ABOUT


	ABOUT SAPRO Prevent. Assist. Restore. The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) represents the Secretary of War as the central authority charged with preventing sexual assault in the military and facilitating recovery for warfighters. SAPRO's mission is to provide unparalleled warfighter support, advocacy, and recovery assistance - anytime, anywhere. SAPRO envisions a military free from sexual assault. SAPRO collaborates with the Military Services and civilian organizations to develop and implement innovative prevention and response policies, programs, and best practices. SAPRO's efforts are aligned with the National Defense Strategy and informed by DoD’s SAPR Strategy, the Prevention Plan of Action, and relevant guiding policies.

THE SAPRO SEAL

DESCRIPTION
On a dark blue disc a gold laurel wreath superimposed by three white Doric Greek columns with silver gray details on a base of three steps and on top of the column capitals a white lintel. Centered upon the columns is a gold pentagon, voided of the field and interlaced with a teal awareness ribbon; all enclosed by a white designation band, edged gold, inscribed “SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION AND RESPONSE” around the top and “DEPARTMENT OF WAR” around the bottom, separated by a disc on either side, all teal.

SYMBOLISM
A teal awareness ribbon intertwined with the Pentagon highlights the Department’s commitment to “Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR).” SAPRO works jointly with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force programs to prevent sexual assault and provide world class care to victims. Gold is emblematic of excellence and high ideals. The gold laurel branches are illustrative of the Department’s commitment to partnering with the Services to reach our goals. The three columns represent the three program elements of prevention, victim care, and system accountability. The Old Glory Blue background is associated with the national colors, representing all five of the Armed Services. Blue is symbolic of loyalty, reliability, and trustworthiness.

SAPRO 20th Anniversary

SAPRO designed a special edition of the seal to commemorate SAPRO’s history of victim support and prevention. In October 2004, the Department established the Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response to serve as a single point of accountability for sexual assault policy. In October 2005, the task force transitioned to SAPRO.


	OUR MISSION & HISTORY SAPRO's mission is to provide unparalleled warfighter support, advocacy, and recovery assistance - anytime, anywhere.

July 2024

The Deputy Secretary of Defense authorizes changes to SAPR policy implementing IRC-SAM recommendations to improve victim care and support and other SAPR program enhancements.
March 2024

VALIANT (Victim Advocates Learning, Innovating, and Networking Together) launches, delivering an online community of practice for the Sexual Assault Response Workforce (SARW).
February 2024

DoD establishes the Sexual Assault Response Workforce (SARW) as a Functional Community as part of Department-wide efforts to standardize and further professionalize SARCs and SAPR VAs.
December 2023

The Military Departments' Offices of Special Trial Counsel (OSTCs) reach full operational capacity, moving prosecutorial discretion out of the chain of command for 13 serious criminal offenses, including sexual assault.
August 2023

DoD establishes the Service Academy Climate Transformation Task Force (CTTF), composed of senior leadership from each Military Department and the DoD, to improve command climate and integrated prevention efforts at the MSAs.
June 2023

CATCH Program Updated: Service members no longer need to make an official sexual assault report to submit a CATCH entry.
June 2023

SAPRO also releases three case management forms for Unrestricted Reports.
December 2022

DoD issues DODI 6400.11, Integrated Primary Prevention Policy for Prevention Workforce and Leaders.
December 2022

The FY23 National Defense Authorization Act removes all remaining prosecutorial authority for sexual assault cases from the chain of command and authorizes DoD to provide its civilian employees the opportunity to make Restricted Reports of sexual assault.
August 2022

DAC-PSM holds its first public meeting.
May 2022

Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness releases Prevention Plan of Action 2.0 (PPoA 2.0).
January 2022

SPARX Connection, an online community of practice, launches for prevention personnel addressing a range of harmful behaviors.
December 2021

The FY22 National Defense Authorization Act reforms the military justice process and establishes the Offices of Special Trial Counsel (OSTCs) to handle sexual assauly cases.
November 2021

SAPRO published changes to SAPR policy to include expanded eligibility for Restricted Reporting and the CATCH Program, as well as increased overnight for safety issues, Expedited Transfers, and retaliation allegations during Case Management Group (CMG) Meetings.
September 2021

DAC-PSM approved to restart following Department-wide review of all advisory committees.
September 2021

DoD releases the IRC-SAM Implementation Roadmap, a strategic plan to implement all of the IRC-SAM recommendations with appropriate modifications to ensure effectiveness.
July 2021

The 90-day Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assauly in the Military (IRC-SAM) releases findings and recommendations.
July 2021

SPARX Knowledge launches, delivering a training and education resource for prevention personnel.
June 2021

DoD releases DoDI 6495.02, Volume 3, focusing on the response to retaliation related to sexual assault.
February 2021

Secretary of Defense establishes the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military (IRC-SAM).
November 2020

DoD establishes the Defense Advisory Committee for the Prevention of Sexual Misconduct (DAC-PSM).
September 2020

DoD issues DoDI 6400.09, Policy on Integrated Primary Prevention of Self-Directed Harm and Prohibited Abuse or Harm.
August 2019

SAPRO launches the CATCH a Serial Offender Program to provide warfighters making a Restricted Report the opportunity to anonymously submit suspect information to help identify serial offenders.
May 2019

Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness releases the Prevention Plan of Action (PPoA), outlining the process, framework, and related oversight to prevent sexual assault in the DoD.
January 2017

DoD releases the Retaliation Prevention and Response Strategy and Implementation Plan to outline how the Department will respond to retaliation to sexual assault reports.
January 2014

Each Military Service operationalizes the Special Victims' Counsel and Victim's Legal Counsel programs and Special Victim Capability of Specially-Trained Prosecutors and Investigators.
May 2013

SAPRO develops and releases the first DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Strategic Plan.
March 2012

DoD launches the Defense Sexual Assault Incident Database (DSAID), a centralized database for recording information on sexual assaults involving members of the DoD community.
February 2012

The Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP) standardizes sexual assault response and creates victim advocacy roles of Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs).
December 2011

DoD introduces Expedited Transfers for sexual assault victims and extends retention of Victim Reports and Sexual Assault Forensic Reports to 50 years.
April 2011

The DoD Self Helpline launches, providing a crisis support service specially designed for members of the DoD community affected by sexual assault.
September 2008

SAPRO releases the first Prevention Strategy.
October 2005

DoD releases DoD Directive 6495.01, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Policy.
October 2005

The Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response transitions to the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO).
June 2005

DoD announces Restricted Reporting option for Service Members.
October 2004

Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld establishes the Joint Task Force for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response as a single point of accountability for sexual assault policy within the DoD.