Evaluation of The U.S. Marine Corps Pre-Command Sexual Assault Prevention and Response and Integrated Prevention Training

OMB Control Number 0704-0644, Expiration Date 1/31/2026

Survey for USMC Pre-Command Sexual Assault Prevention and Response and Integrated Prevention Training Component (Pre-Command SAPR IP Training)

Baseline Survey Question Count (Max): 39

Follow-up Survey Question Count (Max): 42

[GENERAL SURVEY INSTRUCTIONS, ITEM LABELS, AND PROGRAMMING NOTES INDICATED IN BLUE. TEXT WILL NOT APPEAR IN SURVEY.]

[BASELINE SURVEY INSTRUCTIONS INDICATED IN GREEN. TEXT WILL NOT APPEAR IN SURVEY.]

[FOLLOW-UP SURVEY INSTRUCTIONS INDICATED IN ORANGE. TEXT WILL NOT APPEAR IN SURVEY.]

____________________________________________________________________________

DISPLAY: Welcome to the USMC Pre-Command Sexual Assault Prevention and Response & Integrated Prevention Training Survey

OMB Control Number: 0704-0644

Expiration Date: 1/31/2026

This survey is being administered on behalf of the Department of Defense (DoD) Violence Prevention Cell (VPC) and Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) by NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC). NORC is an objective, nonpartisan research organization that provides rigorous and reliable research and evaluation to clients. DoD VPC and SAPRO have contracted with NORC to support the evaluation of the United States Marine Corps (USMC) Pre-Command Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) and Integrated Prevention (IP) Training. Your input will be invaluable for informing improvements to these trainings for USMC command leaders. This survey should take about 15 minutes to complete.

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DISPLAY: Please note:

• Your participation in this survey is voluntary, meaning no negative action will be taken against you should you choose not to complete the survey. You may skip any questions or stop the questionnaire at any timeⁱ.

• Your participation in this survey is confidential, meaning your name or other personally identifying information will not be associated with the responses you give on this survey.

AGENCY DISCLOSURE NOTICE: The public reporting burden for this collection of information, 0704-0644, is estimated to average 15 minutes per response, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information. Send comments regarding the burden estimate or burden reduction suggestions to the Department of Defense, Washington Headquarters Services, at whs.mc-alex.esd.mbx.dd-dod-information-collections@mail.mil. Respondents should be aware that notwithstanding any other provision of law, no person shall be subject to any penalty for failing to comply with a collection of information if it does not display a currently valid OMB control number.

If you have any questions about this survey or the evaluation being conducted by NORC, please contact the NORC Project Team by email: USMC-SAPR-IPP-Eval@norc.org or phone: (301) 351-7167.

By clicking ‘Next’ you indicate your agreement to participate in this survey.

CLICK ‘NEXT’ TO CONTINUE THE SURVEY

CLICK ‘EXIT’ TO CLOSE THE SURVEY

DISPLAY: Throughout this survey there will be hover definitions for specific terms to provide additional information and clarity. Terms that have a hover definition will be indicated in [COLOR] font. To view a definition simply click on the colored text and a box containing the definition will appear. You can click the ‘X’ on the top right corner of the box to close the definition.

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____________________________________________________________________________

DEMOGRAPHICS [6 questions]

DISPLAY: These first few questions are about you and your experience.

1. [demographics-gender] What is your gender identity?

• man

• women

• transmale/ transman

• transfemale/ transwoman

• gender queer/ gender nonconforming

• different identify (please state): [write-in]

2. [demographics-race&ethnicity] What is your race and/or ethnicity? Mark all that apply.

• American Indian or Alaska Native

• Asian

• Black or African American

• Hispanic or Latino

• Middle Eastern or North African

• Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander

• White

3. [demographics-years of service] How many years have you served in the Marine Corps?

• 15 years or less

• 16-20 years

• 21-25 years

• 26-30 years

• More than 30 years

4. 4a. [demographics-rank] What is your current position/rank?

• E-9 Sergeant Major (Battalion)

• E-9 Sergeant Major (Regiment)

• O-5 Lieutenant Colonel/ commander

• O-6 Colonel/ commander

• Not listed/Other (please specify): [write-in]

4b. [demographics-rank years] How many years have you been in your current position/rank?

[drop down selection: less than 1 year; 2 years; 3 years; etc.]

5. [FOLLOW-UP SURVEY ONLY] [demographics-command current] Are you currently serving as a commanding officer or command senior enlisted advisor in the Marine Corps?

• Yes

• No, I have not yet taken command but will in the next year

• Other, please specify: [write-in]

6. [demographics-email] [Baseline Only] Please provide an email address to an email account you check regularly to receive the follow-up survey essential to completing this evaluation. You may provide a personal and/or professional email. Your email address will not be linked with any of your answers to the questions in this survey. Your email address will not be shared with the USMC or the DoD. [write-in] ______________

KNOWLEDGE [4 questions; 1 matching]

DISPLAY: These next few questions will ask about the commander’s/Sergeant Major’s responsibilities related to prevention of and response to harmful behaviors, including sexual assault.

6. [knowledge-IPP] Which of the following statements about Integrated Primary Prevention (IPP) is not true? [PROGRAMMING NOTE: CORRECT ANSWER(S) IN GREEN]

1. IPP refers to prevention activities that simultaneously address multiple harmful behaviors.

2. IPP refers to the coordinated response of activities following a report of a harmful event.

3. IPP refers to the inclusion of prevention activities into a cohesive, comprehensive approach.

4. IPP refers to prevention activities being a unified effort to avoid unnecessary duplication and lessen training fatigue.

5. Unsure

6. [knowledge-unrestricted report] Which of the following activities are the responsibility of a commander/Sergeant Major to implement immediately following an unrestricted report of sexual assault? Please select all that apply. [PROGRAMMING NOTE: CORRECT ANSWER(S) IN GREEN]

• Ensure the person who reported the incident is safe and has access to support personnel and services

• Notify the Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA) as soon as possible

• Notify the Military Criminal Investigative Organization (MCIO) as soon as possible

• Talk to the victim and offender to figure out what happened

• Unsure [programming note: if this box is checked, no other response options can be checked]

6. [knowledge-SAPR stakeholders]ⁱⁱ Match the personnel or service with their position or role.

Sexual Assault Response Coordinator (SARC)	-----	Serves as a SAPR subject matter expert and point of contact for commanders; maintains oversight of SAPR Program, victim care, reporting requirements, prevention & training; monitors data, identifies systemic issues, and ensures policy compliance.
Sexual Assault Prevention & Response Victim Advocate (SAPR VA)	-----	Provides victim advocacy and non-clinical support to those affected by sexual assault or retaliation and facilitates sexual assault trainings and briefings.
Victims Legal Counsel (VLC) / Staff Judge Advocate (SJA)	-----	Personnel and services for victims of sexual assault that provides legal advice and guidance while maintaining victims’ confidentiality.
Naval Criminal Investigative Service (NCIS) / Military Criminal Investigative Organization (MCIO)	-----	Responsible for conducting criminal investigations, including reports of sexual assault.
Integrated Primary Prevention Workforce (IPPW)/ Embedded Preventive Behavioral Health Capability (EPBHC)/ Primary Prevention Integrators (PPI)	-----	Personnel and services that focus on shared risk and protective factors that target two or more problematic behaviors; coordinates efforts related to data, analytics, and application of prevention activities.

6. [perceived knowledge-command role] I understand the commander’s/Sergeant Major’s role in overseeing the implementation of sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) programming.

• Strongly agree

• Agree

• Disagree

• Strongly disagree

PEER BEHAVIOR/BELIEFS/ATTITUDES/SUBJECTIVE NORMS [6 questions; 3 grid]

DISPLAY: These next questions ask about your perceptions related to prevention efforts.

Please indicate your response to each of the following statements.

In your opinion, how much priority is given to each of these activities by most USMC commanders/Sergeants Major?	Low Priority	Medium Priority	High Priority	A Top Priority
[peer behavior-SA prevention] Overseeing the implementation of strategiesii designed to prevent sexual assault.	¡	¡	¡	¡
[peer behavior-HB prevention] Overseeing the implementation of strategiesiii designed to prevent other harmful behaviorsiv (not including sexual assault).	¡	¡	¡	¡

DISPLAY: Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements.

	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
[general belief-prevention] I believe Marine Corps strategiesii designed to prevent sexual assault are effective.	¡	¡	¡	¡
[control belief-prevention] I believe commanders/Sergeants Major can effectively oversee the implementation of prevention strategiesii designed to prevent sexual assault.	¡	¡	¡	¡
[subjective norm-SA prevention] Others expect me to prioritize the implementation of strategiesii designed to prevent sexual assault.	¡	¡	¡	¡
[subjective norm-HB prevention] Others expect me to prioritize the implementation of strategiesii designed to prevent other harmful behaviorsiii (not including sexual assault).	¡	¡	¡	¡

DISPLAY: Please indicate your level of agreement with each of the following statements.

Thinking about all the expected responsibilities of a new commander/Sergeant Major, what are your feelings about each of these statements?	Strongly Disagree	Disagree	Agree	Strongly Agree
[attitude-prevention1] Overseeing the implementation of integrated primary preventionv strategiesii is central to my command policy and guidance.	¡	¡	¡	¡
[attitude-prevention2] Overseeing the implementation of integrated primary preventioniv strategiesii is a high priority for me.	¡	¡	¡	¡
[attitude-prevention3] Overseeing the implementation of integrated primary preventioniv strategiesii will be beneficial to my unit.	¡	¡	¡	¡

PERCEIVED BEHAVIORAL CONTROL [PBC]/ PREPAREDNESS/ BEHAVIORAL INTENTIONS [15 questions; 5 grid]

DISPLAY: These next several questions ask about your opinions related to the commander’s/Sergeant Major’s role in prevention and response efforts. Some of the questions may appear to be similar, but they do address distinct issues. Please read each question carefully.

Thinking about all the expected responsibilities of a new commander/Sergeant Major, what are your opinions about creating an environment where Marines feel empowered to report sexual assault (SA) if/when it occurs?
[PBC-environment] How easy or difficult do you feel it is to oversee strategies to create an environment where Marines feel empowered to report SA?	Very Difficult ¡	Difficult ¡	Easy ¡	Very Easy ¡
[preparedness-environment] How prepared do you feel to oversee strategies to create an environment where Marines feel empowered to report SA?	Not At All Prepared ¡	Not Prepared ¡	Prepared ¡	Very Prepared ¡
[behavioral intention-environment] Given all the competing responsibilities, how likely are you to prioritize efforts to create an environment where Marines feel empowered to report SA?	Not At All Likely ¡	Unlikely ¡	Likely ¡	Very Likely ¡

Thinking about all the expected responsibilities of a new commander/Sergeant Major, what are your opinions about overseeing the implementation of prevention strategiesii designed to prevent harmful behaviorsiii (including sexual assault [SA])?
[PBC-prevention] How easy or difficult do you feel it is to oversee the implementation of prevention strategies to prevent harmful behaviors (including SA)?	Very Difficult ¡	Difficult ¡	Easy ¡	Very Easy ¡
[preparedness-prevention] How prepared do you feel to oversee the implementation of prevention strategies to prevent harmful behaviors (including SA)?	Not At All Prepared ¡	Not Prepared ¡	Prepared ¡	Very Prepared ¡
[behavioral intention-prevention] Given all the competing responsibilities, how likely are you to prioritize efforts to oversee the implementation of prevention strategies to prevent harmful behaviors (including SA)?	Not at all likely ¡	Unlikely ¡	Likely ¡	Very likely ¡

Thinking about all the expected responsibilities of a new commander/Sergeant Major, what are your opinions about implementing reporting protocols if/when an unrestricted report of sexual assault (SA) is made?
[PBC-reporting] If an unrestricted report of SA is made, how easy or difficult do you feel it is to implement reporting protocols?	Very Difficult ¡	Difficult ¡	Easy ¡	Very Easy ¡
[preparedness-reporting] If an unrestricted report of SA is made, how prepared do you feel to implement reporting protocols?	Not At All Prepared ¡	Not Prepared ¡	Prepared ¡	Very Prepared ¡
[behavioral intention-reporting] Given all the competing responsibilities, if an unrestricted report of SA is made, how likely are you to prioritize efforts to implement reporting protocols?	Not At All Likely ¡	Unlikely ¡	Likely ¡	Very Likely ¡

Thinking about all the expected responsibilities of a new commander/Sergeant Major, what are your opinions about overseeing response (e.g., ensuring the safety and support of the Marine) following an unrestricted report of sexual assault (SA)?
[PBC-response] If an unrestricted report of SA is made, how easy or difficult do you feel it is to oversee response activities?	Very Difficult ¡	Difficult ¡	Easy ¡	Very Easy ¡
[preparedness-response] If an unrestricted report of SA is made, how prepared do you feel to oversee response activities?	Not At All Prepared ¡	Not Prepared ¡	Prepared ¡	Very Prepared ¡
[behavioral intention-response] Given all the competing responsibilities, if an unrestricted report of SA is made, how likely are you to prioritize efforts to oversee response activities?	Not At All Likely ¡	Unlikely ¡	Likely ¡	Very Likely ¡

Thinking about all the expected responsibilities of a new commander/Sergeant Major, what are your opinions about overseeing unit cohesion strategies (e.g., addressing negative behaviors) to rebuild a healthy command climate following an unrestricted report of sexual assault (SA)?
[PBC-postvention] If an unrestricted report of SA is made, how easy or difficult do you feel it is to oversee unit cohesion strategies to rebuild a healthy command climate?	Very Difficult ¡	Difficult ¡	Easy ¡	Very Easy ¡
[preparedness-postvention] If an unrestricted report of SA is made, how prepared do you feel to oversee unit cohesion strategies to rebuild a healthy command climate?	Not At All Prepared ¡	Not Prepared ¡	Prepared ¡	Very Prepared ¡
[behavioral intention-postvention] Given all the competing responsibilities, if an unrestricted report of SA is made, how likely are you to prioritize efforts to oversee unit cohesion strategies to rebuild a healthy command climate?	Not at all likely ¡	Unlikely ¡	Likely ¡	Very likely ¡

BEHAVIOR [5-10 questions; 2 grid]

DISPLAY: The next several questions will ask you about your experiences with sexual assault prevention and response.

17. [behavior-notice of SA] [Baseline Question Stem] In the past year, are you aware of a report of sexual assault within your unit? [Follow-Up Question Stem] In the past 5-6 months, are you aware of a report of sexual assault within your unit?

• Yes

• No

• Unsure

DISPLAY:

[BASELINE INSTRUCTIONS] Please indicate if you have been involved in the following activities in the past year.

[FOLLOW-UP INSTRUCTIONS] Please indicate if you have been involved in the following activities in the past 5-6 months.

I have overseen or supported the implementation of…	Yes	No	Unsure
[behavior-environment] strategies to create an environment where Marines feel empowered to report sexual assault.	¡	¡	¡
[behavior-prevention] strategies to preventii harmful behaviorsiii.	¡	¡	¡
[behavior-response] [SHOW IF: Q32=”YES” or “Unsure”] protocols to ensure a Marine feels safe and supported following their unrestricted report of sexual assault.	¡	¡	¡
[behavior-postvention] [SHOW IF: Q32=”YES” or “Unsure”] strategies to rebuild unit cohesion for a healthy command climate following an unrestricted report of sexual assault.	¡	¡	¡

17. [behavior-open end] [SHOW IF: any response to #33-36 is “YES”] You indicated that you have overseen or supported the implementation of one or more of the activities above. Please take a moment to explain one of your responses in the following text box. Please feel free to write as much information as you feel comfortable sharing; however, please do not include any personally identifying information (PII). As a reminder, your responses will be kept confidential.

[Drop down box indicating which activity to speak to. Options include: “creating a safe environment for reporting”; “strategies to prevent harmful behaviors”; “response protocols”; and “strategies to rebuild unit cohesion”]

[open end text box]

DISPLAY:

[BASELINE INSTRUCTIONS] Please indicate if you have been involved in the following activities in the past year.

[FOLLOW-UP INSTRUCTIONS] Please indicate if you have been involved in the following activities in the past 5-6 months.

I have…	Yes	No	Unsure
[behavior-info seeking] sought information or guidance on
a. preventing harmful behaviorsiii	¡	¡	¡
b. responding to harmful behaviorsiii	¡	¡	¡
[behavior-discussions] discussed with leadership or peers the topics of
a. preventing harmful behaviorsiii	¡	¡	¡
b. responding to harmful behaviorsiii	¡	¡	¡
[behavior-SOP ref] [TREATMENT GROUP & FOLLOW-UP SURVEY ONLY] referenced the SAPR Leadership SOP since Cornerstone Training.	¡	¡	¡
[behavior-SOP use] [TREATMENT GROUP & FOLLOW-UP SURVEY ONLY] [SHOW IF: Q32=”YES” or “Unsure”] referred to the SAPR Leadership SOP when responding to an incident of sexual assault.	¡	¡	¡

CLOSING [1 question]

DISPLAY: Thank you for your time and responses to questions thus far. We have one final question.

17. [QI Volunteer] [PROMPT FOR TREATMENT GROUP ON FOLLOW-UP SURVEYS] NORC is conducting brief interviews (30 minutes) with commanders’/Sergeants’ Major about their experience participating in the USMC Pre-Command SAPR IP Training (held during Cornerstone) and their role in sexual assault prevention and response. If you would be interested and willing to participate in an interview, please indicate below. Your participation and responses shared in an interview with NORC will be kept confidential; NORC will not share names or identifying characteristics of participants with the USMC or the DoD. Your input will be invaluable for informing improvements to the USMC Pre-Command SAPR IP Training.

    • I do not volunteer to participate in a brief follow-up interview with NORC.

• I volunteer to participate in a brief follow-up interview with NORC.

[If volunteer=yes, and Q6 [demographics-email]=blank/skip; SHOW]: Please provide an email address to be contacted by the NORC research team for the brief interview. Your email address will not be linked with any of your answers to the questions in this survey. Your email address will not be shared with the USMC or the DoD. [write-in] ______________

DISPLAY:

[BASELINE INSTRUCTIONS] Thank you for completing the USMC Pre-Command Sexual Assault Prevention & Response and Integrated Prevention Training Survey!

We appreciate your participation in this survey, as the information will help improve future trainings for leaders.

Please be on the lookout for the follow-up survey which will be sent by NORC (USMC-SAPR-IPP-Eval@norc.org) in MONTH/YEAR and will be essential to completing this evaluation.

If you have questions about this evaluation, please contact NORC by sending an email to USMC-SAPR-IPP-Eval@norc.org or calling (301) 351-7167.

PLEASE CLICK THE 'NEXT' BUTTON TO SUBMIT THE SURVEY AND

HAVE YOUR RESPONSES RECORDED.

[FOLLOW-UP INSTRUCTIONS] Thank you for completing the USMC Pre-Command Sexual Assault Prevention & Response and Integrated Prevention Training Follow-up Survey!

We appreciate your participation in these surveys, as the information will help improve future trainings for leaders.

If you have questions about this evaluation, please contact NORC by sending an email to USMC-SAPR-IPP-Eval@norc.org or calling (301) 351-7167.

PLEASE CLICK THE ‘NEXT’ BUTTON TO SUBMIT THE SURVEY AND

HAVE YOUR RESPONSES RECORDED.

[END OF SURVEY]

i Disclosure of information is voluntary and will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the Pre-Command SAPR IP Training. When completed, this form contains personally identifiable information and is protected by the Privacy Act of 1974, as amended.

ii NORC Note: The matching style question may not be suitable for mobile devices, and we may need to select 1-2 of these to develop T/F or multiple choice style question.

iii Hover definition: Prevention strategies or activities may include research-based programs, policies, and procedures that address risk and protective factors related to a harmful behavior.

iv Hover definition: Harmful behaviors refer to self-direct harm and harmful acts, such as sexual assault, harassment, retaliation, suicide, domestic abuse, and child abuse.

v Hover definition: Integrated Primary Prevention refers to prevention activities that simultaneously address multiple harmful behaviors in a cohesive, comprehensive approach that promotes unity of effort, avoids unnecessary duplication, and lessens training fatigue.

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USMC Pre-Command SAPR IP Training Evaluation Survey (NORC INTERNAL REF: v16, dated 07.30.24)