What is a key objective of the Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program?

One of the key objectives of the Army Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Program is to create an environment for unrestricted reporting. This means ensuring that soldiers feel safe and supported when coming forward to report incidents of sexual assault, without fear of retaliation or stigma. The emphasis on unrestricted reporting aims to enhance trust in the reporting process and encourages individuals to seek help and hold offenders accountable—ultimately fostering a culture where sexual assault is not tolerated. This objective is pivotal for instituting a proactive approach in addressing these serious issues within the Army, focusing not only on prevention but also on support for victims.

The other options do not align with the primary goals of the program: implementing strict penalties for offenders, while important for justice, does not address the initial need for individuals to feel comfortable coming forward. A focus solely on legal proceedings would neglect the broader aspects of prevention and support, and encouraging soldiers to ignore minor incidents undermines the seriousness of all forms of harassment and assault, potentially allowing a culture of misconduct to persist.