Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
The Department of Defense (DoD) has officially recognized April 2024 as the Annual Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. This designation serves as a call to action for Service members to actively contribute to preventing and responding to sexual violence within the military community.
Dr. Nate Galbreath, acting director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, emphasized the importance of the ongoing "STEP FORWARD" campaign, stating, "Each of us has a moral duty to step forward to prevent this crime, increase reporting, and advocate for a safer military community."
Ashish S. Vazirani, performing the duties of the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, highlighted the critical link between a safe environment and military readiness. Vazirani stressed the need for a collective effort to eliminate sexual assault within the military, stating, "Every Service member deserves to serve in a healthy environment and be treated with dignity and respect."
Furthermore, Vazirani underlined the significance of creating a culture that promotes resilience and readiness across the Force, stating, "Together, we can increase resilience and readiness across the Force by focusing on creating the appropriate culture to eliminate sexual assault."
Elizabeth Foster, executive director of Force Resiliency, reiterated the Department's commitment to eradicating sexual assault within the military, stating, "Every member of the Total Force deserves a workplace free of sexual assault, which erodes trust and cohesion within our units."
The DoD continues to invest significant resources in initiatives aimed at preventing harmful behaviors, improving command climate, supporting victims of sexual assault, and promoting year-round sexual assault prevention. The Department's efforts align with Secretary Austin's priority of Taking Care of Our People, with a focus on ensuring a safe and respectful environment for all Service members.
For individuals within the DoD community who have experienced sexual assault, support and assistance are available through the DoD Safe Helpline at 877-995-5247 or SafeHelpline.org/live-chat. Additional information on Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month and the STEP FORWARD campaign can be accessed at https://www.sapr.mil/saapm.
