A DoD Instruction implements policy, or prescribes the manner or a specific plan or action for carrying out policy, operating a program or activity, and assigning responsibilities.

Detailed procedures for key areas in the SAPR program are found in the DoD Instruction 6495.02 below, with additional DoD Instructions that inform SAPR program activity.

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Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR)

• DoD Directive 6495.01 - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program

  DoD Directive (DoDD) 6495.01 implements DoD policy and assign responsibilities for the SAPR Program on prevention, response, and oversight to sexual assault.

• DoD Instruction 6495.02, Volume 1 - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures

  Establishes comprehensive procedures for responding to the crime of sexual assault within DoD, ensuring that sexual assault victims are cared for with dignity and respect. Specific procedures implement requirements outlined in the NDAAs, initiatives directed by the Secretary of Defense, formal recommendations from the Response Systems to Adult Sexual Assault Crimes Panel (RSP), and new substantive changes to address areas of need. For an info paper of the updated DoD Instruction, click here.

• DoD Instruction 6495.02, Volume 2 - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program: Education and Training

  Establishes SAPR training requirements for Service members, individuals who supervise Service members, and DoD civilian personnel. The policy was updated in 2021 and aligns training needs with DoD’s Common Military Training (CMT) to clearly define minimum training standards and meet Congressional requirements.

• DoD Instruction 6495.03 - Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program

  Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and prescribes procedures for the implementation, management, and oversight of the D-SAACP in accordance with the certification requirements in section 584 of Public Law 112-81 (Reference (a)), DoD Directive (DoDD) 6495.01(Reference (b)), DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6495.02 (Reference (c)), and in accordance with the authority in DoDD 5124.02 (Reference (d)).

Integrated Prevention

• DoD Instruction 6400.09 - DoD Policy on Integrated Primary Prevention of Self-Directed Harm and Prohibited Abuse or Harm

  Implements an integrated violence prevention policy that is the first of its kind. Informed by best-practices in the field. This policy creates a unity of effort across prevention programs and policies; establishes a common, research-based framework for violence prevention; and focuses prevention efforts on those activities that have the greatest potential to reduce multiple forms of violence that affect the military community.

Other Sexual Assault-Related Policies

• DoD Instruction 5505.18 - Investigation of Adult Sexual Assault in the Department of Defense

  Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for the investigation of adult sexual assault within the DoD. It also establishes the processes and procedures for the use, maintenance, and protection of certain information from a Restricted Report of adult sexual assault obtained by the military criminal investigative organizations (MCIOs) after the victim has elected to provide such information, but without affecting the restricted nature of the report.

• DoD Instruction 5505.19 - Investigations SVIP Policy - IG DoDI: Establishment of Special Victim Investigation and Prosecution (SVIP) Capability with the Military Criminal Investigative Organizations (MCIOs)

  Establishes policy, assigns responsibilities, and provides procedures for the MCIOs to implement a special victim capability. establish a special victim capability comprised of specially trained MCIO investigators, judge advocates, paralegals, and victim witness assistance personnel to support victims of covered special victim offenses (referred to as the SVIP capability).

• DoD Instruction 6310.09 – Health Care Management for Patients Associated with a Sexual Assault

  Establishes procedures to ensure comprehensive standards for providing health care in the Military Health System for patients who, during the course of health care, present with a disclosure of sexual assault, or disclose they have committed or are suspected to have committed a sexual assault.

• DoD Instruction 6400.06 - Domestic Abuse Involving DoD Military and Certain Affiliated Personnel

  Procedures for establishing, implementing, and updating domestic abuse policies in the military.

• DoD Instruction 6400.07 - Standards for Victim Assistance Services in the Military Community

  Issued on Nov. 26, 2013, this DoD Instruction provides overarching Department policy, responsibilities and standards for victim assistance services throughout the military.

• Prosecutions SVIP Policy: OLP DTM:  Directive-type Memorandum (DTM) 14-003, DoD Implementation of Special Victim Capability (SVC) Prosecution and Legal Support

  Establishes policy for implementation of a Special Victim Capability (SVC) across the DoD by providing a distinct, recognizable group of appropriately skilled personnel to prosecute covered offenses; also requires the designation of specially trained prosecutors, paralegals, administrative support personnel, and victim witness assistance personnel.

A DoD Directive is a broad policy document containing what is required by legislation, the President, or the Secretary of Defense to initiate, govern, or regulate actions or conduct by the DoD Components within their specific areas of responsibilities. DoD Directives establish or describe policy, programs, and organizations; define missions; provide authority; and assign responsibilities.

• DoD Directive 6495.01 - Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program (141 KB)

  Overarching Department policy on sexual assault prevention and response.

SAPR Forms

• DD Form 2910 – Victim Reporting Preference Statement

• DD Form 2910-1 – Replacement of Lost DD Form 2910, Victim Reporting Preference Statement

• DD Form 2910-2 – Retaliation Reporting Statement for Unrestricted Report Sexual Assault Cases

• DD Form 2950 – DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) Application Packet for New Applicants (Right Click, Save Link/Target As)

• DD Form 2950-1 – DoD Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) Renewal Application Packet (Right Click, Save Link/Target As)

• DD Form 2965 – Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID) Data Form

Other Forms

• DD Form 2701, Initial Information for Victims and Witnesses of Crime

• DD Form 2702, Court-Martial Information for Victims and Witnesses of Crime

• Military Protective Order (MPO) DD Form 2873

DoD Memorandums & Guidance refer to documents signed and issued by the Secretary of Defense, Deputy Secretary of Defense, or Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD) Principal Staff Assistants (PSAs) that, because of time constraints, have not yet been published in the DoD Directives System. Memorandums & Guidance are procedural in nature and are typically converted into a DoD Directive or DoD Instruction, unless the subject is classified with limited distribution or is material of limited or temporary relevance.

• Requirement to Implement Ability for DoD Civilian Employees Who Have Experienced Sexual Assault to Make Requests for Assistance Through the Federal Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Program

This memorandum reiterates the existing requirement for DoD components to implement Component-specific policy that allows DoD civilian employees who have experienced sexual assault to obtain advocacy, support, and referrals available through workplace violence prevention and response programs. Department of Defense Instruction (DoDI) 1438.06, "DoD Workplace Violence Prevention and Response Policy," identifies the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Civilian Personnel Policy, under the authority, direction, and control of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Manpower and Reserve Affairs, as the DoD lead for policy development and ensuring implementation of workplace violence prevention and response programs, including education and training, for civilian employees.

• Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database Updates Involving the Replacement of Lost Forms, Retaliation Reporting, and Electronic File Locker (498 MB)

This memorandum addresses several initiatives designed to improve victim support: replacement of lost forms, retaliation reporting, and an electronic File Locker.

• Guidance on Command Climate Assessments (298 KB)

This memorandum directs measures to strengthen sexual assault prevention programs in support of command climate requirements.

• Clarifying Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military/Naval Records Considering Requests by Veterans for Modification of their Discharge Due to Mental Health Conditions, Sexual Assault, or Sexual Harassment (408 KB)

Clarifying guidance is provided regarding mental health conditions, sexual assault, and sexual harassment to ensure veterans are aware of the opportunity to have their discharges and military records reviewed. This guidance ensures fair and consistent standards of review for veterans with mental health conditions, or who experienced sexual assault or sexual harassment regardless of when they served or in which Military Department they served.

• Guidance to Military Discharge Review Boards and Boards for Correction of Military / Naval Records Regarding Equity, Injustice, or Clemency Determinations (291 KB)

Provides additional guidance to inform Service Discharge Review Boards (DRBs) and Boards for Correction of Military / Naval Records (BCM/NRs) decisions on applications based on criminal convictions.

• Certification Standards for Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program Managers (774 KB)

Guidance for the certification for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Managers (PM) establishes minimum standards for the qualifications necessary to be selected, trained, and certified for assignment as a SAPR PM.

• Revisions to the SAPR Program’s Expedited Transfer Policy

Provides direction to the Services to develop plans and procedures implementing expedited transfer for those who make a Restricted Report of sexual assault.

• Revisions to the Monthly Case Management Group Meetings for Adult Sexual Assault Cases

This memorandum provides updates and clarifications to current CMG policy in DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6495.02, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures.

• Exception to Policy Allowing the Military Services the Option to Provide Expedited Transfers to Adult Sexual Assault Victims who FIle Restricted Reports

This memorandum directs the Services and the National Guard Bureau to  develop a plan implement Expedited Transfers for sexual assault victims without having to make their report Unrestricted.

• Clarification on DoD Policy on Enlistment or Commissioning of Individuals with Felony Convictions for Sexual Assault (489 KB)

This guidance is provided to ensure compliance with the Department of Defense’s policy regarding the enlistment or commissioning of individuals with felony convictions for sexual assault. It is the Department’s policy that the enlistment or commissioning of these individuals is prohibited under any circumstances and that no waivers are authorized.

• Fifty-Year Retention of Forms Related to Reports of Sexual Assault

Directs the implementation of interim policy within the Services or National Guard Bureau to fulfill the 50-year retention requirement and ensure that no existing DD Forms 2910 or 2911 are destroyed.

• Under Secretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness Memorandum for Certification Standards for DoD SAPR Program Managers (771 KB)

• The Department, working with the Military Departments and the National Guard Bureau, developed standards for the selection, training and certification of SAPR Program Managers, and divided SAPR Program Managers into one of two categories: those who work directly with sexual assault victims and those that do not.

• Under Secretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness Memorandum for the Fifty-Year Retention of Forms Related to Reports of Sexual Assault (330 KB)

  This memorandum mandates the retention of certain forms related to reports of sexual assault for 50 years, regardless of the type of report or whether such retention was requested by the victim. Specifically, the law requires that the DD Form 2910, "Victim Reporting Preference Statement," and DD Form 2911, "DoD Sexual Assault Forensic Examination Report," be retained for 50 years in both Restricted and Unrestricted Report cases.

• Regulations on Inclusion and Command Review of Information on Sex-Related Offenses in Personnel Service Records (292 KB)

Describes two requirements for accountability for sex-related offenses: the inclusion of information on sex-related offenses in the personnel service records of members of the Armed Forces and the mandatory review of the personnel record notation by the commanding officer of each Service member's sex-related offenses. The Services must develop and issue regulations to implement this requirement.

• Under Secretary of Defense Personnel and Readiness Memorandum for Regulations on Inclusion and Command Review of Information on Sex-Related Offenses in Personnel Service Records (290 KB)

  This memorandum provides for two new requirements for accountability of sex-related offenses: the inclusion of information on sex-related offenses in the personnel service records of members of the Armed Forces and the mandatory review of the personnel record notation by the commanding officer of each Service member's sex-related offenses. The Services must develop and issue regulations to implement this requirement..

• Director of National Intelligence Guidance on Security Clearances ("Question 21") (138 KB)

  This guidance further supports military victims of sexual assault who hold or wish to hold a government security clearance, but may be reluctant to seek mental health counseling for fear they may have to disclose the counseling on their application. This guidance allows military victims of sexual assault to answer "No" to Question 21 on the Standard Form 86, "Questionnaire for National Security Positions," which asks applicants if they have in the last seven years consulted a health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition, or were similarly hospitalized.

• Secretary of Defense Guidance for Mental Counseling and Security Clearances (1.4 MB)

  This guidance provides instruction for the completion of Question 21 on the Standard Form 86 Questionnaire for National Security Positions. Question 21 asks whether the applicant has consulted with a health care professional regarding an emotional or metal health condition or was hospitalized for such a condition within seven years prior to completing the SF 86. Victims of sexual assault who have consulted with a health care professional regarding an emotional or mental health condition during this period strictly in relation to the sexual assault are instructed to answer "No" to Question 21.

• Legal Assistance for Victims of Crimes

Describes the types of legal assistance victims of sexual assault can receive, including the Victim Witness Assistance Program, Victim/Witness Advocate or Liaison, reporting options, and more.

• Enlistment or Commissioning of Individuals with Felony Convictions for Sexual Assault

This memorandum provides clarification of terms that are used to determine whether an individual has been convicted of felonious sexual assault. DoD policy states that the enlistment or commissioning of these individuals is prohibited under any circumstances and that no waivers are authorized.