R 252259Z APR 12

ALCOAST 191/12
COMDTNOTE 5780
SUBJ: ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH AND RELEASE OF THE COAST
GUARD SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE (SAPR) POLICY MANUAL
COMDTINST M1754.10D
1. THE PRESIDENT HAS PROCLAIMED APRIL AS SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND
PREVENTION MONTH.  THE GOAL IS TO RAISE AWARENESS ABOUT SEXUAL
VIOLENCE AND TO EDUCATE COAST GUARD MILITARY AND CIVILIAN PERSONNEL
ON HOW TO PREVENT AND RESPOND TO SEXUAL ASSUALT.  ALTHOUGH THE MONTH
OF APRIL IS A TIME FOR INCREASED PUBLIC FOCUS ON SEXUAL ASSAULT
AWARENESS AND PREVENTION, WE HAVE A CONTINUING DUTY TO ERADICATE
SEXUAL ASSAULT FROM THE COAST GUARD.
2. AS I STATED IN SHIPMATES 19, THE CRIME OF SEXUAL ASSAULT INJURES
PEOPLE, UNDERMINES MORALE, DEGRADES READINESS AND DAMAGES MISSION
PERFORMANCE.  EACH INCIDENT OF SEXUAL ASSAULT IS A DELIBERATE ACT
THAT VIOLATES LAW, POLICY AND SERVICE STANDARDS.    WE WILL NOT
TOLERATE THIS BEHAVIOR IN THE COAST GUARD.  WE WILL INTERVENE TO
PREVENT OR HALT THESE ACTS WHEN THEY ARE OCCURRING.  WE WILL
INVESTIGATE AND DISCIPLINE THOSE WHO HAVE VIOLATED LAW AND SERVICE
POLICY.  WE WILL INSIST THAT ALL OF OUR SHIPMATES LIVE BY OUR CORE
VALUES.  DUTY DEMANDS COURAGE, AND ELIMINATING SEXUAL ASSAULT WITHIN
OUR RANKS IS EVERYONES RESPONSIBILITY.
3. SEXUAL ASSAULT IS IN DIRECT CONTRAVENTION TO MY GUIDING PRINCIPLE
THAT WE RESPECT OUR SHIPMATES, AND IS INCOMPATIBLE WITH OUR CORE
VALUES OF HONOR, RESPECT AND DEVOTION TO DUTY.  OUR ENDURING GOAL IS
TO ELIMINATE SEXUAL ASSAULT IN OUR COAST GUARD.
4. TODAY, THE DEPUTY COMMANDANT FOR MISSION SUPPORT (DCMS)
PROMULGATED AND IS RELEASING THE NEW SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND
PREVENTION MONTH AND RELEASE OF THE COAST GUARD SEXUAL ASSAULT
PREVENTION AND RESPONSE (SAPR) POLICY MANUAL COMDTINST M1754.10D.
THE SAPR PROGRAM ESTABLISHES COMPREHENSIVE POLICY AND PROCEDURES
DESIGNED TO HALT SEXUAL ASSAULT IN OUR SERVICE BY BUILDING A CULTURE
OF PREVENTION THROUGH INCREASED EDUCATION AND TRAINING, WHILE ALSO
ENHANCING RESPONSE CAPABILITY, VICTIM SUPPORT, REPORTING PROCEDURES,
AND ACCOUNTABILITY.  THIS MANUAL IS THE CULMINATION OF A MULTI-YEAR
EFFORT TO PUT IN PLACE A MORE EFFECTIVE SAPR PROGRAM ACROSS THE
SERVICE.
5. IN 2011, THE VICE COMMANDANT CHARTERED A SAPR TASK FORCE
CO-CHAIRED BY DCMS AND THE MASTER CHIEF PETTY OFFICER OF THE COAST
GUARD (MCPOCG).  THE TASK FORCE IS PROVIDING RECOMMENDATIONS TO
IMPROVE POLICY, DOCTRINE, COMMUNICATIONS, EDUCATION, TRAINING,
INVESTIGATION AND PROSECUTION, AND WORKFORCE CLIMATE AND CULTURE
ASPECTS THAT PERTAIN TO SEXUAL ASSAULT.  THE TASK FORCES WORK HAS
INFORMED THE NEW SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS AND PREVENTION MONTH AND
RELEASE OF THE COAST GUARD SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE
(SAPR) POLICY MANUAL COMDTINST M1754.10D AND ITS FINAL REPORT WILL BE
USED TO FURTHER IMPROVE THE COAST GUARD SAPR PROGRAM.
6. ALL COMMANDERS, COMMANDING OFFICERS AND OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE SHALL
HOLD AN ALL HANDS DURING APRIL OR MAY TO READ THIS MESSAGE AND
DISCUSS THE SAPR PROGRAM POLICY AND PROCEDURES.
7. A DIGITAL VERSION OF THE SAPR POLICY MANUAL IS AVAILABLE AT
HTTP://WWW.USCG.MIL/WORKLIFE/SAPR.ASP.
8. STAND A TAUT WATCH. SEMPER PARATUS.
9. VADM SALLY BRICE-OHARA, ACTING COMMANDANT, SENDS.
10. INTERNET RELEASE AUTHORIZED.