Unclear guidance leads US Navy to pause sexual assault training programs

The US Navy has suspended its sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) training indefinitely as it works to align with recent executive orders, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.

While the SAPR program remains operational, and victims are still encouraged to report incidents and seek assistance, the annual sexual assault prevention training for Navy personnel, as well as the training of advocates who assist victims through the treatment and legal processes, has been halted with no set date for resumption, Caliber.Az reports, citing the American military portal Defense One.

A Navy spokesperson stated that the service is focused on executing the directives outlined in the President’s executive orders, ensuring they are carried out efficiently and in line with national security priorities. However, they declined to directly comment on the pause in SAPR training.

This move follows a series of executive orders signed by President Donald Trump aimed at scaling back diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives and removing the word "gender" from military language, replacing it with "sex." In response, the military services have been reviewing all training materials, policies, and websites to ensure they comply with the new directives. This process, however, has created confusion and led to inconsistent implementation across commands due to the lack of clear guidance.

For example, on January 24, Military.com reported that the Army briefly removed its sexual harassment and assault prevention policy from its website while working to eliminate DEI-related content, though the policy was later reinstated.

The Department of Defense's SAPR program was originally established in 2005 under the direction of Congress and then-Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. It included the development of training and certification programs for Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARC) and SAPR victim advocates.

Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., expressed concern over the pause in SAPR training, calling the move “extremely alarming.” Gillibrand, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, has long advocated for reforms to combat sexual assault in the military. She emphasized that bipartisan efforts to address sexual assault in the ranks have led to significant changes, and any pause in these initiatives is unacceptable. She has since reached out to the Navy for clarification.

By Tamilla Hasanova