Restricted Reporting:
This enables someone to receive support services without triggering an official investigation. The following individuals have confidentiality, and they are ready to help:
- Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)
- SAPR Victim Advocate
- Healthcare Provider
- Chaplain*
- Victims’ Legal Counsel*
When a restricted report is made, medical care, advocacy and counseling services are available without notifying command or law enforcement officials. The SARC will notify the Commanding Officer of the Installation that an assault occurred without providing identifying information about the victim. A Marine who elects to make a restricted report can always change to an unrestricted report.
Victims are cautioned only to disclose a sexual assault to specified individuals to avoid third party reporting. If a victim discloses a sexual assault to a Marine in his or her direct chain of command, then the Marine is a mandated reporter, and required to make the appropriate notifications. ** Disclosure of a sexual assault does not automatically initiate an unrestricted report unless that disclosure is to Law Enforcement. The victim shall be referred to the SARC or SAPR VA to discuss reporting options.
*The SARC and SAPR VA are the only sources that can take the official report via form DD2910. All other individuals, including Healthcare personnel, counselors, Victim Legal Counsel (VLC) and chaplain, can maintain confidentiality but not make an official report.
** Victims choosing not to participate in the Military Criminal Investigation Organization (MCIO) investigations initiated upon third-party reports or by command (e.g., if a Service member reports a sex-related offense to a supervisor in the chain of command) may do so by signing a 540K Victim Preference Statement indicating their decision not to participate in an investigation. Victims are encouraged to consult with an SVC or VLC and provide the MCIOs with written notice of their decision as soon as possible.