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Summary of Air Force Sexual Assault Situations, Settings, and Offender Behaviors

Core Content

This report by RAND Project AIR FORCE examines the characteristics, behaviors, and situational contexts of sexual assault offenders within the U.S. Air Force. It is based on a qualitative analysis of 192 Office of Special Investigations (OSI) files and 61 Judge Advocate General's Corps (JA) court records from 2012 and 2013. The study focuses on behaviors and situations that may constitute sexual assault, rather than only those that resulted in convictions. The goal is to inform the Air Force's Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program and improve prevention strategies.

Main Points and Findings

1. Sexual Assault Characteristics and Contexts

• Confusion About Definitions: Many victims and others are unclear about what constitutes sexual assault, especially in cases involving consensual sexual activities or those occurring within intimate relationships.
• Intimate-Partner Sexual Assault: A significant portion of sexual assaults involve intimate partners, including spouses. These cases often include a history of violence or problematic behaviors.
• Alcohol Use: Alcohol is a common factor in sexual assault incidents, both in group settings and in cases where offenders or victims are intoxicated. It can be used to exploit trust or reduce the victim's ability to consent.
• Post-Assault Behavior: Offenders often attempt to minimize or justify their actions through apologies, denials, or efforts to dissuade victims from reporting.

2. Key Risk Factors and Behaviors

• Offenders with a history of violence or other behavioral issues are more likely to perpetrate sexual assault.
• Group socializing, particularly involving heavy or binge drinking, increases the risk of sexual assault.
• Trust in military peer relationships (e.g., safe drinking buddies) can be exploited by offenders.
• Some airmen may be too intoxicated to perceive a lack of consent, raising ethical and legal concerns.

3. Comparison of Domestic and Overseas Cases

• Sexual assault incidents both domestically and overseas often involve alcohol.
• The nature of the incidents and the role of alcohol is similar across these settings.

Recommendations

1. Screening and Removal of At-Risk Individuals

• The Air Force should consider removing airmen who are persistently managed for other forms of violence (e.g., domestic abuse, alcohol misuse) before their behavior escalates.
• Training and values-based education may not be effective for these individuals; instead, early intervention and discharge may be necessary.

2. Targeting High-Risk Activities

• The Air Force should focus on reducing alcohol misuse in group settings, especially during events like 21st birthdays, New Year's Eve, and Saint Patrick's Day.
• Promoting alcohol-free social activities can help reduce opportunities for sexual assault and provide alternative ways for airmen to socialize and relieve stress.

3. Clarifying Sexual Assault Definitions and Consent

• Training should address misconceptions and confusion around what constitutes sexual assault, especially in cases involving consensual activities, marital relationships, or intoxication.
• It should emphasize that consent can be verbal or nonverbal and that it is not acceptable to proceed if it is not given.
• Training should also include guidance on how to ask a partner about their willingness to proceed in uncertain situations.

4. Bystander Intervention and Responsibility

• The Air Force should promote bystander intervention programs to encourage airmen to report incidents and not attempt to resolve them privately.
• Bystander training should be integrated into SAPR programs and focus on real-world scenarios where airmen may encounter sexual assault or its precursors.

5. Coordinating Across Key Stakeholders

• The Air Force should coordinate training and information campaigns between SAPR, ADAPT, and FAP to ensure a comprehensive approach to sexual assault prevention.
• These programs should emphasize the link between sexual assault, alcohol misuse, and intimate-partner violence.
• Training should also educate airmen on the risks of domestic violence and clarify that relationship status does not change the definition of sexual assault.

6. Including Intimate-Partner Sexual Assault in SAPR Tracking

• Intimate-partner sexual assault should be included in SAPR tracking and reporting to ensure a more comprehensive understanding of sexual assault patterns.
• This inclusion can help reduce confusion and stigma around spousal sexual assault and improve data collection and analysis.

Conclusion

The report underscores the importance of understanding the unique contexts and behaviors associated with sexual assault in the Air Force. It emphasizes the need for improved training, better coordination between programs, and the inclusion of all types of sexual assault in tracking and reporting systems. By addressing these issues, the Air Force can better prevent and respond to sexual assault, aligning its efforts with broader military and civilian research on the topic.