The Defense Department today released two reports: the Department of Defense Fiscal Year 2007 Report on Sexual Assault in the Military and the 2006 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members.
The Report on Sexual Assault, prepared by the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO), provides an overview of the SAPR program and data on alleged sexual assaults reported during fiscal 2007. In fiscal 2007, 2,688 reports of sexual assault involving service members as subject and/or victim were filed.
Restricted reporting, which provides a victim with support services without initiating the criminal investigation process and preserves the victim's anonymity, continues to be a crucial option for service members. Some research had found that victims may choose to forego services rather than participate in the investigative process. Of the 2,688 reports made, 705 were under the restricted program. In 102 of these cases, victims later decided to pursue legal charges and switched their report to unrestricted.
The report indicates that the services placed a high priority on training. Comprehensive programs were developed and delivered in methods ranging from traditional, in-person training to more innovative, automated methods delivered on compact disc or the Internet. All of the military services continued to build education and training programs designed to foster a climate of confidence.
The Gender Relations survey, conducted by the Defense Manpower Data Center (DMDC), was based on a sample of 23,595 respondents and found that 34 percent of active duty women and 6 percent of active duty men indicated experiencing sexual harassment, while 6.8 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men indicated experiencing unwanted sexual contact.
Active duty members gave positive marks for improvement in Department of Defense sexual misconduct training and climate. About 90 percent indicated they received training in the previous year on topics related to sexual harassment and sexual assault and that their training was effective. More than 80 percent reported the Department's sexual harassment and sexual assault policies and procedures were well publicized. Overall, they were more positive in their assessment of the climate in the military than they were of the climate in the nation in regards to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
As a result of the survey and annual report, SAPRO and DMDC will partner along with other organizations within and outside of the Department of Defense to evaluate the effectiveness of past and present reporting efforts, identify enhanced prevention opportunities and strategies, and continue to monitor victim services.
Saturday, March 15, 2008
Commanders Discuss Operational Issues at House Hearing
By Gerry J. Gilmore
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - The senior military leaders of U.S. European Command, U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Africa Command discussed issues related to their areas of operation during testimony before a House panel here yesterday. Supporting the global war against terrorism is his top priority, Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe and European Command chief, told House Armed Services Committee members.
However, "EUCOM is also focused on sustaining Europe as a global partner and furthering U.S. security relationships," Craddock pointed out. Command objectives in this sphere, he explained, include "promoting lasting security and stability, maintaining the ability to employ the full range of capabilities across the spectrum of conflict, and fostering the growth of partner nation capacity and capability."
Servicemembers assigned to EUCOM routinely deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Craddock said, while other troops "are included in our global force pool and stand available for (other) missions as required."
From his NATO perspective, Craddock told the committee that nearly 50,000 NATO-aligned troops are in Afghanistan, including about 19,000 U.S. servicemembers.
"NATO remains committed to collective security and, increasingly, to a broader and more comprehensive view of security in an interdependent world," Craddock said.
The alliance "has taken the lead for security and stability in Afghanistan," Craddock reported. More than 47,000 International Security Assistance Force troops now deployed there are assisting Afghan forces in the fight against Taliban insurgents, he said.
European Command also supports efforts to keep the peace in newly independent Kosovo, Craddock said. U.S. forces make up about 10 percent of the 16,000 international troops in Kosovo, he noted.
Craddock said his organization also works closely with U.S. Africa Command, which was stood up at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, on Oct. 1. European Command previously had responsibility for several African nations.
U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility includes all of Latin America and parts of the Caribbean. SOUTHCOM chief Navy Adm. James Stavridis described the region as a "vibrant and diverse part of the world" where $1.2 trillion worth of U.S. economic trade is transacted.
Yet, SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility also includes challenges, Stavridis said.
"There are enormous challenges, starting with poverty, but also drugs," the four-star admiral noted. Regional terrorists, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, increasingly rely on narcotics trafficking as a way to raise funds, he said.
Stavridis also sees "the beginnings of Islamic radical terrorism" in some parts of his area of responsibility.
On the Caribbean watch, Cuba remains the sole dictatorship in the Americas, Stavridis said, while noting Haiti "continues to be a nation that is trying to overcome extreme challenges of poverty."
The admiral also cited recent tensions caused by a border dispute between Colombia and its neighbors Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela and Ecuador accused Colombia of violating their sovereignty during recent Colombian military operations that attacked terrorists operating along the countries' common borders.
"Thankfully, those (tensions) appear to be diminished," Stavridis said.
Reporting on AFRICOM affairs, Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward said the command's creation "signals a new focus on United States' strategic interests for Africa and its island nations."
AFRICOM will work with its partners on the African continent "to help create a secure and encouraging future" for all, Ward said.
"Our intent is to enable them to provide for their own security," Ward explained. Other U.S. agencies in addition to the Defense Department are involved in this endeavor, Ward continued, including the State Department's Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program.
ACOTA "has helped prepare thousands of African military personnel for international peacekeeping operations," Ward pointed out. He said ACOTA-trained forces participate in U.N.- and African Union-sponsored peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Somalia and other areas of conflict.
U.S. soldiers and Marine now provide military training to African peacekeepers and professional development at the individual and unit level, Ward said, while the U.S. Air Force contributes airlift and logistical support.
"We also provide special operations counterterrorism training teams to strengthen national capabilities and enhance multinational cooperation," Ward added.
U.S. military forces also support numerous humanitarian missions in Africa, Ward said, in concert with the State Department's U.S. Agency for International Development.
In addition, the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard "are helping African nations increase their maritime safety and security through training activities and programs that enhance maritime awareness," Ward pointed out.
Ward's face-to-face meetings with African military and political leaders "have made it clear that they want these programs to continue," the four-star general said.
"We will sustain our current efforts, and through Africa Command, we will improve military programs through our strategy of active security" to prevent conflict, Ward said.
American Forces Press Service
March 14, 2008 - The senior military leaders of U.S. European Command, U.S. Southern Command and U.S. Africa Command discussed issues related to their areas of operation during testimony before a House panel here yesterday. Supporting the global war against terrorism is his top priority, Army Gen. Bantz J. Craddock, NATO's supreme allied commander for Europe and European Command chief, told House Armed Services Committee members.
However, "EUCOM is also focused on sustaining Europe as a global partner and furthering U.S. security relationships," Craddock pointed out. Command objectives in this sphere, he explained, include "promoting lasting security and stability, maintaining the ability to employ the full range of capabilities across the spectrum of conflict, and fostering the growth of partner nation capacity and capability."
Servicemembers assigned to EUCOM routinely deploy in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Craddock said, while other troops "are included in our global force pool and stand available for (other) missions as required."
From his NATO perspective, Craddock told the committee that nearly 50,000 NATO-aligned troops are in Afghanistan, including about 19,000 U.S. servicemembers.
"NATO remains committed to collective security and, increasingly, to a broader and more comprehensive view of security in an interdependent world," Craddock said.
The alliance "has taken the lead for security and stability in Afghanistan," Craddock reported. More than 47,000 International Security Assistance Force troops now deployed there are assisting Afghan forces in the fight against Taliban insurgents, he said.
European Command also supports efforts to keep the peace in newly independent Kosovo, Craddock said. U.S. forces make up about 10 percent of the 16,000 international troops in Kosovo, he noted.
Craddock said his organization also works closely with U.S. Africa Command, which was stood up at Kelly Barracks in Stuttgart, Germany, on Oct. 1. European Command previously had responsibility for several African nations.
U.S. Southern Command's area of responsibility includes all of Latin America and parts of the Caribbean. SOUTHCOM chief Navy Adm. James Stavridis described the region as a "vibrant and diverse part of the world" where $1.2 trillion worth of U.S. economic trade is transacted.
Yet, SOUTHCOM's area of responsibility also includes challenges, Stavridis said.
"There are enormous challenges, starting with poverty, but also drugs," the four-star admiral noted. Regional terrorists, including the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as FARC, increasingly rely on narcotics trafficking as a way to raise funds, he said.
Stavridis also sees "the beginnings of Islamic radical terrorism" in some parts of his area of responsibility.
On the Caribbean watch, Cuba remains the sole dictatorship in the Americas, Stavridis said, while noting Haiti "continues to be a nation that is trying to overcome extreme challenges of poverty."
The admiral also cited recent tensions caused by a border dispute between Colombia and its neighbors Venezuela and Ecuador. Venezuela and Ecuador accused Colombia of violating their sovereignty during recent Colombian military operations that attacked terrorists operating along the countries' common borders.
"Thankfully, those (tensions) appear to be diminished," Stavridis said.
Reporting on AFRICOM affairs, Army Gen. William E. "Kip" Ward said the command's creation "signals a new focus on United States' strategic interests for Africa and its island nations."
AFRICOM will work with its partners on the African continent "to help create a secure and encouraging future" for all, Ward said.
"Our intent is to enable them to provide for their own security," Ward explained. Other U.S. agencies in addition to the Defense Department are involved in this endeavor, Ward continued, including the State Department's Africa Contingency Operations Training and Assistance program.
ACOTA "has helped prepare thousands of African military personnel for international peacekeeping operations," Ward pointed out. He said ACOTA-trained forces participate in U.N.- and African Union-sponsored peacekeeping missions in Darfur, Somalia and other areas of conflict.
U.S. soldiers and Marine now provide military training to African peacekeepers and professional development at the individual and unit level, Ward said, while the U.S. Air Force contributes airlift and logistical support.
"We also provide special operations counterterrorism training teams to strengthen national capabilities and enhance multinational cooperation," Ward added.
U.S. military forces also support numerous humanitarian missions in Africa, Ward said, in concert with the State Department's U.S. Agency for International Development.
In addition, the U.S. Navy and the Coast Guard "are helping African nations increase their maritime safety and security through training activities and programs that enhance maritime awareness," Ward pointed out.
Ward's face-to-face meetings with African military and political leaders "have made it clear that they want these programs to continue," the four-star general said.
"We will sustain our current efforts, and through Africa Command, we will improve military programs through our strategy of active security" to prevent conflict, Ward said.
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