The Thirty-Fourth Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces was held on Tuesday, March 12th and Wednesday, March 13th, 2024.

Arlington, VA - The thirty-fourth public meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces ("DAC-IPAD" or "the Committee"), was held on Tuesday, March 12th, 2024 and Wednesday, March 13th, 2024.

The DAC-IPAD was established by the Secretary of Defense in February 2016, in accordance with section 546 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, as amended. The Committee is tasked to advise the Secretary of Defense on the investigation, prosecution, and defense of allegations of rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct involving members of the Armed Forces based on its review of such cases on an ongoing basis.

During the meeting, the Committee received testimony from military justice practitioners on various topics including Military Rule of Evidence 513 litigation, victims’ rights litigation, judicial rulings on evidence in military sexual offense cases, and investigator access to digital evidence. Additionally, there were deliberations on panel sessions, testimony from civilian practitioners, and updates from subcommittees. Prior to adjournment, the Committee heard comments from the public.

The DAC-IPAD welcomes written input from the public on this topics or other issues under its consideration. Written comments must be received by the DAC-IPAD at least five (5) business days prior to the meeting date so that they may be made available to the Committee members for their consideration prior to the meeting. Written comments should be submitted via e-mail to the DAC-IPAD at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Please note that since the DAC-IPAD operates under the provisions of the Federal Advisory Committee Act, as amended, all written comments will be treated as public documents and will be made available for public inspection. The Committee will not receive oral statements from the public at this meeting.

More information about the Committee, including the meeting agenda and materials, is available on its website at http://dacipad.whs.mil. In the event the Office of Personnel Management closes the government due to inclement weather or for any other reason, please consult the website for any changes to public meeting dates or time.

The First Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces was held on January 19, 2017 in Arlington, VA.

Arlington, VA -The first public meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces (“DAC-IPAD” or “the Committee”) was held on Thursday, January 19, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Holiday Inn-Ballston, Grand Ballroom, 4610 Fairfax Drive, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

The Committee was established by the Secretary of Defense in February 2016 as required by section 546 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 and section 537 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. The Committee is tasked to advise the Secretary of Defense on the investigation, prosecution, and defense of allegations of rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct involving members of the Armed Forces based on its review of such cases on an ongoing basis.

At this initial meeting, the Committee received informational presentations on the court-martial process, recent legislation involving sexual assault in the U.S. military, and the two predecessor Department of Defense advisory committees on sexual assault: the Judicial Proceedings Since 2012 Amendments Panel and the Response Systems to Adult Sexual Assault Crimes Panel. Following these briefings, the Committee held a planning session for Committee members to discuss the statutory tasking, topical priorities, and development of the Committee's strategic plan.

The Committee welcomed input from the public on these topics or other issues under its consideration.  Colonel (U.S. Air Force, Retired) Don Christensen, Protect Our Defenders provided a verbal comment.  Requests to make public comment, submission of written comments or materials, and any other inquiries may be directed to Ms. Julie Carson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (703) 693-3849.

This meeting was open to the public. Seating for the meeting was limited and available on a first-come basis.

More information about the Committee, including a registration form for providing public comment, meeting agenda, and materials for the meeting, is available on the DAC-IPAD’s website at http://dacipad.whs.mil. In the event the Office of Personnel Management closes the government due to inclement weather or for any other reason, please consult the DAC-IPAD website for any changes to public meeting dates or time.

The Second Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces was held on April 28, 2017 in Arlington, VA.

Arlington, VA -The second public meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces (“DAC-IPAD” or “the Committee”) was held on Friday, April 28, 2017 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m. at the One Liberty Center, 875 N. Randolph Street, Suite 1432, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

The Committee was established by the Secretary of Defense in February 2016 as required by section 546 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015 and section 537 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016. The Committee is tasked to advise the Secretary of Defense on the investigation, prosecution, and defense of allegations of rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct involving members of the Armed Forces based on its review of such cases on an ongoing basis.

At this meeting the Committee received a presentation by members of the criminal law faculty from the U.S. Army Judge Advocate General's Law Center and School on the mechanics of a military sexual assault case.  Next, the Committee received a briefing by Committee member Dr. Cassia Spohn on her military sexual assault case adjudication data analysis, followed by a presentation by Dr. Nathan Galbreath on the sexual assault data collection and policy role of the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.  For the last session, the Committee discussed its strategic plan and next steps.

The Committee welcomed input from the public on these topics or other issues under its consideration.  Requests to make public comment, submission of written comments or materials, and any other inquiries may be directed to Ms. Julie Carson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (703) 693-3849.

This meeting was open to the public. Seating for the meeting was limited and available on a first-come basis.

More information about the Committee, including a registration form for providing public comment, meeting agenda, and materials for the meeting, is available on the DAC-IPAD’s website at http://dacipad.whs.mil. In the event the Office of Personnel Management closes the government due to inclement weather or for any other reason, please consult the DAC-IPAD website for any changes to public meeting dates or time.

The Third Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces was held on July 21, 2017 in Arlington, VA.

Arlington, VA - The third public meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces ("DAC-IPAD" or "the Committee") was held on Friday, July 21, 2017, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. at One Liberty Center, 875 North Randolph Street, Suite 1432, Arlington, Virginia 22203.

The DAC-IPAD was established by the Secretary of Defense in February 2016 in accordance with section 546 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, as amended. The Committee is tasked to advise the Secretary of Defense on the investigation, prosecution, and defense of allegations of rape, forcible sodomy, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct involving members of the Armed Forces based on its review of such cases on an ongoing basis.

At this meeting, the Committee received a presentation on the mechanics of a military sexual assault investigation by officials from the criminal investigation organizations of the Military Services, followed by a Committee strategic planning session.

The Committee welcomes input from the public on these topics or other issues under its consideration.  Requests to make public comment, submission of written comments or materials, and any other inquiries may be directed to Ms. Julie Carson at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (703) 693-3849.

This meeting is open to the public. Seating for the meeting is limited and available on a first-come basis. Visitors must provide government-issued photo identification and pass through metal detector security screening for access to the facility.

More information about the Committee, including the meeting agenda and materials, is available on its website at http://dacipad.whs.mil. In the event the Office of Personnel Management closes the government due to inclement weather or for any other reason, please consult the website for any changes to public meeting dates or time.