A call to end gender-based violence in the military Melissa E. Dichter, Gala True and Glenna Tinney February 11 April is Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month (SAAPM). (Fort Drum Garrison Public Affairs) On Dec. 8, 2020, Army Secretary Ryan McCarthy suspended or fired 14 military leaders for failing to adequately prevent, stop, or intervene in a culture of sexual assault and violence at Fort Hood Army base. This was necessary, but nowhere near sufficient. The new secretary of defense in the Biden administration, Lloyd J. Austin III, has taken steps at the start of his service in this role to explore changes to the military’s handling of sexual and gender-based violence.