NCJ Number
240717
Date Published
April 2012
Length
734 pages
Annotation
This U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) annual report presents statistics and analysis of reported sexual assaults during fiscal Year 2011, discusses policy and program improvements to sexual assault, and outlines future plans to enhance support to victims of sexual assault.
Abstract
This report finds that in fiscal 2011, there were a total of 3,192 reports of sexual assault involving service members as either victims or subjects, representing a 1 percent increase in reports of sexual assault compared to fiscal 2010. Also detailed are the actions taken against the subjects investigated as a result of these reports. The department had jurisdiction and sufficient evidence to take disciplinary action against 791 subjects for a sexual assault offense. Of these, 489, or 62 percent had courts-martial charges preferred against them, a 10 percentage point increase in the rate of courts-martial charges preferred compared to fiscal 2010. Since August 2011, a two-star general has overseen the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office and under the leadership of the Secretary of Defense, several new victim-focused policies have been implemented. These included expanded legal assistance, expedited transfers for victims of sexual assault, and extended retention of forensic examination and investigative reports. Other new initiatives to enhance how the department prevents and responds to sexual assault include: establishment of a sexual assault advocate credentialing and certification program; expansion of sexual assault support services to military spouses and adult military dependents; expansion of emergency care and support services to DOD civilians stationed abroad and DOD U.S. citizen contractors in combat areas; increased funding for investigators and judge advocates to receive additional specialized training; implementation of an integrated data system for tracking sexual assault reports and managing cases; and assessment of how the department trains commanding officers and senior enlisted leaders on sexual assault prevention and response. Tables, figures, exhibits, and appendixes