topside Volume 79 , Issue 1
F . Discipline and Conduct , COMDTINST M1600.2 ( series )
1 . Per REF ( A ), the Commandant ’ s SAPRR vision is a Coast Guard where all members of our mission ready total workforce - Active Duty , Reserve , Civilian and Auxiliary live and work in a climate of trust , respect , and dignity ; where all members are leaders who take prompt action to correct any behavior counter to this climate ; and who do not stand by and allow it to occur . Your senior leadership team urges all members to take a stand against behaviors on the “ Continuum of Harm ” that includes both sexual harassment and sexual assault and declare “ Not on our Watch .”
2 . To demonstrate the ongoing commitment to achieving the Commandant ’ s vision , the USCG SAPRR program and the USCG-wide SAPRR Committee provide the following update on policy , program , and resource changes made since we published update one in January 2020 : a . We have added twelve Victim Advocates Program Specialist ( VAPS ) positions to our workforce . The VAPS will work with the regional Sexual Assault Response Coordinators ( SARCs ) to provide direct support to field units and victims of sexual assault . The positions will be filled in early FY21 . b . At the end of July we released REF ( B ), “ Confiding in Another Person ." This significant policy change allows sexual assault victims to confide in a friend or family member without voiding their choice of filing a Restricted Report . The SAPRR program , FORCECOM , CG Investigative Service , Public Affairs staffs , and others are working to update training curricula , investigation data capture forms , surveys , webpages , and other documents , to ensure a comprehensive policy-change roll-out . “ Frequently Asked Questions ” about the “ Confiding in Another Person ” policy is posted on the COMDT ( CG-11 ) SAPRR and DCMS SAPRR Portal pages , noted in paragraphs 2 . d . and 4 below . You may also contact your servicing SARC or VA regarding policy questions . By adopting “ Confiding in Another Person ,” we can support persons victimized by sexual assault and eliminate barriers to reporting . c . As stated in REF ( C ), the prosecution of sexual assault – a felony offense – takes priority over any discipline for minor collateral misconduct . The USCG SAPRR Committee measured the collateral misconduct prosecution rate and affirmed that only two percent of all collateral misconduct charges are acted upon . The bottom line is that members should not let collateral misconduct prevent the timely and proper reporting of a sexual assault . Please review REF ( B ) and perhaps confide in a friend , or speak with a Chaplain if you are unsure of reporting a sexual assault . The feedback and advice they provide may help alleviate worry in the decision to file a Restricted or Unrestricted Report . If you have ever been victimized and desire sexual assault assistance of any kind , you are encouraged to reach out to your unit VA , your SARC , or
CGSUPRT at :
https :// cg . portal . uscg . mil / units / hswlsc / worklife _ division / Shared % 20Documents / CGS UPRT % 20Resources / Promotional % 20Mat erials / CG % 20SUPRT % 20Overview % 20G eneral . pdf . Our SARCs , VAs , and Health , Safety and Work-Life personnel are ready to support you , virtually , or in person , even during these challenging COVID-19 times . Additionally , the DOD Safe Helpline at https :// www . safehelpline . org / nearme or the Safe Help Line App for IOS and Android is available for 24 / 7 anonymous , confidential support . d . The USCG ' s commitment to victim recovery is as resolute as the USCG ' s commitment to preventing Sexual Assault and eliminating it from our Service . The USCG SAPRR program is updating REF ( D ) to include Recovery-focused policies and a Recovery Care Plan . The program recently contracted for Certified Clinical Trauma Professional training for all SARCs to develop a comprehensive victim recovery system and certify SARCs to train VAs and unit leaders , further expanding the circle of recovery-oriented personnel . These are crucial steps toward our strategic goal of ensuring each victim the best probability of becoming a survivor and achieving favorable longterm physical , mental and spiritual health outcomes . More information about this training initiative will be posted on the SAPRR program website