Mission and Goals

The National Guard Response Program is a Department of Defense initiative to end sexual assault in the military and encourage service men and women to defend one another against unwanted sexual conduct. The services provided by the Guam National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program are for National Guardsmen. A service member’s first step is to contact their State/Territory Joint Force Headquarters Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (JFHQ SARC) in Guam or the 24-hour hotline at 685-8512. This service facilitates the filing of restricted or unrestricted reports about sexual abuse/assault of military members. This service supports military member survivors of sexual assault as they receive medical treatment, counseling and other support services. The National Guard Bureau is a full-partner in the DoD-wide unity of effort and purpose on sexual assault prevention and response across the five lines of effort of prevention, investigation, accountability, advocacy/victim assistance,and assessment.

The goal of this organization reflects the DoD mission regarding sexual assault: Prevent sexual assault through required annual SAPR training coordinated by the JFHQ SARC and trained Victim Advocates (VAs). If a sexual assault occurs in Guam, it is our obligation to fuly assist the victim in their needs. When one of our National Guardsmen is harmed it affects everyone. Sexual assault degrades our readiness and disrupts unit cohesion. Unit integrity and mission focus are compromised and readiness destroyed. 

Restricted and Unrestricted Reports

Following a sexual assault, the military member may choose to make a restricted or unrestricted report. Unrestricted reports require the command to be notified and an investigation to occur which may involve local law enforcement and disclosure of the sexual assault survivors name in reporting. Restricted reporting allows a Military Member who is a sexual assault victim, on a confidential basis, to disclose the details of his/her assault to specifically identified individuals and receive medical treatment and counseling, without triggering the official investigative process. Military Members who are sexually assaulted and desire restricted reporting under this policy should report the assault to the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC), Victim Advocate (VA), Chaplain, or Healthcare Personnel.

Those who choose restricted reporting may prefer the confidentiality of this method. However, no investigation into the assault will occur and nothing will happen to the accused, leaving the alleged subject in a position to likely sexually assault others. Also, Military Protective Orders are not available to the victim, nor will action be taken to separate the victim from the accused. Also, protection offered under restricted reporting is void in the event the incident is discussed with anyone else.

If a victim consents in writing to allow information to be disclosed to commander/law enforcement, the confidential terms of the Restricted Report may be circumvented. You may always change your reporting to Unrestricted if you choose – albeit you cannot go back to Restricted Reporting after you select Unrestricted Reporting. Other circumstances of exceptions to Restricted Reporting include:

• Whenever there is a serious or imminent threat, Command and Law Enforcement will be notified
 Disability Boards will receive certain information to determine fitness for duty or retirement disability

• SARC, VA and Healthcare Personnel can share information among each other as needed to facilitate supervision/coordination of victim services and treatment

• Military and civilian courts or judges may order release of information (e.g., cases of mandatory reporting for child abuse or domestic violence).

For more information or to address questions about who is eligible for this program’s services, or how to contact specifically identified individuals fto file a restricted report please visit https://www.jointservicessupport.org/SAPR/faq.aspx for list of Frequently Asked Questions and direct links to contact the National Guard Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office.

Help is always available through the National Guard Bureau Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Office. Call 1-866-601-0577 for confidential support.

Counseling, Chaplaincy/Spiritual Support, Medical Treatment, Legal Services, Resource Referral, Counseling Services, Information & Referral, Legal Advocacy & Resources, Sexual Assault Services, Support Services.