Director's Message

Major General Camille M. Nichols

I am truly honored to serve as the Director of the Department of Defense (DoD) Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). I come to this job with the understanding that as long as there is sexual assault in the ranks of our Armed Forces, there is work to be done to provide support to victims and aggressively prevent any future crime.

What is already clear to me is that for most military survivors of this crime, Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Victim Advocates (SAPR VAs) are the lifeline of the SAPR program. As such, I thank each and every one of you for your dedicated support and compassion. Your commitment is paramount to protecting and comforting victims as they move through the process to recovery.

For those of you who have been a victim of this crime, I want you to know that we are working very hard to support your recovery and participation in the military justice system, as well as to ensure that when you make the difficult decision to report, you can do so without being concerned about retaliation. You will be treated with the privacy you desire, the sensitivity you deserve, and the seriousness that this crime demands.

I will draw on your support to continue to strengthen our program with transparency and innovation. We have made progress on preventing and responding to sexual assault, but the job is far from complete. Together, we must continue to work as a team to not only eradicate sexual assault from the military, but also ensure that all who desire to serve may do so in an environment of dignity and respect.

Lastly, I look forward to working with the military and civilian leaders of our military profession to enhance the US military legacy as an honorable, trusted and noble calling.