First things first
It is not your fault
It doesn't matter if you were drinking, knew the person, were in a relationship with them, didn't fight back, or froze. Freezing is a common, involuntary response to fear. The only person responsible for an assault is the person who committed it.
- Get somewhere safe. If you are in danger or badly hurt, call 911 or go to an emergency room.
- Reach someone you trust or a hotline. You don't have to go through this alone. The help lines below are open 24/7 and keep what you share private, with limited exceptions such as immediate danger.
- Think about medical care. You can get care for injuries, infection, and pregnancy prevention whether or not you ever report.
Medical care and evidence
A medical exam is about your health first. Some treatments work best soon:
- HIV prevention medicine (PEP) must be started within 72 hours.
- Emergency contraception works best as soon as possible and can be used up to 5 days after.
- Testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections, and care for any injuries.
A sexual assault forensic exam (SAFE) can also collect evidence in case you decide to report, now or later. It's generally done within 5 days (120 hours), and sooner is better. If you can, avoid showering, changing clothes, or using the bathroom before the exam. If you already have, you can still get an exam and care.
You can stop or skip any part of an exam. You can usually have an advocate with you.
If it was a spouse or partner, or a child was harmed
In the military, sexual assault by a spouse or intimate partner, and any abuse of a child, is handled by the Family Advocacy Program (FAP), not the SAPR program described below. FAP has its own advocates and reporting options.
Adult victims of domestic abuse
Restricted (confidential): talk to a FAP domestic abuse victim advocate or a health care provider. Law enforcement and command aren't notified, and you get counseling, advocacy, and safety planning. It isn't available if you're at immediate risk of serious harm, and some state laws require medical providers to report.
Unrestricted: law enforcement investigates and command is notified. You can seek a military or civilian protective order.
If a child is being harmed
There's no confidential reporting option for child abuse. It must be reported to law enforcement and child protective services. Call 911 if a child is in danger now, or call or text the Childhelp Hotline at 800-422-4453 for guidance.
To reach FAP, contact your installation's Family Advocacy office, ask your health care provider, or call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647. The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-7233) is available 24/7 in more than 140 languages. Source: Military OneSource, Domestic Abuse Reporting Options.
Reporting options for service members
For sexual assault by someone other than a spouse or intimate partner, the military's SAPR program offers two ways to report. Talking to a Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) or SAPR victim advocate first lets you learn about both before you choose.
| Restricted report | Unrestricted report | |
|---|---|---|
| Investigation | Your report doesn't start one. An investigation can still happen if someone else reports the assault. | Military law enforcement investigates. |
| Chain of command | Gets only non-identifying information. | Is notified. |
| Care and support | Medical care, counseling, advocacy, and legal advice. | Medical care, counseling, advocacy, legal help, and eligibility for an expedited transfer. |
| Can you change it later? | Yes. You can convert to unrestricted at any time. | No. It can't be made restricted. |
Who can take a restricted report
A SARC, a SAPR victim advocate, or military healthcare personnel, who will connect you to a SARC.
What can affect your options
Telling your commander does not by itself rule out a restricted report. Reporting to law enforcement yourself, including military investigators, does.
Free lawyer for you
Special Victims' Counsel or Victims' Legal Counsel are military attorneys who represent you, not the government. They're free and confidential, and available whether you file restricted or unrestricted.
Confidential conversations
Chaplains offer confidential communication but cannot take a report. They can help you connect with a SARC.
Evidence is kept
For a restricted report, a forensic exam kit is kept for 10 years. If you might convert later, tell your SARC before that period ends.
CATCH program
The Catch a Serial Offender program lets adult victims anonymously submit information about the suspect to help identify repeat offenders. You can take part with a restricted report, with an unrestricted report in which the suspect wasn't identified, or without filing any report. If there's a match, you're told and decide what to do next. A SARC can explain the conditions.
Restricted reporting is available to service members, adult military dependents, Reserve and Guard members, and DoD civilian employees in components with a SAPR program. DoD contractors and dependents of DoD civilian employees aren't currently eligible; civilian resources below can help. Source: DoD SAPR, Restricted Reporting.
Retaliation is prohibited
Reprisal, ostracism, or maltreatment because you reported or sought help is against the rules and can itself be reported. Tell your SARC, victim advocate, or legal counsel if it happens.
If you're not in the military
The National Sexual Assault Hotline can connect you to a local rape crisis center, where an advocate can explain your options, go with you to a hospital, and help if you decide to talk to police. In many places you can get a forensic exam without filing a police report.
If you're a student, your school also has confidential resources and a Title IX office. See the college page.
It happens to everyone
Sexual assault happens to people of every gender, sexual orientation, age, and rank. In the military, a large share of victims are men. Men often face extra barriers to speaking up, and support is available. 1in6 offers free, anonymous online support for men.
It can also happen within a relationship or marriage. A partner is not owed sex. See spouse or partner above for the right support.
In the days and weeks after
Trouble sleeping, numbness, fear, anger, shame, and difficulty concentrating are common reactions. There's no right way to feel, and healing doesn't follow a schedule.
- Counseling: your SARC can connect you, and Military OneSource offers free, confidential non-medical counseling at 800-342-9647.
- Veterans: the VA provides free care for experiences of military sexual trauma (MST), even if you didn't report it at the time.
- If you're thinking about suicide: call or text 988. Veterans and service members can press 1 for the Veterans Crisis Line.
Helping someone else?
If a friend told you something happened, the friends and bystanders page explains how to support them. If you're a leader or chaplain, see for leaders.
Sources
- DoD SAPR · Restricted Reporting
- DoD SAPR · Reporting Options
- DoD SAPR · CATCH Expanded Eligibility
- DoD SAPR · 10-Year Evidence Retention
- Military OneSource · Domestic Abuse Reporting Options
Last updated October 20, 2026. Educational adaptation; no legal or clinical review is claimed.