The Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies was established on September 23, 2004, pursuant to Section 526 of Public Law 108-136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Congress directed the Task Force to assess and make recommendations concerning how the Departments of the Army and the Navy may more effectively address sexual harassment and assault at the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy. The Task Force consists of six members from the four branches of the Armed Forces and six members from the civilian community.

The Task Force on Sexual Harassment and Violence at the Military Service Academies was established on September 23, 2004, pursuant to Section 526 of Public Law 108-136, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2004. Congress directed the Task Force to assess and make recommendations concerning how the Departments of the Army and the Navy may more effectively address sexual harassment and assault at the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy. The Task Force consists of six members from the four branches of the Armed Forces and six members from the civilian community.

1. Introduction -- 2. Confidentiality: more than a victim's issue -- 3. Service academy culture: the real challenge -- 4. Overview of sexual harassment and assault resources at the academies -- 5. Task force findings and recommendations.

Not later than 12 months after the date on which all members of the task force have been appointed, the task force shall submit to the Secretary of Defense a report recommending ways by which the Department of Defense and the Department of the Army and the Department of the Navy may more effectively address matters relating to sexual harassment and violence at the United States Military Academy and the United States Naval Academy, respectively. The report shall include an assessment of, and recommendations (including any recommended changes in law) for measures to improve, with respect to sexual harassment and violence at those academies, the following: (1) Victims' safety programs. (2) Offender accountability. (3) Effective prevention of sexual harassment and violence. (4) Collaboration among military organizations with responsibility or jurisdiction with respect to sexual harassment and violence. (5) Coordination between military and civilian communities, including local support organizations, with respect to sexual harassment and violence. (6) Coordination between military and civilian communities, including civilian law enforcement relating to acts of sexual harassment and violence. (7) Data collection and case management and tracking. (8) Curricula and training, including standard training programs for cadets at the United States Military Academy and midshipmen at the United States Naval Academy and for permanent personnel assigned to those academies. (9) Responses to sexual harassment and violence at those academies, including standard guidelines. (10) Other issues identified by the task force relating to sexual harassment and violence at those academies.

Incidents of sexual harassment and assault contradict the academies' core values to treat all with dignity and respect. Yet, since 2003, each of the Department of Defense (DOD) academies and the Coast Guard Academy has experienced at least one incident. In 2003, Congress directed DOD to establish programs and to submit annual reports, and although not required, the Coast Guard Academy, within the Department of Homeland Security, has taken similar action. GAO was asked to review sexual harassment and assault programs at the academies. This report evaluates (1) the academies' programs to prevent, respond to, and resolve sexual harassment and assault cases; (2) the academies' visibility over sexual harassment and assault incidents; and (3) DOD and Coast Guard oversight of their academies' efforts. GAO analyzed data for program years 2003 through 2006, reviewed requirements, met with service and academy officials, and interviewed randomly selected students at each academy. GAO suggests that Congress consider requiring the Coast Guard Academy to submit data for DOD's annual report and to participate in assessments methodologically comparable to those administered by DOD. GAO is also making recommendations to DOD and the Coast Guard to improve oversight of sexual assault and harassment at their academies. Both agencies concurred or partially concurred with GAO's recommendations.