According to the memorandum, service members who file credible, unrestricted reports of sexual assault will be given the option to request a temporary or permanent transfer from their command or base.

“The intent behind the policy is straightforward: to protect and separate victims of sexual assaults from the offender,” said Col. Kevin D. King, the III Marine Expeditionary Force sexual assault response coordinator.

After submission, commanding officers have 72 hours to approve or deny the request. If approved, the request would immediately be forwarded to the appropriate office that processes permanent change of station, permanent change of assignment and unit transfers.

“Sexual assault is a traumatizing event for anyone,” said Sandra M. Beecher, a civilian victim advocate with Marine Corps Community Services. “However, this trauma is amplified for a military victim whose offender may also be on active duty, perhaps even in their own unit.”

If a request is denied by a commanding officer, service members will be given the opportunity to have the request reviewed by the first general or flag officer in their chain of command. Once submitted, the decision to approve or deny a transfer again must be made within 72 hours.

“This law (part of the National Defense Authorization Act of 2012) gives military victims the right to expedited consideration of a transfer request,” Beecher said. “This, along with other tools we already use, such as military protective orders, will give victims greater protection from revictimization.”

As Marine Corps Headquarters has not yet distributed implementing guidance, there could still be changes or refinements to the policy in the future, according to King.

Further information regarding sexual assault prevention and response can be found at http://www.mccsokinawa.com/sapr.asp. 

“Sexual assault is a crime,” Beecher said. “If you are the victim of a sexual assault, you can call 645-HOPE (4673) and speak to a victim advocate to discuss your options.”