1. DoD Way Ahead for Sexual Assault Prevention
Dr. Andra Tharp
Senior Prevention Advisor
9 Sept 2019

2. Overview 1 2 3 SAPRO Overview FY18/APY 17-18 Annual Report Results
Prevention Plan of Action 1 2 3

3. DoD SAPRO: Who We Are
Overview: DoD SAPRO represents the Secretary of Defense as the central authority charged with preventing sexual assault in the military and facilitating recovery for survivors Mission: SAPRO promotes military readiness by reducing sexual assault through prevention, advocacy, and execution of SAPR Program policy, planning, and oversight across the DoD Community Vision: A DoD Community free of sexual assault
At DoD SAPRO, we serve as the central authority for the Secretary of Defense on the issue of sexual assault.
Our mission is to promote military readiness and maintain the lethality of the force by reducing sexual assault – through prevention, advocacy, and policy.
And I know you all share our vision of a DoD community free of sexual assault.
But that’s a tall mountain to climb. We may never reach a world where sexual assault doesn’t occur.
However, I know we’ll continue making progress in reducing the crime so long as we maintain our focus on prevention, with an uncompromising commitment to victim assistance.
If anyone can do it, we can in the Department of Defense. We are an organization dedicated to solving problems, embodying values and character in the profession of arms
Our approach is prevention-focused with an uncompromising commitment to victim assistance

4. DoD SAPRO: What We Do
We execute policy, planning, and oversight across the DoD Community
Policy: to establish and reinforce prevention efforts, victim protections, and procedures for SAPR personnel
Planning: to apply a strategic approach to combatting sexual assault with actions guided by five critical focus areas: Prevention, Victim Assistance, Investigation, Accountability, and Assessment
Oversight: to unify prevention and response efforts of the Services by ensuring equal emphasis on critical challenge areas and making best practices common
Additionally, SAPRO’s operational portfolio includes:
A little more about what we do within the Department. I’m not sure it’s always crystal clear to those in the field about what we do.
First and foremost, SAPRO is a policy office, working to come up with the guidelines to help you do your jobs effectively.
We establish the overall strategy and focus areas for sexual assault prevention and response policy and programs.
From an oversight perspective, we are focused on making programs and policies common across the four Services.
A unique aspect of our program is the operational component which includes being the program office for the DoD Safe Helpline, D-SAACP, DSAID, and DOD SAPR Connect; resources I know many of you are familiar with.
But make no mistake, it’s you, the people who execute policy at the deckplate (as we say in the Navy) that make the difference.
I thank you for that.

5. DoD SAPRO: Program Goals
Prevention
Decrease Past-Year Prevalence of Sexual Assault
Increase Service Member Reporting
Response System
Improvements

6. FY18/APY 17-18 Annual Report Results
SAPRO Overview
FY18/APY Annual Report Results
Prevention Plan of Action 1 2 3

7. FY18 Annual Report: DoD: Sexual Assault Prevalence and Reporting Rates
About 1 in 3 Service members estimated to have experienced past-year sexual assault, reported it to a DoD authority—roughly the same as in FY16
Reporting for women decreased slightly between FY16 and FY18 from 43% to 37% (2018 Point Estimate for women: 13,000)
Reporting for men stayed the same for the same period at 17% (2018 Point Estimate for men: 7,500)
26% increase in Service member reporting between 2016 and 2018
44% increase in prevalence for women between 2016 and 2018
About 1 in 3 Service members reported their sexual assault to a DoD authority - roughly the same as in FY16
Reporting rate for women decreased slightly between FY16 and FY18, from 43% to 37%
Reporting rate for men stayed the same between FY16 and FY18, at 17%

8. Secretary of Defense Actions to Address FY18 Annual Report Findings
Implement the recommendations of the Task Force report, including taking steps to seek a stand-alone military crime of sexual harassment
Develop new climate assessment tools
Launch the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program
Enhance Efforts to Select Recruits of the Highest Character
Prepare New Leaders and First-Line Supervisors for Applied Leadership Challenges
Execute the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention Plan of Action (PPoA)
Implement the recommendations of the Task Force report, including taking steps to seek a stand-alone military crime of sexual harassment
On April 30, the SecDef approved the recommendations from the Task Force and directed the Military Departments and DoD Components to immediately begin needed actions
A plan of action with milestones on implementation is due to the SecDef by September 30 through USD(P&R)
Develop new climate assessment tools
The Department will provide leaders with assessment tools that will :
Help them to better understand the extent of climate challenges within their units,
Assist them with developing an appropriate course of action from a suite of interventions
Provide them with feedback on the impact of their efforts.
Launch the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program
To improve the identification of repeat offenders, the Military Departments will ensure necessary resourcing and structure to incorporate the CATCH Program into their respective sexual assault prevention and response programs when it comes "online" this year.
Plans of action and milestones for CATCH Program implementation, force education, and response personnel training is due to the SecDef through the USD(P&R) no later than 60 days after the program is implemented.
Enhance Efforts to Select Recruits of the Highest Character
To ensure the men and women recruited into our Armed Forces are compatible with our military's core values
A collaboration across the Department will form a working group to develop a plan to validate and implement measures to improve assessment of military applicant character prior to selection.
A proposed plan with a projected timelines for piloting assessment measures is due to the SecDef by September 30
Prepare New Leaders and First-Line Supervisors for Applied Leadership Challenges
To ensure our newest officer and enlisted leaders are prepared to fulfill their supervisory roles to prevent and properly respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment
The Department will create a working group to identify the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for training and education (inclusive of all officer accession pathways and professional military education) to effectively prepare junior officers and junior enlisted leaders for preventing and responding to the applied leadership challenges presented by sexual assault and sexual harassment.
A plan of action with milestones are due to the SecDef by September 30.
Execute the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention Plan of Action (PPOA)
To stop sexual assault before it occurs and promote unity of effort throughout the DoD
Implementation progress will be reported in four phases in accordance with the "Execution of the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention Plan of Action, " memorandum dated April 26, 2019.
Complete frameworks for phase one are due to the SecDef by December 31.

9. Military Service Academies: Prevalence and Reporting
Talking points:
Reports here are limited to cadets/midshipmen/prep school students who made a report of sexual assault that occurred during military Service
Prevalence of unwanted sexual assault has increased between APY and APY Survey estimates show that approximately 747 Academy students experienced an unwanted sexual contact incident in the past year, up from 507 in APY and 327 in APY
Reporting data from APY indicate that 94 Academy students, or 13 percent of those estimated to have experienced unwanted sexual contact, subsequently made an official report of the incident, which is consistent with the rate of reporting in APY
Progress at the Military Service Academies has been sporadic.
Sexual assault prevalence rates have fluctuated, but have stayed in a fairly narrow range until this year.
Sexual assault reporting rates at the academies have not shown an increase comparable to the upturn in active duty force reporting since 2013.
Note: The intent of this graph is to compare the estimated number of cadets and midshipmen who endorsed experiencing past-year unwanted sexual contact on a scientific survey to the number of cadets and midshipmen who made a restricted or unrestricted report of sexual assault within the past APY. Therefore, the graph above only includes sexual assault reports made by cadets and midshipmen for incidents that occurred during military service. “Overall reporting” totals (shown as trends on slide 4) also include reports made by non-Academy students alleging an offense against a cadet, midshipman, or prep school student, as well as cadets, midshipmen, or prep school students who filed a sexual assault report for an incident that occurred prior to military service.

10. USD(P&R) Actions to Address MSA APY 17-18 Report
Employ Experienced Prevention Personnel
Launch the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program*
Enhance Efforts to Select Recruits of the Highest Character*
Tailor Efforts to Prepare Cadet and Midshipman Peer Leaders
Support Completion of an Academy Prevention Evaluation Framework
Implement the recommendations of the Task Force report, including taking steps to seek a stand-alone military crime of sexual harassment
On April 30, the SecDef approved the recommendations from the Task Force and directed the Military Departments and DoD Components to immediately begin needed actions
A plan of action with milestones on implementation is due to the SecDef by September 30 through USD(P&R)
Develop new climate assessment tools
The Department will provide leaders with assessment tools that will :
Help them to better understand the extent of climate challenges within their units,
Assist them with developing an appropriate course of action from a suite of interventions
Provide them with feedback on the impact of their efforts.
Launch the Catch a Serial Offender (CATCH) Program
To improve the identification of repeat offenders, the Military Departments will ensure necessary resourcing and structure to incorporate the CATCH Program into their respective sexual assault prevention and response programs when it comes "online" this year.
Plans of action and milestones for CATCH Program implementation, force education, and response personnel training is due to the SecDef through the USD(P&R) no later than 60 days after the program is implemented.
Enhance Efforts to Select Recruits of the Highest Character
To ensure the men and women recruited into our Armed Forces are compatible with our military's core values
A collaboration across the Department will form a working group to develop a plan to validate and implement measures to improve assessment of military applicant character prior to selection.
A proposed plan with a projected timelines for piloting assessment measures is due to the SecDef by September 30
Prepare New Leaders and First-Line Supervisors for Applied Leadership Challenges
To ensure our newest officer and enlisted leaders are prepared to fulfill their supervisory roles to prevent and properly respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment
The Department will create a working group to identify the appropriate knowledge, skills, and abilities needed for training and education (inclusive of all officer accession pathways and professional military education) to effectively prepare junior officers and junior enlisted leaders for preventing and responding to the applied leadership challenges presented by sexual assault and sexual harassment.
A plan of action with milestones are due to the SecDef by September 30.
Execute the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention Plan of Action (PPOA)
To stop sexual assault before it occurs and promote unity of effort throughout the DoD
Implementation progress will be reported in four phases in accordance with the "Execution of the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention Plan of Action, " memorandum dated April 26, 2019.
Complete frameworks for phase one are due to the SecDef by December 31.
*Parallel action to FY18 Annual Report Actions to Address

11. Prevention Plan of Action
SAPRO Overview
FY18/APY Annual Report Results
Prevention Plan of Action 1 2 3

12. Prevention Plan of Action
Sustained decreases in prevalence of sexual assault across the Department requires effective, tailored prevention in every military setting

13. Prevention Plan of Action: Prevention Process
Data-driven steps that enable organizations to develop, implement, and evaluate a comprehensive prevention approach that meets their unique needs and leverages their unique strengths.

14. Prevention Plan of Action: Prevention System
Leadership expertise coupled with scientifically supported prevention approaches and processes are essential to reduce sexual assault in military settings.
The prevention system must include empowered leaders, an equipped prevention workforce, collaborative relationships, and an infrastructure that facilitates action.

15. Prevention Plan of Action: Prevention System
Leadership expertise coupled with scientifically supported prevention approaches and processes are essential to reduce sexual assault in military settings.
The prevention system must include empowered leaders, an equipped prevention workforce, collaborative relationships, and an infrastructure that facilitates action.

16. Prevention Plan of Action: Applying Evidence
Experiential, be cautious can be misleading, but if consensus warrants further study (embedded providers)
Well-Supported Promising Undetermined Unsupported Harmful
Well Tested & Effective Tested & Effective Untested Well Tested & Ineffective Tested & Harmful

17. Prevention Plan of Action: Equipping a Prevention Workforce
Prevention Skill Set
Example Activities
Public Health and Sexual Assault Prevention Knowledge
- Identify, understand, and apply relevant research
- Maintain sexual assault prevention expertise
- Provide technical assistance
Prevention Selection and Planning
- Adapt and tailor prevention programs and policies
- Strategic planning
Prevention Execution
- Program training and delivery
- Training of trainers
Prevention Evaluation
- Evaluation and assessment
- Data analysis and synthesis
Program Management
- Supervision and oversight
- Budget management
- Policy compliance
Communications
- Advise leadership
Networking and Collaboration
- Foster relationships with other helping professionals
- Prevention integration

18. Prevention Plan of Action: Fostering Collaborative Relationships

19. Prevention Plan of Action: Developing Metrics for Assessment and Oversight
Translation of Prevention Plan of Action Elements into Observable Metrics At the Academy Level and Prevention Activity Level
PREVENTION SYSTEM ELEMENTS
Level (Number of Criteria)
Leaders Prevention Collaborative Data Resources Policy*
Workforce Relationships
Academy (5) Academy (6) Academy (2) Academy (4) Academy (3)
PREVENTION PROCESS ELEMENTS
Level (Number of Criteria)
Activity (2) Activity (8) Activity (10) Activity (12)
Academy (6) Academy (4) Academy (1)
*Policy criteria incorporated into Academy Level Prevention Workforce and Data criteria

20. Discussion and questions

21. Contact Information
Dr. Andra Tharp Contact SAPRO: Learn More: Get Help:

22. FY18 Annual Report: Past-Year Prevalence of Sexual Assault in the Military
Type of Sexual Assault
DoD Women
DoD Men
6.2% ↑
4.3%
0.7% ↔
0.6% ↔ ↔

23. FY18 Annual Report: Key Findings
Sexual Assault Prevalence Rates for Women by Service
Sexual Assault Prevalence Rates for Men by Service
2018 Trend Comparisons: ↑ Higher than ↓ Lower than ↔ No Change

24. Military Service Academies: Sexual Assault Reporting Trends
Talking points:
117 reports of sexual assault were made that involved an Academy student as either the victim and/or alleged perpetrator
Reports Remaining Restricted increased by 5 and Unrestricted Reports remained the same as APY 16-17
Increases in reports were observed at USMA and USNA, while USAFA received fewer reports this year than in APY 16-17
9 reports were made for incidents that occurred prior to military Service, compared to 8 in APY 16-17
19 Initial Restricted Reports (28%) converted to Unrestricted by the end of the APY, similar to 18 (30%) observed in APY 16-17
Prevalence of unwanted sexual assault has increased between APY and APY Survey estimates show that approximately 747 Academy students experienced an unwanted sexual contact incident in the past year, up from 507 in APY and 327 in APY
Reporting data from APY indicate that 94 Academy students, or 13 percent of those estimated to have experienced unwanted sexual contact, subsequently made an official report of the incident, which is consistent with the rate of reporting in APY