The Thirty-Eighth Public Meeting of the Defense Advisory Committee on Investigation, Prosecution, and Defense of Sexual Assault in the Armed Forces will be held on December 3-4, 2024.

Arlington, VA - The thirty-eighth 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 December 3-4, 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, sexual assault, and other sexual misconduct involving members of the Armed Forces based on its review of such cases on an ongoing basis.

On Day 1, the Committee conducted deliberations on the DAC-IPAD draft report regarding provisions for enforcing victims’ rights in Article 6b, UCMJ. Next, the Committee will hear from healthcare experts concerning mental health treatment practices and the Military Rule of Evidence 513, psychotherapist-patient privilege. After a lunch break, the Committee will hear perspectives from military justice experts on a range of issues under consideration by the DAC-IPAD. For the last session, the Committee will hear from civilian practitioners on best practices for a holistic approach to Conviction Integrity Units. Day 2 began with the Committee conducting deliberations on the recent DAC-IPAD site visits. Following a break, the Committee will hear comments from the public, and prior to adjournment, receive updates from the DAC-IPAD subcommittees.

 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.