National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence

The Military’s Response to Domestic and Sexual Violence



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Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence

The National Center's Executive Director, Debby Tucker, served as co-chair of the U.S. Department of Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence (DTFDV). The Task Force examined the responses to both offenders and victims, made recommendations for improvement of systems and collaboration with civilian groups, and reported annually to Congress. One Congressional achievement is the passage of the Armed Forces Domestic Security Act, by Representative Robin Hayes, (R-NC), who in just three months ensured full faith and credit enforcement of protection orders issued by civilian courts on military lands.

While the DTFDV was a three-year project (2001-2003), the U.S. Department of Defense and Congress are continually conferring as they implement the recommendations of the Task Force. In addition, the National Center is collaborating with numerous organizations across the country to implement the Task Force's training recommendations for military law enforcement, chaplains, Family Advocacy Staff, JAG officers, and command staff.

Domestic Violence, Paul Wolfowitz, U.S. Department of Defense,
November 19, 2001

Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence Reports – 2001, 2002, 2003
and Report Recommendations/Response/Status Matrix

Defense Task Force on Domestic Violence Strategic Plan

Task Force on the Care of Victims of Sexual Assault

In the spring of 2004, Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld called for a task force to report to him about sexual assault in the military. The Task Force on the Care of Victims of Sexual Assault (TFCVSA) was chaired by Ellen P. Embrey and was composed of eight members, eight full-time members: six women and two men. There were four active-duty military men and women, and four civilians. And they represented representatives from the Office of the Secretary of Defense, the military departments and the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The TFCVSA was established on February 13, 2004 and had 90 days to issues its findings. There has been significant activity starting with the Task Force issuing its report and recommendations, policy initiatives and other work to implement the recommendations.

TFCVSA Hot Line 800/497-6261 (9:00 am – 9:00 pm, EST, M-F)

Task Force Report on the Care of Victims of Sexual Assault

Sexual Assault Prevention and Response, Donald Rumsfeld, U.S. Department of Defense. May 3, 2005.

Defense Department Briefing on Task Force Report on Care of Victims of Sexual Assault

Military / Civilian Coordinated Community Response to Domestic Violence Demonstration Project

The Military / Civilian Coordinated Community Response Demonstration Project was a collaborative effort to create guidelines to coordinate the response of civilian and military agencies in domestic violence cases involving military personnel. The project had two demonstration sites: Jacksonville, FL, and its two Naval stations: JAX and Mayport, and the Army’s Fort Campbell with the surrounding communities of Clarksville, TN and Hopkinsville, KY.

Continuum of Caring: Community Resource Clusters, Coordinated Community Response Demonstration Project, Fort Campbell Army Installation with Christian County, KY and Montgomery County, TN: 2006; adapted from The Community Audit: A Resource for Battered Women's Advocates, Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence, Harrisburg, PA: 1997.

Collaborating for Safety: Coordinating the Military and Civilian Response to Domestic Violence Elements and Tools (scroll down) by Jane M. Sadusky, provides an overview of the processes used in the implementation of the OVW funded Military / Civilian Coordinated Community Response Demonstration Project. The goal of this project was to create guidelines for coordinating the response of civilian and military agencies to domestic violence cases involving military personnel that enhance victim safety and autonomy, effectively hold perpetrators accountable for ending their violence, and provide safety and support to children exposed to violence in these families.

The Battered Women’s Justice Project (BWJP), Minneapolis, MN, managed the entire project and subcontracted with the National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence to assist with implementation. BWJP’s Connie Sponsler-Garcia coordinated the Jacksonville effort, while Debby Tucker of the National Center coordinated the Fort Campbell effort. The project was funded by the Office on Violence Against Women and the U.S. Department of Defense.

Violence Against Women Act IV: Background for Military Committee

In 2009, the National Task Force to End Sexual and Domestic Violence Against Women has begun working on draft content for the Violence Against Women Act reauthorization. For a list of working committees and to contact committee conveners visit www.vawataskforce.org (scroll down). The Military Committee is beginning its work by reviewing the following documents developed in 2005 for relevancy in addressing current concerns.

Suggestions for the Military Section of VAWA 2005

Enhanced Services for Military Victims of Domestic and Sexual Violence, Summary January 2005

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