An official website of the United States Government 
Here's how you know

Official websites use .gov

.gov website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.

Secure .gov websites use HTTPS

A lock ( lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

DOD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response: What You Need to Know

You have accessed part of a historical collection on defense.gov. Some of the information contained within may be outdated and links may not function. Please contact the DOD Webmaster with any questions.

Defense Department senior leaders look at the Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military as a call to arms against this crime. For the first time since 2012, the incidence of sexual assault against young women rose.

01:50
Play
Video by Army Staff Sgt. Vanessa Atchley, DOD
Elizabeth P. Van Winkle, the executive director of DOD's office of force resiliency, spoke about the way forward and the recommendations put forth by a task force looking at the problem.  

Click here to read the full interview.

Army Command Sgt. Maj. John Wayne Troxell, the senior enlisted advisor to the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke of the responsibility of leaders — especially junior leaders — to set the example and foster an environment of dignity and respect in their command.

Click here to read the full interview.

01:54
Play
Video by Army Staff Sgt. Vanessa Atchley, DOD

00:46
Play
Video by Army Staff Sgt. Vanessa Atchley, DOD
Navy Rear Adm. Ann M. Burkhardt, the director of DOD's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, spoke of the systems DOD has in place to help the victims of this crime.

Click here to read the full interview.

Acting Defense Secretary Patrick M. Shanahan has issued a memorandum on actions to address and prevent sexual assault in the military. "I am, and we all must be, committed to doing more for the women and men who serve this country and ensuring our force is the epitome of good order and discipline in everything we do," he said.

Related Stories