April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month. The Army is enhancing its efforts to ensure the safety and well‑being of our Soldiers, families and Army civilians.
This year the Army's theme for its campaign is "Step Forward. Prevent. Report. Advocate." This campaign reinforces a culture grounded in respect, accountability and trust. When we protect our people, we strengthen our Army.
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel was created specifically to independently handle the prosecution of the most serious criminal offenses which includes all crimes of sexual assault and violence.
These crimes include rape, sexual assault, child pornography, nonconsensual intimate image distribution or broadcasting, indecent exposure of one’s own private areas, engaging in prostitution and substantiated cases of sexual harassment.
According to the DoD fiscal year 2024 annual report on sexual assault in the military, approximately 6.8 percent of active duty women and 1.3 percent of active duty men indicated experiencing at least one past-year incident of unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault.
OSTC partners closely with the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division to ensure that sexual assault and sexual violence offenses are professionally and efficiently investigated. Army CID and OSTC have taken great strides to align with federal law enforcement counterparts, synchronize investigative efforts, and achieve better investigative outcomes. Together our efforts ensure that offenders are held accountable.
While OSTC has independent prosecutorial authority, there is collaboration with commanders and other support services like Sexual Assault Prevention and Response offices to ensure comprehensive support for victims.
Lead Special Trial Counsel Brig. Gen. Christopher A. Kennebeck believes collaboration and communication with investigators, command legal advisors and victims of crime is an essential factor in successfully prosecuting these cases.
“An effective criminal justice system requires coordinated effort among these stakeholders, and that collaboration leads to a more just, timely and efficient disposition of offenses,” he said.
Being a compassionate ally and link to critical resources are goals of OSTC’s Special Victim Liaisons who assist victims of sexual violence and other crimes.
Working closely with prosecutors at OSTC's 28 field offices, SVLs are civilian experts responsible for establishing and maintaining open lines of communication with victims, ensuring they are informed, engaged, and have the resources they need to navigate the military justice system.
There are many resources available for victims of sexual assault and violence:
Army Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention Program: https://www.armyresilience.army.mil/sharp/index.html
DOW Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office: https://www.sapr.mil/
Military OneSource Counseling: https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-counseling/#:~:text=Get%20personalized%20support.,at%20800%2D342%2D9647
Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division: http://www.p3tips.com/armycid.
The Department of Veterans Affairs provides a list of ways everyone can help spread the word in their own community. This list can be found at: https://usg01.safelinks.protection.office365.us/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mentalhealth.va.gov%2Fsaapm%2Findex.asp&data=05%7C02%7Cmichelle.m.madej.civ%40army.mil%7C32ef015a9d7e4a1212db08de7925d3bd%7Cfae6d70f954b481192b60530d6f84c43%7C0%7C0%7C639081400523125032%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=bfjnKVlhZX3aXazXkunGBoGURD4ngWKHDEadsNOSAN8%3D&reserved=0.
Other ways to help spread awareness and support is by wearing teal on April 1 and Denim on International Denim Day April 29: https://denimday.org/why-denim.
The Army Office of Special Trial Counsel is comprised of specially trained military lawyers, legal professionals and support staff responsible for the expert and independent prosecution of murder, sexual assault, domestic violence, child abuse, kidnapping and other serious criminal offenses. Headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Va., OSTC has eight regional headquarters that oversee 28 field offices located across the country to include Europe and Korea. For more information visit https://www.army.mil/ostc.
| Date Taken: | 04.01.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 04.01.2026 12:15 |
| Story ID: | 561743 |
| Location: | FORT BELVOIR, VIRGINIA, US |
| Web Views: | 30 |
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This work, Army Office of Special Trial Counsel Recognizes Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, by Michelle McCaskill, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
