Email Communication

Initial Survey E-mail 1: Initial Study Information/Survey Notification

To: Opt-ins from WGR survey, unrestricted reporters from DSAID database

From: Dr. Nate Galbreath, Acting Director, DoD SAPRO

Subject: We Can Do Better

My office is launching the Sexual Violence Support and Experiences Study (SVSES) to gather the voices of those who have experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault in the military. If you have had these experiences, engaged with sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) services, and/or engaged with the military justice process, would you be willing to give us some time to tell us about your experiences?

The SVSES is a confidential and voluntary study that will collect information about Service members’ experiences with military sexual assault or sexual violence support services, perceptions about the military justice process, overall health and well-being, and career progression. To learn more, or to join the study now, go to http://www.sapr.mil/SVSES or text SVSES to _____.

We are committed to protecting the privacy of individuals who participate in the study. Results will only be shared in the aggregate so no one will be able to identify individuals or their responses. The study is also protected by a federal Certificate of Confidentiality, the strongest protection there is for research of a sensitive nature.

Because we know that the healing process takes time, the SVSES is designed to collect information from participants on a continuous basis. There is an initial survey that should take about 30 minutes. Then, participants can provide my office with regular updates and feedback about their experiences through quarterly check-ins that should take no more than 10 minutes.

I respect the courage and willingness of survivors to consider sharing their experiences. Participation in this effort will help us to improve services and make the recovery process better for anyone who needs it. Please consider joining the study by visiting http://www.sapr.mil/SVSES.

Thank you for your service,

Nate Galbreath, PhD, MFS

Acting Director

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO)

Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. It is available 24/7/365. Find out more here: https://www.safehelpline.org/. To verify the authenticity of this survey, OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX, call 1-571-372-1034 or DSN 372-1034. If you have any questions about this survey, please call our Survey Processing Center toll-free at 1-800-881-5307, or e-mail [email protected]. If you do not wish to participate or to receive additional reminders about this survey, you may remove yourself from the mailing list by replying to this message. Be sure to include the words, "Please remove me from this survey's mailing list." If you wish to withdraw your answers after starting this survey, notify the Survey Processing Center. If you decide to opt into text messaging, message frequency will vary, and message and data rates may apply.

Initial Survey E-mail 2: Initial Study Reminder #1

To: Opt-ins from WGR survey, unrestricted reporters from DSAID database

From: Dr. Nate Galbreath, Deputy Director, DoD SAPRO

Subject: Opportunity to Help Survivors

Recently, we invited Service members who have experienced unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault in the military to participate in the Sexual Violence Support and Experiences Study (SVSES). If you have had these experiences, I would like to ask you to be a part of this important effort to improve the military sexual assault response and accountability systems. You have a critical perspective to share in making the recovery process better for anyone who needs it.

To learn more, or to join the study now, go to www.SAPR.mil/SVSES or text SVSES to _____.

We respect your time and your privacy. Results of the study will be reported in a way that does not allow anyone to identify you. The SVSES is also protected by a federal Certificate of Confidentiality, the strongest protection there is for maintaining your privacy.

We know we can learn a great deal from your expert perspective. Please consider participating in the study and help us help survivors.

Thank you for your service,

Nate Galbreath, PhD, MFS

Acting Director

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO)

Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. It is available 24/7/365. Find out more here: https://www.safehelpline.org/. To verify the authenticity of this survey, OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX, call 1-571-372-1034 or DSN 372-1034. If you have any questions about this survey, please call our Survey Processing Center toll-free at 1-800-881-5307, or e-mail [email protected]. If you do not wish to participate or to receive additional reminders about this survey, you may remove yourself from the mailing list by replying to this message. Be sure to include the words, "Please remove me from this survey's mailing list." If you wish to withdraw your answers after starting this survey, notify the Survey Processing Center. If you decide to opt into text messaging, message frequency will vary, and message and data rates may apply.

Initial Survey E-mail 3: Initial Study Reminder #2 –Final Reminder

To: Opt-ins from WGR survey, unrestricted reporters from DSAID database

From: Dr. Nate Galbreath, Deputy Director, DoD SAPRO

Subject: Final Reminder - Protecting Our People

If you have already joined the new Sexual Violence Support and Experiences Study (SVSES), thank you. If not, there’s still time to join. The SVSES provides Service members a way to share their experiences and perspectives on the military sexual assault response and justice systems.

To learn more, or to join the study now, go to www.SAPR.mil/SVSES or text SVSES to _____.

We value your time and respect your right to privacy. There is an initial survey that should take no more than 30 minutes. Then, participants can provide my office with regular updates and feedback about their experiences through quarterly check-ins that should take no more than 10 minutes.

The survey and quarterly check-ins will ask about experiences with unwanted sexual contact or sexual assault in the military, use and opinions on support services and the military justice process, and about Service member health and well-being.

We understand that discussing these experiences can be incredibly difficult, which is why we’ve constructed this study to be completely voluntary and confidential. We have committed to protecting your privacy by obtaining a federal Certificate of Confidentiality, the highest level of protection of privacy possible for data collected on sensitive subjects.

The results from the survey will be used to tell us what’s working, what is not working, and to inform program or policy improvements that will impact Service members like you. Help us protect and serve our people by letting us know how we are doing and what more we can do to improve services and make the recovery process better.

Thank you for your service,

Nate Galbreath, PhD, MFS

Acting Director

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO)

Protecting Our People Protects Our Mission

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. It is available 24/7/365. Find out more here: https://www.safehelpline.org/. To verify the authenticity of this survey, OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX, call 1-571-372-1034 or DSN 372-1034. If you have any questions about this survey, please call our Survey Processing Center toll-free at 1-800-881-5307, or e-mail [email protected]. If you do not wish to participate or to receive additional reminders about this survey, you may remove yourself from the mailing list by replying to this message. Be sure to include the words, "Please remove me from this survey's mailing list." If you wish to withdraw your answers after starting this survey, notify the Survey Processing Center. If you decide to opt into text messaging, message frequency will vary, and message and data rates may apply.

Follow-Up E-mail #1: Invitation to Follow-Up Surveys

To: Individuals who completed the initial survey and provided preferred contact

From: Dr. Tanya Banchs, Senior Victim Assistance Advisor, DoD SAPRO

Subject: SVSES Follow Up – Your Voice Matters

My name is Dr. Tanya Banchs, and I’m the senior victim assistance advisor for the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO). I’m e-mailing you to invite you to return to the Sexual Violence Support & Experiences Study (SVSES) and share your progress with us.

This quick follow-up survey should take less than 10 minutes of your time, and you can tell us how things have been going and any changes you’ve experienced over the past three months. There is a free-text journal option at the end of the survey for you to write about your experiences in your own words.

If you’re ready now, please go to [DIRECT SURVEY LINK]. Your ticket number, if you need it, is XXXXXXX

As a reminder, participation in the SVSES is completely voluntary and confidential. We take your privacy seriously. In fact, the study is protected by a federal Certificate of Confidentiality, which is the strongest protection of privacy there is for data collected on sensitive topics.

Receiving your feedback is incredibly important to me, and I thank you for your continued trust.

Thank you for your service,

Tanya C. Banchs, DSW, LMSW, MHS

Senior Victim Assistance Advisor

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. It is available 24/7/365. Find out more here: https://www.safehelpline.org/. To verify the authenticity of this survey, OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX, call 1-571-372-1034 or DSN 372-1034. If you have any questions about this survey, please call our Survey Processing Center toll-free at 1-800-881-5307, or e-mail [email protected]. If you do not wish to participate or to receive additional reminders about this survey, you may remove yourself from the mailing list by replying to this message. Be sure to include the words, "Please remove me from this survey's mailing list." If you wish to withdraw your answers after starting this survey, notify the Survey Processing Center. If you decide to opt into text messaging, message frequency will vary, and message and data rates may apply.

Follow-Up E-mail #2: Reminder #1

To: Individuals who completed the initial survey and provided preferred contact

From: Dr. Tanya Banchs, Senior Victim Assistance Advisor, DoD SAPRO

Subject: Your Story in Your Words – SVSES Follow Up

This is a reminder that your Sexual Violence Support and Experiences Study (SVSES) quarterly follow-up survey is ready. This quick follow-up survey should take less than 10 minutes of your time. If you’re ready now, please go to [DIRECT SURVEY LINK]. Your ticket number, if you need it, is XXXXXXX.

As a reminder, this study is completely voluntary and confidential. In this follow-up survey, you can tell us how things have been going and any changes you’ve experienced over the past three months.

Have things been going well? Have you found any road bumps in your journey? There is an open-end journaling option at the end of the survey for you to write about your experiences in your own words.

We know that your time is valuable and appreciate your continued participation in the SVSES. Learning from you helps us to continue improving the support and services we provide to Service members.

Thank you,

Tanya C. Banchs, DSW, LMSW, MHS

Senior Victim Assistance Advisor

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. It is available 24/7/365. Find out more here: https://www.safehelpline.org/. To verify the authenticity of this survey, OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX, call 1-571-372-1034 or DSN 372-1034. If you have any questions about this survey, please call our Survey Processing Center toll-free at 1-800-881-5307, or e-mail [email protected]. If you do not wish to participate or to receive additional reminders about this survey, you may remove yourself from the mailing list by replying to this message. Be sure to include the words, "Please remove me from this survey's mailing list." If you wish to withdraw your answers after starting this survey, notify the Survey Processing Center. If you decide to opt into text messaging, message frequency will vary, and message and data rates may apply.

Follow-Up E-mail #3: Reminder #2–Final Reminder

To: Individuals who completed the initial survey and provided preferred contact

From: Dr. Tanya Banchs, Senior Victim Assistance Advisor, DoD SAPRO

Subject: Last Chance for This Quarter – SVSES Follow Up

This is your last reminder to take this quarter’s follow-up survey as part of the Sexual Violence Support & Experiences Study (SVSES), if you have not done so already. To participate:

• Access the survey at [DIRECT LINK TO SURVEY]. Your ticket number, if you need it, is XXXXXXXXX.

• The survey should take no more than 10 minutes to complete.
  
  

• Your answers are confidential and protected by a federal Certificate of Confidentiality.
  
  

• The survey is completely voluntary, and you can choose to skip any question you don’t want to answer.
  
  

• There is a journaling option at the end of the survey for you to write about your experiences in your own words.

Again, thank you for taking the time to be a part of this study, and I hope you’ll continue to share your experiences and opinions with us.

Thank you for your service,

Tanya C. Banchs, DSW, LMSW, MHS

Senior Victim Assistance Advisor

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

DoD Safe Helpline is the sole secure, confidential, and anonymous crisis support service specially designed for members of the Department of Defense community affected by sexual assault. It is available 24/7/365. Find out more here: https://www.safehelpline.org/. To verify the authenticity of this survey, OMB Control Number: XXXX-XXXX, call 1-571-372-1034 or DSN 372-1034. If you have any questions about this survey, please call our Survey Processing Center toll-free at 1-800-881-5307, or e-mail [email protected]. If you do not wish to participate or to receive additional reminders about this survey, you may remove yourself from the mailing list by replying to this message. Be sure to include the words, "Please remove me from this survey's mailing list." If you wish to withdraw your answers after starting this survey, notify the Survey Processing Center. If you decide to opt into text messaging, message frequency will vary, and message and data rates may apply.