The U.S. Army will host the 2023 National Discussion on Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault at America’s Colleges, Universities and Military Service Academies at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point on Tuesday, Oct. 24.
“Our commitment — together with the Navy, Air Force, Space Force, and Marine Corps — to collaborate with colleges and universities signifies our dedication to fostering a network of senior leaders, experts, and students,” said Secretary of the Army Christine Wormuth. “This collective effort aims to maintain an ongoing dialogue and action plan geared toward the shared goal of reducing instances of sexual assault and harassment in higher education. By working together, we can create a brighter and safer future for all students and service members.”
Since its inauguration in 2019, when the U.S. Naval Academy hosted the first national discussion with the Secretaries of the Army, Navy and Air Force, this event has fostered critical conversations, policy advancements, and cultural shifts concerning sexual harassment and assault within educational institutions nationwide. This year’s event theme is “Empowering Student Communities to Cultivate Healthy Climates,” and will offer virtual and in person sessions. During the event, educators, military leaders, and community advocates will participate in panel discussions, workshops, and collaborative sessions to explore strategies to cultivate safer, more respectful collegiate communities.
The national discussion unites experts and leaders from public and private educational institutions. Its goal is to explore healthy climates as a foundation for preventing sexual assault and sexual harassment in academic environments.
These discussions seek to empower students and foster positive peer influence to reduce incidents of sexual assault and harassment by encouraging collaboration and dialogue among diverse stakeholders to advance prevention efforts.
About National Discussion 2023:
The national discussion is hosted annually by the Department of Defense’s military service academies and supports the DoD’s mission to cultivate healthy climates aimed at preventing and responding to sexual harassment and sexual assault.
About West Point:
The U.S. Military Academy at West Point is a four-year, co-educational, federal, liberal arts college located 50 miles north of New York City. It was founded in 1802 as America’s first college of engineering and continues today as the world’s premier leader-development institution, consistently ranked among top colleges in the country. Its mission remains constant—to educate, train, and inspire the Corps of Cadets so that each graduate is a commissioned leader of character committed to the values of Duty, Honor, Country and prepared for a career of professional excellence and service to the nation as an officer in the U. S. Army
Source: West Point
