About Us
The Defense Advisory Committee on the Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces (DAC-IPAD) was established by the Secretary of Defense under the Carl Levin and Howard P. “Buck” McKeon National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015. Since its inception, DAC-IPAD has played a crucial role in reforming military justice related to sexual assault, ensuring fairness for victims and the accused, enhancing access to justice, and promoting transparency.
Our Key Work
- Case Reviews: Conducted a comprehensive review of 1,904 criminal cases involving adult sexual offenses, highlighting the need for better criteria for referring cases to trial.
- Prosecution Standards: Recommended and succeeded in establishing uniform prosecution standards, now adopted by the Secretary of Defense, to ensure fair and consistent handling of cases.
- Racial and Ethnic Disparities: Reviewed data on racial and ethnic disparities in military justice, identifying persistent issues in data collection and representation.
Our Team
Our committee is composed of distinguished professionals, including current and former judges, prosecutors, defense attorneys, criminologists, forensic experts, and legal scholars. Together, we leverage our expertise to advise Congress and the Department of Defense on handling sexual misconduct cases within the Armed Forces.
Establishing Documents