Base run concludes SAAPM

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response

Contact us

Help is just a phone call away: If you have been
sexually assaulted, please call the NFARS 24/7
SAPR Helpline: 716-989-9443 24/7
Contact: 716-236-2576, DSN:238-2576
Office hours: Monday-Friday, 7:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Safe Helpline

Safe Helpline

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault.

DoD Safe helpline: 877-995-5247
DoD Safe Helpline at www.safehelpline.org
Suicide Crisis Hotline: 988

SPECIAL VICTIMS' COUNSEL

Special Victim's Counsel (SVC) serves as a sexual assault victim's attorney at Air Force expense. They are active-duty judge advocates whose sole role is representing victims in a confidential, attorney-client relationship throughout the investigation and prosecution processes. Please click the images below for more information on the program.

SEXUAL ASSAULT CONVICTIONS

Niagara Sexual assault prevention and response

Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim Advocates are available at major DoD installations to assist victims (survivors) of sexual assault. The Niagara Falls Air Reserve Station SARC serves as the single point of contact for integrating and coordinating sexual assault victim (survivor) care 24/7, 365 days a year. The SARC Office is also responsible for providing Sexual Assault Prevention training throughout the installation.

Definitions

Sexual Assault is criminal conduct that falls well short of the standards America expects of its men and women in uniform and violates our Air Force Core Values.

Sexual Assault is defined as intentional sexual contact characterized by using force, threats, intimidation, or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. The term includes a broad category of sexual offenses consisting of the following specific UCMJ offenses: rape, sexual assault, aggravated sexual contact, abusive sexual contact, forcible sodomy (forced oral or anal sex), or attempts to commit these offenses..

Consent is words or overt acts indicating a freely given agreement to the sexual conduct at issue by a competent person. An expression of lack of consent through words or behavior means there is no consent. Lack of verbal or physical resistance or submission resulting from the accused's use of force, the threat of force, or placing another person in fear does not constitute consent. A current or previous dating relationship or the manner of dress of the person involved with the accused in the sexual conduct at issue shall not constitute consent. There is no consent where the person is sleeping or incapacitated, such as due to age, alcohol or drugs, or mental incapacity.

SEXUAL ASSAULT REPORTING OPTIONS

The Air Force has instituted avenues for reporting sexual assault in the form of Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting.

Restricted Reporting allows sexual assault victims to confidentially disclose the assault to specified individuals (i.e., SARC, SAPR VA, Chaplains, or healthcare personnel) and receive medical treatment, including emergency care, counseling, and assignment of a SARC and SAPR VA, without triggering an investigation. It is intended to give the victim (survivor) time and control over releasing their information. Further, it empowers the survivor to make an informed decision about participating in the criminal process.

Restricted Reporting is available for:

Active duty, Air Force Civilians, Reservists, and their dependents over the age of 18

Unrestricted Reporting is any report of sexual assault made through normal reporting channels (for example, messages to a chain of command, security forces, and Air Force Office of Investigation). This reporting option triggers an investigation and command notification and allows a person who has been sexually assaulted to access medical treatment and counseling.

Unrestricted Reporting is available for:

  • All Service Members and their Dependents over the age of 18
  • DoD Civilians and their Dependents over the age of 18 (MTF access and serving in an OS location)
  • Contractors (if supporting in a contingency location outside the continental United States)

Independent Reporting is an assault reported by someone other than the victim.

  • Information about a sexual assault is disclosed to command from an independent or third-party source.
  • An official investigation may be initiated based on an independent report.