Sexual assault is criminal conduct that falls well short of the standards America expects of its men and women in uniform and is a violation of our Air Force Core Values.

Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual conduct characterized by the use of force, physical threat, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. Sexual assault includes rape, nonconsensual sodomy (oral or anal sex), indecent assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling), or attempts to commit these acts. Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender spousal relationship or the age of the victim.

Consent shall not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance. Consent is not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion, or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious.

Air Force victim advocates provide essential support, liaison services, and care to a sexual assault victim.

Victim advocates are DoD civilian employees selected by the SARC who have completed a 40-hour training course.

Responsibilities include:

• We provide crisis intervention, referral, and ongoing non-clinical support.
• We provide information on available options and resources to assist the victim in making informed decisions about the case.
• Services will continue until the victim states that support is no longer needed.
• Victim advocates do not provide counseling or other professional services to a victim.
• May be present with the victim, at the victim's request, during investigative interviews, legal proceedings, and medical examinations.

Provide Victims with independent, attorney-client privileged representation throughout the investigation and prosecution processes.

SVCS' role may include

• Advocacy to military justice actors, including commanders and convening authorities.
• Attending interviews and investigators, trial counsel, and counsel
• Providing in-court representation as permitted by the military judges
• Advocacy to other AF and DoD agencies as appropriate
• Advocacy to civilian prosecutors and agencies

Categories of victims of sexual assault are eligible for SVC

• Air Force members (AD/ARC in status at the time of offense); restricted and unrestricted report
• Adult Dependents of AF members if perpetrator is AF member; restricted and unrestricted report
• Other Service members and adult dependents if the perpetrator is an AF member; unrestricted report
• Other categories eligible as applicable if the perpetrator is an AF member: unrestricted report
• BMT and Technical Training students in entry-level status involved in an unprofessional relationship with physical contact of a sexual nature with faculty/ staff

SVCs are expected to increase victim empowerment, ability to be heard, and willingness to cooperate in the military justice system by enhancing their understanding of the process.

SVC can be requested locally through F.E. Warren's Judge Advocate Office at 307-773-2256 or the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator at 307-773-3483