Navy chaplains stood down in early July to receive training on new sexual assault prevention and response reforms, according to a Navy administration message.
According to a Navy memo, released on July 2, all chaplains went through the stand down, which took place between July 8 and 11, depending on chaplains’ stations.
The training done during the stand down focused on reforms to military justice, including those that affected reporting requirements and victims’ rights, a Navy spokesperson told USNI News in an email.
“Navy Chaplains provide a vital service to SAPR Program Sexual Assault Response Coordinators (SARCs) and SAPR Victim Advocates (VAs) through comprehensive support of victims who may desire spiritual support and/or assistance as they navigate the military medical and justice processes following a sexual assault,” the spokesperson said in the email. “This training is crucial in ensuring Chaplains are well-equipped to handle these sensitive issues effectively.”
Training also focused on updated policies about chaplain confidentiality with a focus on making sure the chaplains were clear about the changes.
“The United States Navy Chaplain Corps is committed to confidentiality, which is essential for building trust and providing a safe space for service members,” the spokesperson said.
Previous years’ National Defense Authorization Acts mandated a number of military justice reforms, but the largest change went into effect in December, with a special trial counsel taking over all cases involving sexual assault, murder and intimate partner violence, USNI News previously reported. The change was introduced in the Fiscal Year 2022 NDAA.
