Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 News
    
        Photos

    Week in Photos

    Air Force TV

    Commentaries

    Features

    Art

    About Us
    
        Air Force Senior Leaders
    
        SECAF

    CSAF

    CMSAF

    Biographies

    Fact Sheets

    SECAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library
    
        CSAF Leadership Library 2022

    CSAF Leadership Library 2021

    CSAF Reading List Pre-2020 Archive
    
        2018 CSAF Reading List

    2017 CSAF Reading List

    2016 CSAF Reading List

    CSAF Leadership Library 2023

    CMSAF Leadership Library

    50 Years of the CMSAF

    Adjunct Professors

    Air Force Strategic Documents

    Arctic Strategy

    Empowered Airmen

    State Licensure Portability

    Careers

    AF Federal Advisory Committees

    AF 75th Anniversary

    Policy Updates

    AF Content Management

    Contact Us

    AF Sites
    
        Site RegistrationU.S. Air Force LogoAir Force

        Policy UpdatesNewsroomReoptimizationBIOGRAPHIESAF Senior Leaders      Interpersonal Violence ReportInterpersonal Violence Report
                        
                        
                        Interpersonal Violence Report. (U.S. Air Force Graphic)
                
                Photo Details /
                        Download Hi-Res

Department of the Air Force releases findings on Interpersonal Violence surveyPublished Nov. 9, 2021
                    
                    
                    Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
            **WASHINGTON (AFNS) --**The Department of the Air Force released findings from a force-wide Interpersonal Violence Task Force Nov. 9, which studied the depth and scope of how Airmen and Guardians are affected by interpersonal violence. The results are available for download**here**.

After the Secretary of the Air Force established the Interpersonal Violence Task Force in 2020, the team examined a broad range of 81 behaviors along what is known as the “Continuum of Harm” to determine if the DAF is keeping Airmen and Guardians safe, and providing needed support after they experience any kind of interpersonal violence.

Over a six-week period in fall 2020, the Task Force used a three-pronged approach to collect information from active duty, Guard, Reserve, and civilian Department of the Air Force members by using a survey, administrative data, and qualitative data. Approximately 68,000 DAF members responded to the survey, which is about 10 percent of the total force. Additionally, 85 personnel participated in focus groups to provide direct feedback.

“Thank you to the brave Airmen and Guardians who entrusted their stories to us. Because of you, we gained vital insight into how we can better protect and support our people, no matter where their experience falls along the spectrum of violence,” said Under Secretary of the Air Force Gina Ortiz Jones.

Of the subset of about 10 percent of Airmen, Guardians, and the Department of the Air Force civilians who responded to the survey, 54 percent indicated they had experienced behaviors consistent with at least one type of interpersonal violence in the past two years. Specifically, 66 percent of the women and 48 percent of the men who responded to the survey reported experiencing some form of interpersonal violence.

Additionally, most survey respondents who identified experiencing these behaviors did not inform someone in their chain of command, or a civilian or military law enforcement officer. Reporting of incidents to an authority, either by the victim or others, ranged from a low of 17 percent for intimate partner violence to a high of 40 percent for hazing.

Survey items also addressed whether respondents experienced any of 81 behaviors across what is commonly known as the “Continuum of Harm” in the two years preceding the survey. On the left side of the continuum, survey questions included behaviors such as “belittled and humiliated me” and “told lewd sexual innuendos or jokes or shared sexual stories.” On the right side, survey questions included behaviors such as “intruded on my privacy by pestering, spying or stalking” and “pushed, shoved, or slammed me against something.”

According to the report, analysis showed that many victims do not report the behaviors, or when they do, they do not believe anything will be done. The report also highlights most victims were not satisfied with support service agencies. On the other hand, command teams generally indicated that they believed they had the resources, training, and authority to address interpersonal violence offenses in their chain of command.

“We clearly have work to do to ensure that interpersonal violence is prevented,” said Secretary of the Air Force**Frank Kendall**. “When it does occur, we need to provide needed support to victims and deal effectively with perpetrators of violence – of any type.”

The Task Force identified a need to organize helping agencies to operate holistically, particularly at the base level, to eliminate confusion and ensure coherent and coordinated support for victims. In response to those findings, Jones announced in September that the DAF was taking steps to create one office of primary responsibility within the department to address domestic violence, harassment, and stalking.

“We are implementing real solutions right now because we know behind all the metrics are actual survivors,” said Jones. “We’re creating a network of service providers for interpersonal violence that eliminates harmful bureaucracy and shields survivors from needlessly sharing their trauma several times before getting the care they need—we need to support our Airmen and Guardians better.”

The Task Force made three major recommendations based on its findings.

- Complete a cross-functional database review to improve data awareness and sharing

- Pursue a one-stop policy for victims of interpersonal violence

- Establish a cross-functional team to examine barriers to reporting

Five other themes emerged during focus groups, which provided recommendations for combatting barriers to reporting.

- Create a culture of accountability

- Develop approachable leadership

- Expand restricted reporting and provide third-party reporting

- Increase education on policies and available resources

- Provide additional training on interpersonal violence

After reviewing the report, Chief of Staff of the Air Force**Gen. CQ Brown, Jr.** thanked Airmen and Guardians for sharing their experiences and acknowledged the need for increased trust.

“One of our top priorities is to create a safe environment free from interpersonal violence. It was essential to hear from our Airmen, Guardians and family members so we can ensure we understand how they are being cared for after experiencing interpersonal violence,” said Brown. “Going forward, we need to build trust so reports can occur and all get the kind of help they need.”

The Chief of Space Operations echoed the need to improve support for Airmen and Guardians.

“We must ensure our Guardians and Airmen have the resources and leadership necessary to make them feel safe and supported when they report all types of interpersonal violence,” said**Gen. John “Jay” Raymond,**Chief of Space Operations. “Early identification and support are key to mission and family readiness.”

In response to the findings in the report, the DAF Special Victims’ Counsel program instituted a pilot program to expand legal services and representation available to Airmen and Guardians who have experienced interpersonal violence. Additionally, the DAF is taking steps to institutionalize a “warm hand off,” or “No Wrong Door” policy, to address sexual assault, domestic violence, harassment and stalking. This concept ensures anyone seeking help receives a warm hand off between helping agencies as the right support and guidance within our organization is determined. Supportive service agencies will also ensure victims and their families have support from initial reporting through resolution and post-care.

The Secretary of Defense’s Independent Review Commission (IRC) on Sexual Assault in the Military, which stood up after the DAF Interpersonal Violence Task Force, incorporated many of the findings and recommendations of the Task Force into its final report. The IRC report was released Sept. 22 and is available**here**.AFWN 



USAF 



AF 



Air Force 



survey 



results 



interpersonal violence 



readiness 



SecAF 



Secretary of the Air Force 



safety 



Frank Kendall 



interpersonal violence task force 



CSAF 



Air Force Chief of Staff 



Gen. CQ Brown Jr.

Related Links
        Findings of the Interpersonal Violence Task Force Featured News
        Senior Leader Priorities
                DAF leaders talk budget, reoptimizing the force
                    
                    DAF leaders speak at National Character and Leadership Symposium
                    
                    DAF members recognized during BEYA STEM awards
                    
                    DAF senior enlisted advisors discuss Airmen, Guardians in the fight
                    
                    SecAF Kendall AFA Warfare Symposium Q&A: Reoptimizing for Great Power CompetitionInnovation
                AFWERX director discusses role of tech startups, quick innovation in Great Power Competition
                    
                    DAF delivers lethality at the speed of data during Project Convergence Capstone 4
                    
                    DAF welcomes industry partners to HQ development program
                    
                    DAF announces Spark Tank 2024 finalists
                    
                    Chief Digital, Artificial Intelligence Office to host hackathon in HawaiiMAJCOM News
                Safety enterprise announces new mission, vision, goals in 2024 strategic plan
                    
                    Air Combat Command welcomes new commander
                    
                    USAFE-AFAFRICA commander discusses Integrated Air, Missile Defense during Munich Security Conference
                    
                    Flosi to AFMC family: Embrace change, make every day count
                    
                    AMC rises to increasing global tension
 Quick Links
AccessibilityContact UsEqual OpportunityFOIA | Privacy | Section 508Information QualityInspector GeneralJAG Court-Martial DocketLink DisclaimerNo FEAR ActOpen GovernmentOSI Tip LinePlain LanguageQuestionsResilienceRSSSite MapVeterans Crisis LineCareers
Join the Air ForceAir Force BenefitsAir Force CareersAir Force ReserveAir National GuardCivilian ServiceConnect
            Get Social with Us
            
            Official United States Air Force Website
    Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil