Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)

Promoting respect, preserving dignity

169th Fighter Wing Sexual Assault Prevention and Response: Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim Advocates are available to assist victims (survivors) of sexual assault. The 169th Fighter Wing SARC serves as the single point of contact for integrating and coordinating sexual assault victim (survivor) care for its members. The SARC office is also responsible for providing Sexual Assault Prevention training throughout the Wing.

Obtaining Help:
Immediate medical care is essential. Get to a safe place and CALL 911. Once medical care has been established, contact the 169th Fighter Wing SARC at the main office: (803) 647-8085 / mobile: (803) 206-3241, click or call SafeHelpline.org  at (877) 995-5247.

SAPR - Safe Helpline

Sexual Assault Defined

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

Sexual Assault is defined as intentional sexual conduct, characterized by use of force, physical threat or abuse of authority or when the victim does not or cannot consent. 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 or spousal relationship or age of victim. 

Consent shall 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. 

The 169th Fighter Wing SARC office provides sexual assault response capability for all victims on the installation. Anyone who feels they have been a victim of sexual assault may contact the SARC at the main office: (803) 647-8085 / mobile: (803) 206-3241. 

After you contact the SARC office, you will be assigned a trained Victim Advocate. Your Victim Advocate will explain reporting options, and may meet you at the hospital for a medical evaluation, treatment and examination. It is your option to accept or decline victim advocacy.

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 the release of their information. Further, it also empowers the survivor to make an informed decision about participating in the criminal process.

Restricted Reporting is available for:
- All Service members and their Dependents over the age of 18

Unrestricted Reporting is any report of sexual assault made through normal reporting channels (for example: reports to chain of command, security forces, and/or Air Force Office of Investigation). This reporting option triggers an investigation, 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/or 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.