Military Personnel: Actions Needed to Strengthen Implementation and Oversight of DOD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Programs

In 2004, Congress directed the Department of Defense (DoD) to establish a comprehensive policy to prevent and respond to sexual assaults involving service members. Though not required to do so, the Coast Guard has established a similar policy. This statement addresses implementation and oversight of DoD's and the Coast Guard's programs to prevent and respond to sexual assault incidents. Specifically, it addresses the extent to which DoD and the Coast Guard have done the following: (1) developed and implemented policies and procedures to prevent, respond to, and resolve reported sexual assault incidents; (2) ensured visibility over reports of sexual assault in the military; and (3) exercised oversight over reports of sexual assault involving service members. This statement draws on GAO's report on DoD's and the Coast Guard's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response programs issued on August 29, 2008 (GAO-08-924). For this work, GAO reviewed legislative requirements and DoD and Coast Guard guidance, analyzed sexual assault incident data, and obtained through surveys and interviews the perspective of more than 3,900 service members on sexual assault matters. GAO made 11 recommendations to improve implementation of DoD's and the Coast Guard's programs. These include, for example, reviewing and evaluating guidance and training, and improving oversight of the programs. DoD and the Coast Guard concurred with the recommendations. Testimony before the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs, Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, House of Representatives.