In a troubling development for advocates of sexual violence prevention within the military, the Pentagon is reportedly contemplating the elimination of critical regulations designed to combat sexual assault. This potential rollback, revealed in a memorandum, has raised alarms among experts and survivors alike, who argue that such a move could not only breach federal law but also create a “chilling effect” on those who have experienced sexual violence.
The backdrop to this situation is an executive order issued by former President Donald Trump on February 19, which directed federal agencies to review and potentially rescind regulations deemed unconstitutional or overly burdensome. This initiative, part of a broader effort to streamline government operations under the so-called Department of Government Efficiency, has led to a directive from Deputy Secretary of Defense Stephen Feinberg. He instructed officials across various Defense Department agencies to scrutinize their regulations and identify any that could be modified or eliminated.
Among the regulations under review is the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program, a crucial framework established to support military survivors of sexual assault. This program, which provides mental and physical health care, advocacy services, and legal assistance, was born from a 2005 Department of Defense initiative aimed at addressing the pervasive issue of sexual violence in the armed forces. It was subsequently codified by the National Defense Authorization Act, which mandated that the military create a comprehensive victims’ services program and report its findings to Congress.
Despite its imperfections, experts argue that dismantling the SAPR program would be a significant regression for justice and support for survivors. Erin Kirk-Cuomo, co-founder of Not In My Marine Corps, emphasized the dangers of framing the SAPR program as a mere bureaucratic initiative. “It’s a misunderstanding of the law and the lived reality of what it is to be a sexual assault and harassment survivor in a military uniform,” she stated. Kirk-Cuomo cautioned that without SAPR, the military could regress to a culture reminiscent of the infamous “Tailhook” scandal, where survivors were often ignored or silenced.
The statistics surrounding sexual violence in the military are alarming. Although the Pentagon estimates that around 29,000 military personnel were sexually assaulted in 2023, research from Brown University suggests that the actual number could be 2.5 times higher. This discrepancy highlights the underreporting of sexual violence, particularly among male service members, and underscores the importance of the SAPR program in tracking and addressing these incidents.
A 2021 investigation revealed that sexual assault cases involving U.S. military personnel in Africa were significantly underreported. While the Pentagon’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office documented only 73 cases in the U.S. Africa Command area from 2010 to 2020, military criminal investigators recorded at least 158 allegations during the same period. This disparity raises serious questions about the military’s commitment to transparency and accountability in addressing sexual violence.
The current review of regulations is not the first time the Trump administration has signaled an intention to dismantle SAPR. Earlier attempts to cut funding for various SAPR programs faced backlash and were ultimately reversed. Kirk-Cuomo noted that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, who has faced allegations of sexual misconduct himself, has historically marginalized the voices of survivors, raising concerns about the motivations behind these regulatory reviews.
The implications of these potential changes extend beyond the SAPR program. The regulations under review encompass a wide range of protections, including those for vulnerable individuals and groups, as well as safeguards for national security and taxpayer interests. Pentagon spokesperson Eric Pahon confirmed that the review process is ongoing, but the timeline for final decisions remains unclear.
Josh Connolly, senior vice president of Protect Our Defenders, expressed concern that the current administration conflates the issue of sexual violence prevention with a broader critique of “wokeness.” He pointed out that the SAPR program is essential for tracking incidents of sexual violence, a critical component of taking the issue seriously. “They would truly be sweeping this issue under the rug,” Connolly warned, emphasizing that such actions would send a profoundly chilling message to survivors.
Ultimately, the responsibility to protect the SAPR program lies with Congress, which established the office in the first place. Connolly urged lawmakers to take an active role in safeguarding these vital regulations, as the future of sexual violence prevention in the military hangs in the balance. As discussions continue, the voices of survivors and advocates must remain at the forefront, ensuring that the military does not retreat into a past where sexual violence was ignored and unaddressed.
