MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS CHAIRMAN OF THE JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE FOR PERSONNEL AND READINESS CHIEFS OF THE MILITARY SERVICES

As leaders of the Department of Defense, we share a commitment to eliminate sexual assault from our Armed Forces. We are taking important steps to provide new training for commanders, strengthen our training enterprise for all Service members, improve our investigative and military justice system capabilities, and further professionalize our first responders. Even with strong leader emphasis and innovative new programs, we need to achieve greater progress in preventing sexual assault in our ranks. We can build upon these enhanced capabilities but we must do better, a reality underscored by the persistent problem described in the FY2012 Annual Report on Sexual Assault in the Military, released today. Ultimately, we must ensure that every Service member understands that sexist behaviors, sexual harassment, and sexual assault are not tolerated, condoned, or ignored. We need enduring culture change where every Service member is treated with dignity and respect; where all allegations of inappropriate behavior are treated with the utmost seriousness; where victim privacy is protected, and they are treated with sensitivity; where bystanders are motivated to intervene; and where offenders know they will be held appropriately accountable. Our mission requires a comprehensive and synchronized effort to ensure the entire Department is aligned i