The Navy Sexual Assault Response Coordinator, commonly known as the SARC, is a professional position dedicated to supporting service members and their families who have experienced sexual assault. The SARC serves as the central point of contact for the Navy’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program, providing a comprehensive, victim-focused system of support and care. This role is a key part of the military’s effort to address sexual assault and maintain mission readiness by ensuring personnel receive the resources they need. Understanding the SARC’s function provides clarity on the support structure available to those affected by this crime.
The Core Mission of the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator
The SARC operates as the designated program manager for all sexual assault victim support services within their assigned installation or command. Their purpose involves the local implementation and execution of the entire Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program, coordinating a network of military and civilian resources to provide a victim-sensitive system of care.
The SARC acts as a confidential resource manager and liaison, ensuring victims receive immediate and continuous support from the moment an assault is disclosed. They oversee a 24/7 response capability to guarantee victims can access assistance at any time. SARCs work directly with command leadership to maintain the program’s integrity and effectiveness and co-chair the Sexual Assault Case Management Group, which reviews unrestricted reports to ensure the victim’s needs are met.
Direct Support Services Provided by SARCs
The SARC ensures the availability of immediate support services to victims, coordinating professional responses tailored to the individual’s situation, focusing on their needs, confidentiality preferences, and personal safety.
Crisis Intervention and Immediate Support
The process begins with providing immediate emotional support and crisis intervention. The SARC or a designated Victim Advocate responds promptly to assess the victim’s immediate safety and emotional needs. They offer empathy, a non-judgmental space, and initial stabilization to help the victim process the trauma and make informed decisions about reporting options.
Coordination of Medical and Forensic Care
A SARC facilitates a victim’s access to medical treatment and the option for a Sexual Assault Forensic Examination (SAFE). They arrange transportation and coordinate with military treatment facilities or civilian hospitals for appropriate care, including injury treatment and testing. The SARC ensures a Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner (SANE) or Forensic Examiner is available for evidence collection if the victim chooses. The SARC or Victim Advocate remains with the victim throughout the medical and forensic process.
Advocacy and Safety Planning
SARCs advocate for the victim’s interests across all intervening agencies, including law enforcement and the command structure. A primary function involves creating a comprehensive safety plan tailored to the victim’s unique circumstances. Safety measures may include coordinating an expedited transfer to a different duty station or assisting with securing a Military Protective Order (MPO) to separate the victim from the alleged offender.
Referral to Legal and Mental Health Services
The SARC connects victims with specialized resources, including long-term counseling and legal representation. They provide referrals to military and civilian mental health providers, such as Fleet and Family Support Centers. For legal support, they facilitate access to a Victim’s Legal Counsel (VLC) or Special Victims’ Counsel (SVC), who provide confidential legal advice and representation to help victims navigate the military justice process.
Understanding Restricted and Unrestricted Reporting Options
The SARC explains the two primary reporting options available to eligible service members and adult dependents, which have vastly different implications for confidentiality and the subsequent investigative process. The victim maintains control over which path to pursue, and the SARC provides the necessary information for that choice.
Restricted Reporting
Restricted Reporting allows a victim to confidentially disclose the sexual assault and receive support services without triggering an official investigation or notifying the chain of command. This option is available only when disclosure is made to a SARC, a SAPR Victim Advocate, a healthcare provider, or a chaplain. Confidentiality enables the victim to access medical treatment, counseling, and legal advice without fear of being identified to law enforcement.
Forensic evidence may be collected during a SAFE exam and stored for up to 12 months, preserving the option to convert the report later. No criminal investigation is initiated, and the victim’s name is not disclosed to the command. This option is often chosen by victims who need time to heal and decide whether they want to pursue an investigation.
Unrestricted Reporting
Unrestricted Reporting is the official process that initiates an immediate criminal investigation by the Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) and notifies the victim’s chain of command. This option is pursued when the victim desires an investigation and accountability for the alleged offender. The victim receives the same comprehensive support services, including medical, advocacy, and legal services.
Notification to the command allows leadership to implement safety measures, such as issuing a Military Protective Order or expediting a transfer. Once an Unrestricted Report is made, the decision cannot be reversed to Restricted Reporting because notifications to law enforcement and the command have already occurred. The SARC ensures the victim fully understands these implications before selecting this option.
SARC Involvement in Prevention and Education
SARCs manage the proactive aspects of the SAPR program to foster a culture of prevention across the Navy. They oversee the implementation of mandatory annual training requirements for all service members and DoD civilian personnel. This training raises awareness, reinforces the definition of sexual assault, and educates personnel on their roles in preventing the crime and intervening safely.
The SARC coordinates awareness campaigns, such as those conducted during Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. They also develop and deliver specialized briefings to command leadership and key personnel to ensure a comprehensive understanding of SAPR program requirements. SARCs are involved in conducting command climate assessments, which help identify environmental risk factors and inform the development of targeted prevention strategies.
Becoming a Certified Navy SARC
The Navy SARC role requires specific professional qualifications and a certification process. Candidates, who are typically civilian employees or military personnel, must hold at least a bachelor’s degree, often in a social or behavioral science field. This is supplemented by a minimum of three years of professional experience working in victim advocacy or with survivors of sexual assault.
All SARCs must obtain and maintain certification through the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP). This program standardizes the professional competency of the response workforce. Certification requires a review of experience, successful completion of formal training, and a favorable background check to confirm suitability. To maintain certification, SARCs must complete 32 hours of DoD-approved continuing education every two years.
Differentiating the SARC from SAPR Victim Advocates
Both the SARC and the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate (VA) support victims, but their roles are distinct. The SARC is the full-time program manager and coordinator, responsible for managing the entire SAPR program, overseeing the response capability, and ensuring policy compliance at the installation level. SARCs are senior personnel who co-chair the Case Management Group and communicate directly with the installation commander.
The SAPR Victim Advocate provides direct, one-on-one support and advocacy to the victim. VAs are often military personnel or DoD civilians who perform this duty as a collateral assignment. VAs report directly to the SARC, not to their own chain of command, ensuring they can focus entirely on providing continuous, confidential support and accompaniment to the victim during medical, investigative, and legal procedures.