QuickCompass of Sexual Assault Responders

About the Survey

The QuickCompass of Sexual Assault Responders (QSAR) is a Congressionally mandated survey and provides insights to Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) and Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) personnel at military installations worldwide. This survey is designed to gauge how effectively responders are trained for their position and their perceptions of how well the SAPR/SHARP program is supported and executed. Results from these surveys can be used to identify policies, community resources, and support networks that are most effective in aiding sexual assault responders in their respective positions.

This survey is conducted every three years and the next survey is scheduled for 2024.

Previous Results

Frequently Asked Questions

The population of interest for this survey consists of Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs), Victim Advocates (VAs), Uniformed Victim Advocates (UVAs), Special Victims’ Counsels (SVCs), and Victims’ Legal Counsels (VLCs). DoD Instruction (DoDI) 6495.02, Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Program Procedures, defines these specialized positions. Their broad purpose is to provide dedicated support to survivors of sexual assault, providing guidance and advocacy for survivors in gaining the medical, psychological, and legal services to which they are entitled. They provide support from initial response throughout the care and recovery process.

Section 539D, National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year (FY) 2021, specified that not later than June 30, 2021, the Secretary of Defense shall conduct a survey regarding the ability of SARCs and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response VAs to perform their duties; the QSAR fulfills this requirement. It is critical to the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) and Service-level Sexual Harassment and Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) and SAPR officials to understand how responders are trained for their position and their perceptions of how well their program is supported and executed. Because the SAPR/SHARP program is now a few years old, regular assessment of the opinions of responders is critical to understanding both their view of the resources required to run the program and how well they are supporting the objectives of the program. As the providers of dedicated support to survivors of sexual assault, SARCs, VAs, UVAs, SVCs, and VLCs have unique perspectives on program effectiveness that is tapped by the QSAR.

Potential SARC, VA, and UVA respondents are identified through the Department of Defense Sexual Assault Advocate Certification Program (D-SAACP). Potential SVC and VLC respondents are identified through Service-level SAPR/SHARP offices. The QSAR is typically a census of all SARCs, VAs, UVAs, SVCs, and VLCs who were active duty, National Guard/Reserve members, or DoD civilian employees, in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, Coast Guard, or DoD agencies.