Analysis and implications of the omission of offenders in the DoD Care for Victims of Sexual Assault Task Force report.

This note addresses the weaknesses in the Department of Defense (DoD) Care for Victims of Sexual Assault Task Force (CVSATF) Report, released in May 2004. Sound policy and protocol cannot be developed to prevent and to respond to sexual assault in the military if the role of sex offenders is not understood, yet the report excludes information relevant to understanding sex offender behavior and to responsibility. Shortcomings in the CVSATF recommendations to improve military definitions of sexually violent behavior and data collection are summarized, as are limitations in the recommendations for sexual assault prevention strategies. This analysis highlights problems with the DoD CVSATF recommendations to improve offender accountability and secure safety for communities and discusses how the military social climate is prohibitive to facilitating these goals. This note suggests that policy and procedures guided by recommendations that omit information about sex offenders may actually leave communities at continued risk of sexual assault.