on- or off-base), or a military family life consultant.

In addition, the SAPR office can put them in touch with a Victim Witness Assistance Program representative in the legal office.

A victim advocate is available every day at any time. They can listen to concerns or accompany victims to any medical appointments. If a victim chooses to participate in the investigation, a victim advocate can also escort them to any OSI or legal appointments. In addition to the SAPR office, they can provide a number of resources and references, on and off base. Like the SAPR office personnel, the victim advocate has confidentiality..

Even if a person who goes through a permanent change of station to another base, the SAPR office here won't give up helping. The office can transfer the person's case, and help deal with the SAPR office and a victim advocate office at the next base. Support will not end until the victim decides they don't need it any more, regardless of the status of any legal actions.

Separation from the military could impact the use of military services. If someone doesn't have access to military facilities or agencies, there is a multitude of civilian resources available to clients.

The mission of the SAPR office is to support the client. Research shows that perpetrators who commit sexual assaults are usually serial offenders who won't stop as long as they're getting away with what they're doing. They can be successfully investigated if the report is unrestricted and the client participates in the investigation. The final decision is up to the victim.

If you have any questions, call the SAPR 24/7 helpline at 773-6444. For more information, check out the DOD SAFE Helpline at 877-995-5247 or https://safehelpline.org/