K-12 Education: DOD Has Taken Steps to Support Students Affected by Problematic Sexual Behaviors, but Challenges Remain. Report to Congressional Committees. GAO-24-106182

The Department of Defense Education Activity (DODEA) is required to protect students from discrimination based on sex, which can include sexual harassment. Senate Report 117-130 and House Report 117-397 include a provision for the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine DODEA's response to unwanted sexual behaviors. This report examines (1) the information DODEA collects to identify unwanted sexual behavior; and (2) the availability of support services to students that are harmed by or exhibit such behavior. GAO analyzed the most recent available DODEA data on reported incidents of unwanted sexual behavior among students in school years 2019-2020 through 2022-2023. GAO also conducted site visits to 11 DODEA schools and the Military Community Advocacy Directorate's Family Advocacy Program (FAP) agencies serving five military communities in the U.S. and Europe, selected for geographic, grade level, and service branch variation. GAO also reviewed relevant federal laws and agency policies and interviewed agency officials from DODEA, Child and Youth Advocacy, and FAP. GAO is making five recommendations to DOD, including to: (1) assess reporting processes for normative behaviors; (2) monitor DODEA inclusion in response efforts; (3) monitor efforts to increase FAP clinical expertise; (4) assess efforts to improve participation in FAP support services; and (5) assess its policy to exclude civilian-dependent students from receiving most FAP services. DOD generally agreed with GAO's recommendations.