Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Definitions
SARC/VA: Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (also referred to SHARP in the US Army) serves
as the single point of contact for coordinating the care and resources for sexual assault victims
on any major DoD military installations. The SARC also works with VA Specialists (Victims
Advocate) and will usually assign one to each victims case.
Unrestricted Reporting: This option allows victims of sexual assault to launch an official
investigation of the crime, while also receiving medical treatment, SARC/SHARP Specialist and
VA/SHARP Specialist assistance, legal assistance, and counseling.
How to report: You can report the incident directly to the local SARC/SHARP Specialist
or VA/SHARP Specialist, request healthcare providers to notify law enforcement, contact
law enforcement yourself, or use current reporting channels, e.g., chain of command.
What to expect: The SARC/SHARP Specialist will immediately assign you a VA/SHARP
Specialist. You will be advised of your right to access to legal assistance that is separate
from prosecution resources. At the victim's discretion/request, the healthcare provider
shall conduct a sexual assault forensic examination (SAFE), which may include the
collection of evidence.
Restricted Reporting: This option allows victims to disclose the sexual assault without
triggering an official investigation AND receive medical treatment, advocacy services, legal
assistance, and counseling.
What to expect: You will be able to receive medical attention, and SAPR
resources. Your commander will be informed that an assault occurred, with
enough details to react to any security issues, but will not be given your identity,
or enough information to infer it.
* You may also contact your chain of command or law enforcement (military or
civilian); however, if you choose to do so, an investigation will occur, and you
will not be able to later choose a restricted report.
Report
Either way you report, you will have access to the military
resources through your SARC and VA Specialist
Care
Investigation
Legal
National Guard
As the members of the National Guard are not active duty, the
procedures following a report of sexual misconduct differ from other branches
of the military.
- Members of the National Guard attend drill one weekend a month and a
two week training period each year.
- There are three types of duty for guard members. These include:
o State Active Duty (SAD)
The Governor can activate National Guard members in
response to a natural or man-made disasters.
Soldiers and Airmen remain under command of Governor
o Title 32 Full-Time National Guard Duty
This duty refers to training or other duty, other than inactive
duty.
This provides Governor with ability to place soldiers on fulltime status under the control of the State, but funded by
Federal dollars.
Used after 9/11 and Hurricane Katrina
o Title 10 Active-Duty
This duty means full-time duty in active military service.
When guard members are deployed.
-
Report
Either way you report, you will have access to the military resources
through your SARC and VA Specialist
Care
Investigation
Legal
If the perpetrator was in Title 10 status, the matter will be refered to the
Military Criminal Investigation Organization
If the perpetrator was in Title 32 status, the matter will be refered to the
appropriate civilan law enforcement entity.
If the matter is sent to MCIO, the matter stays in military jurisdiction and
will be sent to the commander of the accused after the investigation is
complete.
The commander of the accused decides whether to convene a courtmartial.
If he chooses not to and the prosecutor disagrees, a civilian review will
occur
If the perpetrator was in Title 32 status, the matter will remain in civilian
jurisdiction through legal action.
Care
Victim Advocates provide direct support to victims after they report an incident.
They can be relied upon to provide the following services.
- Crisis Intervention
- Information on medical and counseling services
- Referrals to health and wellness providers
- Ongoing non-clinical support
- Policy/Process Guidance
- Victim support through investigations and court proceedings
- Assistance on the DD Form 2910, Victim Preference Statement, and other
Reporting Options for which the victim is eligible
- Help for as long as the victim requires it
Victims Rights
-
Jurisdiction
In several cases, jurisdictional lines can be confusing. Below are the traditional
jurisdiction determinations.
- Active Duty
o Across Services: A joint investigation is completed with each
Services crime investigation agency conducting their own
complimentary investigations tasks. A final report will be created
and given to the appropriate commanding officer.
o Includes civilians: The Military Criminal Investigation Organization will
be involved in any case that involves a military victims or an
accused military perpetrator. The MCIO will conduct a joint
investigation with the civilian police authorities. Each will complete
complementary tasks to prepare a final report to present to the
judicial authority (military or civilian).
- National Guard or Reserve
o As stated above, unless a guard member is in Title 10 (active-duty)
status, the civilian courts will have jurisdiction. Guard Commanders
have within 24 to 48 hours to report an incident to local police
authorities.
Louisiana Contacts
Find the contact information for your SARC by texting your location to 55247 (available 24/7).
SARCs and Military Police are available 24/7 through Phone 1 number.
Judge Advocate Generals are available only during duty hours.
US Air Force
Name
Title
Phone 1
Phone 2
Barksdale AFB
SARC
JAG
Military Police
(318) 456-7272
(318) 456-2562
(318) 456-2551
(318) 456-6836
Name
Title
Phone 1
Phone 2
Fort Polk
SARC
JAG
337-531-1788
Military Police
SARC/VA
SARC
(337) 531-1848
(337) 531-1943
ext. 6783
(337) 531-2677
(803) 724-0262
(502) 472-6857
Name
Title
Phone 1
Phone 2
SARC
JAG
Military Police
(504) 202-2367
(504) 671-2331
(504) 329-1969
(504) 253-4709
Name
Title
Phone 1
Phone 2
MARFORRES (Reserves)
Helpline
Victims Legal Counsel
SARC
(1-877) 432-2215
(703) 784-4514
(843) 228-3599
SARC
(843) 228-3599
US Army
LA Reserve
LA Recruiting Offices
US Coast Guard
US Marines
LA Officer Selection
Offices
LA Recruiting Stations
LA National Guard
Name
Title
Phone 1
Phone 2
LA National Guard
SARC
Special Victims Counsel
(225) 329-8254
(501) 416-1537
(504) 278-8044
(512) 420-7352
Name
Title
Phone 1
Phone 2
SARC
Military Police
Victims Legal Counsel
SARC
(504) 329-3476
(504) 678-3827
(228) 871-2909
(318) 402-2273
(504) 373-0980
US Navy
NOSB Shreveport
(850) 281-6238
Mode
Safe Helpline
Phone
(877) 995-5247
Online
https://www.safehelpline.org
Chatroom for survivors https://www.safehelpline.org/aboutsafe-helproom
Safe HelpRoom
Contact
Veterans Affairs
Name
Title
Phone
Cynthia Marquez
(800) 827-1000
Cynthia.Marquez@va.gov
(800) 827-1000
Joe.Sinceno@va.gov
Joseph Sinceno
Independent Resources
Protect Our
Defenders
Name
Description
Contact
Peer-to-Peer Support
http://www.protectourdefenders.com
SWAN
Name
Description
Contact
Service Womens
Action Network
List of national
resources
http://servicewomen.org/supportservices/
Future Legislation
While great improvements have been made, there are still future policy
changes that could greater benefit all victims of sexual assault in the military,
and in the civilian sphere.
The Big Question: Will victims ever truly trust the system if the decision is in
the hands of the accuseds commander?