The Thirty-Second Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces was held on Tuesday, December 5th and Wednesday, December 6th, 2023.

Arlington, VA - The thirty-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 Tuesday, December 5th, 2023 from 2:40 p.m. to 4:45 p.m. and Wednesday, December 6th, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 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 Tuesday, December 5th, the Committee deliberated on their Reports on Randomizing Court-Martial Panel Member Selection and on Section 549B, Fiscal Year 2023 National Defense Authorization Act, regarding Victim Access to Information.  On the morning of Wednesday, December 6th, the Committee received a briefing on the Panel Selection Study from Dr. William Wells, Professor, Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology, Sam Houston State University, and a briefing on performance metrics for the Office of Special Trial Counsel from the professional staff. In the afternoon, the Committee received updates from the Special Projects Subcommittee and Policy Subcommittee.  Prior to adjournment, the Committee heard public comment and conducted a meeting wrap-up and preview of its next public meeting. 

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.