Who must be notified immediately about a reported sexual assault in the military?

The Installation Commanding Officer (CO) must be notified immediately about a reported sexual assault in the military due to their crucial role in managing the immediate response and resources required for handling such incidents. The commanding officer is responsible for ensuring that the appropriate actions are taken to support the victim and to initiate the necessary legal and procedural responses in line with military protocols.

This notification allows the CO to assess the situation, implement safety measures for the victim, and coordinate with appropriate support services, such as the Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC) and other key personnel trained to respond to such incidents. Proper and prompt notification helps maintain the integrity of investigations and supports the overall mission of ensuring a safe environment for all service members.

While local law enforcement and public affairs officers are important to the broader response and communication strategies, their roles focus on law enforcement and public information management rather than the immediate internal command processes that the CO oversees. Therefore, the timely notification to the Installation CO is critical in effectively addressing the situation within the military context.