Today, the Department of Defense (DOD) released the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2021-2022.
Congress requires the Department to submit an annual report for each Academic Program Year (APY) on the effectiveness of the policies, training, and procedures of the Military Service Academies (MSAs) regarding sexual harassment and sexual violence involving academy personnel at the United States Military Academy, United States Naval Academy, and United States Air Force Academy. The report also provides updates on the Department’s efforts to prevent and respond to sexual assault throughout APY 21-22.
“Preventing sexual assault remains one of the Department’s highest priorities, and the results of this report demonstrate that we must continue implementation of the unprecedented reforms underway. While change of this magnitude will take time, we owe it to our cadets and midshipmen – the Department’s future leaders – to redouble our efforts and ensure that this work is effective and enduring. No one should experience sexual assault. While we continue efforts to prevent these behaviors at our Academies, we encourage survivors to come forward and make reports so we can connect them with recovery care, and aid efforts to hold offenders appropriately accountable,” said Ms. Elizabeth Foster, Executive Director of the Office of Force Resiliency.
The results from the Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, APY 21-22, reaffirm the critical need for continued implementation of the reforms underway in the Department as informed by the recommendations of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC). The Secretary’s IRC conducted a wide-ranging assessment of current policies, programs, and personnel experiences to systemically improve prevention; climate and culture; victim care and support; and accountability.
“We’re working very deliberately with academy leadership to provide cadets and midshipmen places to live and learn that are free from sexual assault and sexual harassment,” said Dr. Nate Galbreath, (Acting) Director of the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. “This year’s survey results underscore the importance of implementing improvements recommended by the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military. There is no single solution to this problem. However, the military justice reforms, prevention initiatives, and survivor care enhancements we have underway for the military as a whole are the solution set for the academies as well.”
The Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies, Academic Program Year 2021-2022 is available on https://www.sapr.mil/.