The Secretary of Defense has reported a notable decrease in the estimated prevalence rate of sexual assault and harassment at the United States Military Service Academies. The Academic Program Year (APY) 2023-24 Service Academy Gender Relations Survey indicates a significant reduction in these behaviors for both women and men compared to data from APY 2021-22. This marks a reversal of the previous upward trend observed in recent years.

Military Service Academies are responsible for training future leaders of the U.S. military, who will guide service members through challenging threat environments. The Secretary emphasized that success on the battlefield requires troops to work as a cohesive team, which necessitates eliminating behaviors that undermine trust among warfighters.

The progress is attributed to "principled leadership," which has prioritized fostering healthy team cultures within the academies. Since 2021, the Department has invested substantial resources and implemented reforms targeting the root causes of sexual misconduct, including On-site Installations Evaluations and the Climate Transformation Task Force.

Following an increase in reported cases in APY 2021-22, changes were directed towards overhauling leadership training at these institutions with a focus on qualities like trust, respect, and accountability. "This year's preliminary data reflect the ongoing commitment by leaders across the Department to ensure that all of our teammates are safe and supported," said the Secretary.

Despite these advancements, there remains more work ahead. The Secretary stated, "We do not have one teammate to spare." The goal is to continue developing leaders who prevent harmful behaviors and maintain military readiness while ensuring cadets and midshipmen are protected from sexual misconduct.

Preliminary results from this survey can be accessed online at [www.sapr.mil/].