ALCOAST 003/20 - JAN 2020 SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY (SAPRR) PROGRAM UPDATE

R 080802 JAN 20
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC//DCMS//
TO ALCOAST
UNCLAS //N01754//
ALCOAST 003/20
COMDTNOTE 1754
SUBJ:  SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION, RESPONSE AND RECOVERY (SAPRR) PROGRAM UPDATE
A. Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program, COMDTINST M1754.10 (series)
1. We are actively working to implement the Commandant’s vision of a Coast Guard
where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. The following paragraphs provide
the Service an update on those efforts.
2. SAPRR Committee: In March 2019, the Vice Commandant chartered a DCMS-led SAPRR
Committee to ensure consistent leadership attention to eliminate any trace of a
culture that is tolerant of sexual harassment or assault in the Coast Guard and
to support the established SAPRR Program (CG-111). The committee, comprised of Flag
officers and SES members, has established lines of effort through three subcommittees:
Leadership, Accountability and Transparency, and Data. The committee is developing
an action plan to engage leaders throughout the Coast Guard in advancing our
SAPRR goals. The SAPRR Committee wants feedback and ideas on how the Coast Guard
can improve SAPRR programs and influence our culture to rid the Service of sexual
assault and harassment. The Committee will be issuing a CG_Ideas@Work challenge in
early January to seek input from the total workforce.
3. CATCH: A new initiative, the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program has been
adopted by all of the Military Services. The CATCH Program offers individuals making
a Restricted Report of sexual assault an opportunity to anonymously disclose suspect
information to help identify serial offenders. CATCH allows sexual assault victims
(Service members and adult dependents) to discover if the suspect in their Restricted
Report was reported to have previously committed a similar offense (a "match" in the
CATCH website). That knowledge may influence an individual’s decision whether to
convert their Restricted Report to Unrestricted and initiate an investigation of the
serial offender suspect. Access to the CATCH website is heavily restricted to maintain
privacy. For additional information and/or to learn more about CATCH, please contact
your servicing SARC (contact list available at: www.dcms.uscg.mil/saprr) and/or access
the following website: www.sapr.mil/catch.
4. Restricted Reporting Options: The committee is exploring policy adjustments that
would permit victims of Sexual Assault to confide in close friends or family without
voiding their restricted reporting status. Such a disclosure under current policy, as stated
in REF (A), renders the report unrestricted. Any changes to the restricted reporting policy
will include revisions to training and education materials to ensure any policy changes
are clearly communicated to the workforce.
5. Collateral Misconduct: The prosecution of sexual assault – a felony offense – takes
priority over any discipline for minor collateral misconduct. However, the fear of
being punished for collateral misconduct continues to cause hesitation or prevent
some from reporting sexual assault. Under current policy, commanders have discretion on
dealing with collateral misconduct, and recent data indicates that commanders rarely
take adverse action for collateral misconduct – only in about 2 percent of the cases.
Nevertheless the perception remains. The SAPRR Subcommittee is actively developing
policy options to reduce this perception, lessen the difficulties and remove barriers
to reporting sexual assaults.
6. Coast Guard Bystander Intervention Training (CG BIT): Bystander intervention training
has proven to be an effective tool in stopping sexual harassment and assault in the
military, as well as in civilian sectors. Last year during Sexual Assault Awareness and
Prevention Month (SAAPM), SARCs provided over 165 CG BIT unit-requested sessions Coast
Guard-wide and the feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Using data analytics from CGIS
investigations, surveys and other sources supplied by the committee, starting immediately
field commanders will have an opportunity to prioritize where CG BIT is provided. Units
may still request a CG BIT session by contacting their local SARC.
7. SARCs: The Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) remains one of the best
resources available to field commanders and individual members in preventing, responding
to, or recovering from sexual assault. SARCs provide response and case management
services for victims, assign VAs, and assist commands with advice and consultation.
SARCs facilitate the Victim Advocate “C” School, and manage the Service’s 900
credentialed Victim Advocates. They also help lead Crisis Intervention Teams (CIT) that
respond immediately to sexual assault incidents with all stakeholders involved from the
outset. As experts in prevention and response, SARCs can give your unit the training it
needs to maintain a safe and healthy climate. Keep SARCs in your toolbox as you grow in
leadership responsibility and experiences in the Coast Guard.
8. Together we must ensure that everyone in our Coast Guard is mindful of and takes personal
ownership of our Core Value of Respect. Respect does not tolerate sexual assault. Respect
does not tolerate sexual harassment. Respect does not tolerate the behaviors that lead up
to sexual assault and harassment. I will continue to keep you updated on new initiatives
designed to maintain focus on this critical issue. Our Core Values must not ring hollow;
together, we can and must say, “Not in our Coast Guard.” We look forward to fresh ideas
to make that a reality.
9. More information on the Coast Guard’s SAPRR program and resources can be found at:
https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for-Human-Resources-
CG-1/Health-Safety-and-Work-Life-CG-11/Office-of-Work-Life-CG-111/Sexual-Assault-
Prevention-and-Response-Program/.
10. VADM M. McAllister, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, sends.
11. Internet release is authorized.