Leading experts from across the nation will join Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Donald Remy, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Lynn Rosenthal, chair of the Independent Review Commission on Sexual Assault in the Military, and Rosie Hidalgo, senior advisor on gender based violence and special assistant to the President Biden, to discuss how to set institutional climate and culture to reduce the prevalence of sexual assault, sexual harassment and related undesirable behavior.
"Across the Department of Defense, we are working hard to ensure healthy practices in our military workplaces," said Dr. Kathleen Hicks, Deputy Secretary of Defense. "This means promoting inclusive environments across units and offices, while targeting those risk factors and negative cultures that lead to sexual assault, harassment, and other readiness impacting behaviors."
This event builds upon prior discussions about the need to address these challenges at the first signs of disrespect to ultimately help leaders develop the skills needed to prevent violence and build healthy climates.
"One of my guiding principles for the Department of the Navy is to build a culture of warfighting excellence built on leadership, dignity, and respect," said Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro. "That includes preventing and effectively addressing sexual assault and sexual harassment head-on. Events like this are a catalyst for change in institutions that lead to changes in climate and culture. These necessary changes will drive leadership development and enforce standards that ensure the safety of those entrusted to our care-whether in the military or places of higher education."
Institutional climate plays a role in facilitating and enabling harassment. Research shows that sexual assault and sexual harassment often take place in environments where other unacceptable behaviors are tolerated. The National Discussion will promote prevention efforts aimed at building critical prevention skills, fostering healthy climates and developing and selecting proactive leaders.
"A thriving institution is one that prioritizes diversity, respect and accountability," said Howard University President Wayne A. I. Frederick. "The urgency to address sexual assault and sexual harassment is felt by both academia and the military. Together, we can increase innovation, share solutions and engage on a national level to build better leaders."
These on-going conversations support information exchange on the future of violence prevention, the intersection between diversity, inclusion and innovation, and the critical skills students and service members need to create healthy climates within their institutions.
"Our military and higher education communities have much to learn from one another in preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment," said Hicks. "Discussions like this benefit all of us."
This national discussion builds upon the success of both regional and national discussions held over the last four years.
