Sexual Assault Prevention & Response (SARP)

What is Sexual Assault? 

Sexual Assault is a crime. 

Sexual assault is defined as intentional sexual contact, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. 

“Consent” should not be deemed or construed to mean the failure by the victim to offer physical resistance.  Consent is not given when a person uses force, threat of force, coercion or when the victim is asleep, incapacitated, or unconscious. 

Sexual assault includes:

• Rape
• Nonconsensual Sodomy (oral or anal sex)
• Indecent Assault (unwanted, inappropriate sexual contact or fondling)
• Or attempts to commit these acts

Sexual assault can occur without regard to gender, spousal relationship, or age of victim.

Sexual assault is never the victim’s fault.  No one deserves to be sexually assaulted!

For specific articles of sexual assault offenses under the UCMJ, see the Manual for Courts-Martial.