- Section 702 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019: “Pilot program on treatment of members of the Armed Forces for posttraumatic stress disorder related to sexual trauma”
Section 702 states that the Secretary of Defense may create a pilot program to assess the feasibility and advisability of using intensive outpatient programs (IOP) to treat members of the Armed Forces suffering from posttraumatic stress disorder resulting from military sexual trauma, including treatment for substance abuse, anxiety, depression, and other issues related to such conditions. PHCoE is lead for the development and deployment of an evidence-based demonstration pilot to assess the feasibility and advisability of using IOP programs for the treatment of service members experiencing psychological sequelae resulting from sexual assault. -
Department of Defense 2019-2023 Prevention Plan of Action
The Sexual Assault and Prevention Response Office (SAPRO) released the 2019-2023 Prevention Plan of Action (PPoA) in May 2019 to guide DoD’s prevention efforts throughout the uniformed services. The PPoA identifies the key military stakeholders and resources that make up the system needed to improved prevention efforts and lays the foundation for concrete action to address sexual assault in the military environment. - Section 707 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2018: “Expansion of sexual trauma counseling and treatment for members of the reserve components”
Section 707 extends access to counseling for sexual trauma to include members of the National Guard and reserve components. This allows reservists who are geographically remote from military medical treatment facilities to receive supportive counseling through Veteran Centers nationwide. PHCoE provides subject matter expertise to senior leadership regarding the impact and implementation. - Section 402 of the Veterans Access, Choice, and Accountability Act of 2014: “Provision of Counseling and Treatment for Sexual Trauma by the Department of Veterans Affairs to Members of the Armed Forces”
Section 402 amended current law to authorize the VA, in consultation with the DoD, to provide sexual assault-related counseling and care for sexual trauma to members of the Armed Forces (including members of the National Guard and reserves) on active duty without the need for a referral. PHCoE is currently leading the DoD effort in supporting implementation of this act. -
Section 538 of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016: “Improved DoD Prevention and Response to Sexual Assaults in which the Victim is a Male Member of the Armed Forces”
PHCoE co-lead the development of the medical response in support of this section of the NDAA. The Department of Defense Plan to Prevent and Respond to Sexual Assault of Military Men, released by SAPRO in December 2016, includes four objectives to improve DoD prevention and response to sexual assaults in which the victim is a male member of the Armed Forces:- Develop a unified communications plan tailored to men across the DoD to encourage male reporting.
- Improve service member understanding of sexual assault against men to prevent the crime and increase male engagement with the response system.
- Ensure that existing support services meet the needs of male survivors.
- Develop metrics to measure progress.
Psychological Health Center of Excellence
(formerly Deployment Health Clinical Center)
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