COMDTINST1754.10B
to the victim upon request. The Superintendent of the Coast Guard Academy may supplement the
procedures in this Instruction to effectively utilize the unique resources available to the Academy in
cases involving cadets and officer candidates as victims but must still follow reporting requirements.
Reference (a) establishes policies and procedures for reporting sexual abuse incidents occurring
between family members or committed by caregivers and should be followed in those situations.
5. DISCUSSION.
a. According to data from the Bureau of Justice Statistics, assaults by a friend or acquaintance
make up approximately 80% of all sexual assaults. A perpetrator of sexual assault is likely to be
well groomed, charismatic, likeable, a good performer, etc., as it is these elements that encourage
the victim to trust him or her.
b. While the rights of crime victims are addressed by both state and federal legislation, sexual
assault victims are faced with issues unique to that crime. Often, sexual assault is incorrectly
viewed as neither violent nor criminal when it occurs between acquaintances or when alcohol is
involved. Further, the victim is made to feel responsible for his or her own predicament and
often feels re-victimized by the legal or investigative process. It is important to understand that
all sexual assaults are criminal acts of violence. They often leave the victim psychologically and
physically traumatized, regardless of the circumstances surrounding the incident.
c. Sexual assault victims are at a higher risk for suicidal ideation, gestures and attempts. Most, at a
minimum, will show signs of Rape Trauma Syndrome, which is similar in nature to Post
Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
d. The alleged perpetrator faces potential Uniform Code of Military Justice charges, criminal
charges, administrative actions, loss of career, loss of freedom, and should be considered at an
increased risk for suicide as well.
6. DEFINITIONS.
a. Assault. The use of unlawful force or violence either as an overt act with the intent of inflicting
bodily harm, or as an unlawful demonstration of violence, through an intentional or culpably
negligent act or omission, either of which creates in the mind of another a reasonable
apprehension of receiving immediate bodily harm.
(1) Sexual Assault. For purposes of this Instruction, the term sexual assault will be used
generically to include all of the terms listed in 6.a.(1)(a)-(e) below, and applies to adult victims
and perpetrators. (COMDTINST 1750.7 (series) addresses sexual assaults involving minors).
(a) Assault with Intent to Commit Rape. An assault with the intent to commit rape. The
accused must have intended to complete the offense of rape and to overcome any
resistance by force.
(b) Assault with Intent to Commit Sodomy. An assault against a human being committed
with the specific intent of completing the offense of sodomy.
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