Help for Military Survivors

FORT BENNING SHARP Hotline: 706.566.7393
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FORT BENNING Family Advocacy Program (FAP) Hotline: 762.408.2234

As a military member or dependent, you may have military-specific questions or want to know about the Department of Defense's policies.  The Sexual Assault Support Center DOES work with military victims and victims of active duty perpetrators.

The Directive includes a DoD Victims' Bill of Rights which resembles the Federal Crime Victims' Bill of Rights. DoD law enforcement and legal personnel directly engaged in the detection, investigation or prosecution of crimes are responsible for ensuring that victims of military-related crime are accorded the following rights:

• The right to be treated with fairness and respect for your dignity and privacy;
• The right to be reasonably protected from the accused offender;
• The right to reasonable, accurate, and timely notice of public preliminary hearings, pretrial confinement hearings, court proceedings, and clemency and parole hearings related to the offense;
• The right to be present at all public proceedings related to the offense unless the hearing officer or military judge determines that your testimony would be materially altered if you as the victim heard other testimony;
• The right to reasonably confer with the prosecutor/Trial Counsel in the case;
• The right to receive available restitution;
• The right to be reasonably heard at: 1) a public hearing concerning the continuation of any pretrial confinement of the accused; 2) a sentencing hearing related to the offense; 3) a public Military Department Clemency and Parole Board hearing related to the offense;
• The right to submit a written statement for the consideration of the Convening Authority prior to taking action on findings and sentence;
• The right to proceedings free from unreasonable delay;
• The right to be provided information, if applicable, about the conviction, sentencing, imprisonment, Convening Authority's action, appellate review, and release of the offender.

Additionally, court-martial convening authorities, as well as clemency and parole boards, are directed to consider making restitution to the victim a condition of pretrial agreements, sentence reduction, clemency and parole. They may consider victim statements on the impact of crime when reviewing a case.


For further information on crime issues, see the DoD Victim and Witness Assistance Council web page at: http://vwac.defense.gov/

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What is Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting

​Restricted Reporting:
​Sexual assault victims who want to confidentially disclose a sexual assault without triggering an official investigation can contact a SARC/SHARP Specialist, VA/SHARP Specialist, or a healthcare provider. By filing a restricted report with a SARC/SHARP Specialist, VA/SHARP Specialist, or a healthcare provider, a victim can disclose the sexual assault without triggering an official investigation and receive medical treatment, advocacy services, legal assistance, and counseling.

Victim conversations with a SARC/SHARP Specialist or VA/SHARP Specialist about the sexual assault are confidential communications, not to be disclosed to others, including law enforcement or the chain of command, except in a few very rare circumstances.

​Discussing a sexual assault with a chaplain is not the same as filing a restricted report, but communications with a chaplain are privileged under Military Rule of Evidence 503 and AR 165-1.

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Unrestricted Reporting:
This option is for victims of sexual assault who desire medical treatment, counseling, legal assistance, SARC/SHARP Specialist and VA/SHARP Specialist assistance, and an official investigation of the crime. When selecting unrestricted reporting, you may report the incident to the 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. 

​Upon notification of a reported sexual assault, the SARC/SHARP Specialist will immediately assign a VA/SHARP Specialist. You will also 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. Details regarding the incident will be limited to only those personnel who have a legitimate need to know.

For more information and additional details regarding Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting, please visit SHARP at www.sexualassault.army.mil/index.aspx.

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If You Believe You Were the Victim of Reprisal, Retaliation, or Ostracism
Federal law prohibits military members, civilian employees, and contractors from reprising, retaliating, or ostracizing individuals who report a crime or provide information relating to a criminal investigation. Prohibited actions may include taking, or threatening to take an unfavorable personnel action; withholding, or threatening to withhold a favorable personnel action; or socially ostracizing you for making a protected communication. If you believe someone has reprised, retaliated, or ostracized you for reporting a sexual assault or participating in a criminal investigation, contact your Sexual Assault Response Coordinator or the DoD IG Hotline.

In providing services and assistance to victims, the DoD programs emphasize an interdisciplinary approach involving the following:

• Law enforcement personnel
• Criminal investigators
• Chaplains
• Family advocacy personnel
• Emergency room personnel
• Family service center personnel
• Equal opportunity personnel
• Judge advocates
• Unit commanding officers
• Corrections personnel

Important DoD Information Forms for VictimsVictim and witness assistance programs throughout DoD use standard forms to advise victims and witnesses of their rights during all stages of a case. Each Military Service is also required to provide DoD an annual report indicating the numbers of victims and witnesses who have received assistance and services. 

The following list provides the DoD form's number, the title of the form, purpose, and when to they are used:

DD 2701 
Initial Contact 
Provides notice to victims and witnesses on rights and information on the military justice system.

DD Forms 2702 & 2703 
Prosecution 
Provide notice to victims and witnesses on rights during court martial proceedings and information about court-martial process.

DD Forms 2704 & 2705 
Confinement 
Provide information to victim on the offender's sentence, confinement status, clemency and parole hearings and release from confinement.

DD Form 2706 
Annual Report 
Provides statistical information on assistance rendered to victims and witnesses.

For more info: U.S. Army SHARP & Ft. Benning Family Advocacy Program (FAP)