RESEARCH
DoD SAPRO conducts and reviews both independent and collaborative research to:
 
  • Understand the problem of sexual assault
  • Identify groups that are disproportionately affected
  • Monitor trends over time
  • Develop and evaluate effective prevention and response strategies
  • Improve capacity and inform wide dissemination of effective strategies
  • Identify appropriate audiences and messaging
  • Clearly communicate findings for action
  • Monitor implementation of comprehensive approaches in order to optimize prevention and response systems across the Department of Defense
 Arms of solider member sitting at a desk writing on a notepad  
RESEARCH AGENDA

The FY21-25 DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Research Agenda defines key research priorities to synchronize and focus the Department's research on topics and methods that have the potential to result in short-term and sustained improvements in sexual assault prevention and response in the Armed Forces. The DoD Research Agenda working group identified 10 research priorities after synthesizing multiple gap analyses and subject matter expert insights. The full Research Agenda for FY21-25 can be found here.

     
 

DOD RESEARCH

  
  Prior to 2025, OPA research products used the term "gender" to describe men and women. These groups were defined using survey items and/or administrative data categories for "male" and "female"; therefore, references to gender should be understood to mean "sex."
  • 2022 Service Academy Gender Relations Survey

    The 2022 Service Academy Gender Relations Survey (SAGR) is part of an assessment cycle at the Military Service Academies to provide official prevalence estimates for unwanted sexual contact and military equal opportunity. The 2022 SAGR also assessed sexual assault and sexual harassment reporting and complaint processes and cadet/midshipmen attitudes toward SAPR programs and policies.
     

  • 2021 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Military Members

    The 2021 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Military Members (WGR) informs the DoD’s prevention and response efforts by providing a robust system of surveillance for monitoring the estimated prevalence of gender discrimination, sexual harassment, and sexual assault. The DoD did not conduct the planned survey of the Active component in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The 2021 WGR survey was administered to both the Active and Reserve components simultaneously.
     

  • 2021 QuickCompass of Sexual Assault Response Personnel​

    The 2021 QuickCompass of Sexual Assault Response Personnel (QSAR) provides information to the DoD on sexual assault responders’ training, their access to and relationships with command and other professionals, their perceptions of resources provided to victims, the support they receive in their profession, and their personal wellbeing.
     

  • OPA 2019 Service Academy Gender Relations Focus Groups – Overview Report

    The 2019 Service Academy Gender Relations Focus Groups Overview Report is part of an assessment cycle at the Military Service Academies (MSAs) and was included in the APY18-19 Annual Report on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies.

  
 
  • RAND Corporation: Countering Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment in the U.S. Military (February 2023)This report describes the challenges that have slowed progress toward addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment and provides recommendations for the DoD to reverse that trend. Recommendations include accountability of commanders for the handling of sexual misconduct claims and an enhanced focus on prevention efforts. This report references prevalence data from 2006 through 2018.
     
  • RAND Corporation: Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault in Military Settings (January 2023)
    Sexual assault and sexual harassment have significant associations with post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and substance use disorders among victims. The evidence base around the effects and treatment of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military is limited. Deficiencies must be addressed to better inform the development of targeted policies across the care continuum. This report references data from the 2018 Workplace and Gender Relations Survey of Active Duty Members conducted by the Office of People Analytics.

  • RAND Corporation: Healthy Relationship Approaches to Sexual Assault Prevention: Programs and Strategies for Use Within the U.S. Military (May 2021)
    The healthy relationship approach to sexual assault prevention is an innovative concept that aims to teach individuals the skills they need to create mutual and respectful relationships that leave no room for sexual assault. This guide aims to provide prevention teams and leaders with an overview of a healthy relationship approach to sexual assault prevention. This study utilizes DoD and academic research from 1987 through 2019.
  
  Prior to 2025, OPA research products used the term "gender" to describe men and women. These groups were defined using survey items and/or administrative data categories for "male" and "female"; therefore, references to gender should be understood to mean "sex."