The Twenty-Third Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces was held on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 and Wednesday, June 22, 2022.

Arlington, VA - The twenty-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 Tuesday, June 21, 20220, from 9:25 a.m. to 4:45 p.m., and Wednesday, June 22, 2022, from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.  

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.

On the first day of the meeting, the Committee discussed its Terms of Reference, establishing subcommittees, and its current statutory and assigned tasks. The Committee then received a briefing on appellate decisions in military sexual assault cases. The Committee next received an update on data, followed by a briefing on the Joint Explanatory Statement, National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020. In the afternoon, the Committee heard from state and federal prosecutors on best practices for establishing an independent prosecutorial office. This was followed by a Committee discussion about best practices. At the last session of the day, the Committee received an overview of the Report on Tour Lengths and Rating Chain Structure for Services' Special Victims' Counsel/Victims' Legal Counsel Programs. On the second day of the meeting, the Committee received a briefing on the Rules for Courts-Martial amendment process. Next the Committee hosted a panel of Military Department representatives to discuss the Offices of Special Trial Counsel. The Committee concluded with a strategic planning discussion. 

The DAC-IPAD welcomes written input from the public on these 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. Oral statements from the public will be permitted, though the number and length of such oral statements may be limited based on the time available and the number of such requests. Oral presentations by members of the public will be permitted from 2:30 p.m. – 3:00 p.m. EST on June 22, 2022.

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.