Task Force Report on Care for Victims of Sexual Assault

Abstract

The Department of Defense is unequivocal in its commitment to ensure that victims of sexual assault be protected, treated with dignity and respect, provided proper medical and psychological care, and that the perpetrators of such assaults be held accountable. Task Force Charter On February 5, 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld directed the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness, Dr. David S.C. Chu, to undertake a 90-day review of all sexual assault policies and programs among the Services and DoD, and recommend changes necessary to increase prevention, promote reporting, enhance the quality and support provided to victims, especially within combat theaters, and improve accountability for offender actions. Review Methodology On February 13, 2004, the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness established an eight member Department of Defense Care for Victims of Sexual Assaults Task Force. The Task Force formulated a review plan, which included the following: Request and analyze sexual assault incidence and demographic data from the Services. Request and assess current DoD-wide, Service-wide and Combatant Command-wide sexual assault policies and programs. Perform literature review on sexual assault, including review of prior studies and reports on DoD sexual assault and related programs. Discuss sexual assault prevention, reporting, response, and disposition issues with commanders, non-commissioned officers, junior enlisted personnel, service providers (medical, mental health, victim advocate, victim witness advocate, chaplains, law enforcement, investigative agencies, and legal personnel), and victims. Consult with subject matter experts within the Department of Defense, other federal agencies, civilian experts, and sexual assault support organizations about matters that should inform our review with respect to prevention, reporting, response, and disposition of sexual assault cases.

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Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Apr 01, 2004
Accession Number
ADA488280

Entities

Organizations

  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Court Martial
  • Employment
  • Enlisted Personnel
  • Families (Human)
  • Health Services
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Medicine
  • Military Science
  • National Security
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Psychology
  • Recreation
  • Sexual Assault
  • Students
  • Therapy
  • Unified Combatant Commands

Fields of Study

  • Medicine
  • Psychology

Readers

  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Government and Public Administration Law.
  • Organizational Psychology.