SAPRO Structure

The Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) serves as the Department's single point of authority for sexual assault policy and provides oversight to ensure that each of the Service's programs complies with DoD policy.

  • Appointment of Director. There shall be a Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, who shall be appointed from among general or flag officers of the Armed Forces or employees of the Department of Defense in a comparable Senior Executive Service  position.

  • Duties of Director. The Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office shall:
    • Oversee implementation of the comprehensive policy for the Department of Defense sexual assault prevention and response program;
    • Serve as the single point of authority, accountability, and oversight for the sexual assault prevention and response program;
    • Provide oversight to ensure that the military departments comply with the sexual assault prevention and response program; and
    • Collect and maintain data of the military departments on sexual assault in accordance with subsection (e);

      (e) Data Collection and Maintenance Metrics. In carrying out the requirements of subsection (b)(4), the Director of the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office shall develop metrics to measure the effectiveness of, and compliance with, training and awareness objectives of the military departments on sexual assault prevention and response.

    • Act as liaison between the Department of Defense and other Federal and State agencies on programs and efforts relating to sexual assault prevention and response; and
    • Oversee development of strategic program guidance and joint planning objectives for resources in support of the sexual assault prevention and response program, and make recommendations on modifications to policy, law, and regulations needed to ensure the continuing availability of such resources.

SAPRO has established the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Integrated Product Team (SAPR IPT) to advise the Secretary of Defense, through the Under Secretary for Personnel and Readiness, on policies, program, and practices across the full range of SAPR issues involving members of the Armed Forces.

SAPR IPT shall include:

  • Director of SAPRO. The Director shall serve as the chair.
  • Deputy Assistant Secretaries for Manpower and Reserve Affairs of the Department of the Army
  • Director, Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program.
  • A senior representative of the Department of the Navy SAPRO.
  • A GO/FO or DoD SES civilian from: the Joint Staff, Manpower and Personnel (J-1); the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Reserve Affairs; the NGB; the Office of the General Counsel, DoD; and the Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Health Affairs.
  • Other DoD Components’ representatives shall be invited to specific SAPR IPT meetings when their expertise is needed to inform and resolve issues being addressed. A senior representative from the Coast Guard shall be an invited guest.
  • The IG DoD shall be authorized to send one or more observers to attend all SAPR IPT meetings in order to monitor and evaluate program performance.

SAPR IPT duties include:

  • Through the chair, advise the Executive Director of Force Resiliency (EDFR), the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel & Readiness (USD P&R), and the Secretary of Defense on SAPR IPT meeting recommendations on policies for sexual assault issues involving persons covered by the SAPR DoDI 6495.02 (all volumes).
  • Serve as the implementation and oversight arm of the DoD SAPR Program.  Coordinate policy and review the DoD’s SAPR policies and programs consistent with SAPR DoDI 6495.02 (all volumes) and the SAPR Directive 6495.01, as necessary. Monitor the progress of program elements and requirements, to include DoD SAPR Strategic Plan tasks, DoDI 6400.09, “DoD Policy on Integrated Primary Prevention of Self-Directed Harm and Prohibited Abuse or Harm” requirements, and NDAA implementation for adult sexual assault related issues.
  • Meet every other month. Ad hoc meetings may be scheduled as necessary at the discretion of the chair. Members are selected and meetings scheduled according to the SAPR IPT Charter.
  • Discuss and analyze broad SAPR issues that may generate targeted topics for Working Groups. Working Groups shall focus on one select issue, be governed by a charter with enumerated goals for which the details will be laid out in individual work plans and be subject to a definitive timeline for the accomplishment of the stated goals. Issues that cannot be resolved by the SAPR IPT or that require higher level decision making shall be sent to the USD(P&R) for resolution.

Source: 10 USC 1561