Devildogg4ever
09-23-03, 04:00 AM
ROBERT GEHRKE
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Blame for a string of sexual assaults at the Air Force Academy goes all the way to the Pentagon, as officers in the highest levels of the Air Force failed to recognize clear signs that a severe problem existed at the military school, a congressional panel said.
The report, delivered Monday to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, marked the first time that accountability for the academy's sexual assault scandal was placed anywhere but academy leaders.
The seven-member panel, created by Congress earlier this year to investigate the academy's problems, said Pentagon Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz should conduct a full investigation to determine which Air Force leaders should be held accountable for the failures.
"While the record is not complete, the evidence before the panel shows that the highest levels of leadership had information about serious problems at the academy, yet failed to take effective action," the report said.
Dozens of female cadets have said academy commanders were complacent about their complaints of sexual assault and in some cases punished them for minor rules violations if they reported they were attacked.
From 1993 to 2002, there were 142 reported sexual assaults at the academy. A survey by the Defense Department inspector general last month found that nearly one in five female cadets said they had been sexually assaulted since coming to the Air Force Academy. Just 19 percent reported the crimes, fearing punishment or ostracism.
"Academy and Air Force leaders knew or should have known that this data was an unmistakable warning sign and quite possibly signaled an even larger crisis," the report said.
Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard said he planned to make clear to Schmitz when he met with him Tuesday that a full investigation into who should be accountable for the academy's sexual assault problems was crucial.
The actions of previous academy leaders - Lt. Gen. John Dallager, Brig. Gen. S. Taco Gilbert III and Col. Laurie Sue Slavec - who were reassigned in the aftermath of the sex scandal also warrant investigation by the inspector general, the panel said.
"General Dallager and General Gilbert failed to exercise the judgment, awareness and resourcefulness necessary to realize that there was a sexual misconduct and social climate problem in their command that directly impacted the welfare and safety of their cadets," the report said.
The panel also was critical of a June report by an Air Force Academy Working Group, led by Air Force General Counsel Mary Walker. The panel said that report attempted to "shield Air Force headquarters from public criticism" by downplaying the information available to Air Force brass that there were problems at the Colorado Springs, Colo., school.
Air Force Secretary James G. Roche replaced the senior academy leadership in March, even though he said they were not responsible for problems they inherited. The assertion drew scathing criticism from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who said Roche "has proven himself totally incapable of handling this issue."
Pentagon spokeswoman Michelle Shortencarrier said Rumsfeld planned to carefully review the report and consider the panel's recommendations. Academy spokesman Col. David Cannon said it would take time to review the report and form a plan before proceeding.
Jamie Zuieback, spokeswoman for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, said she was pleased with how the report sought to hold officers accountable, but added: "There is a much bigger issue and that is, is there an institutional understanding of the severity of the crime? Are victims being handled appropriately? ... And from a law enforcement perspective, is everything being done to bring perpetrators to justice?"
Members of the congressional panel, including its chairwoman, former Florida Rep. Tillie Fowler, were scheduled to testify before the House and Senate armed services committees on Wednesday.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/6838031.htm
Associated Press
WASHINGTON - Blame for a string of sexual assaults at the Air Force Academy goes all the way to the Pentagon, as officers in the highest levels of the Air Force failed to recognize clear signs that a severe problem existed at the military school, a congressional panel said.
The report, delivered Monday to Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld, marked the first time that accountability for the academy's sexual assault scandal was placed anywhere but academy leaders.
The seven-member panel, created by Congress earlier this year to investigate the academy's problems, said Pentagon Inspector General Joseph E. Schmitz should conduct a full investigation to determine which Air Force leaders should be held accountable for the failures.
"While the record is not complete, the evidence before the panel shows that the highest levels of leadership had information about serious problems at the academy, yet failed to take effective action," the report said.
Dozens of female cadets have said academy commanders were complacent about their complaints of sexual assault and in some cases punished them for minor rules violations if they reported they were attacked.
From 1993 to 2002, there were 142 reported sexual assaults at the academy. A survey by the Defense Department inspector general last month found that nearly one in five female cadets said they had been sexually assaulted since coming to the Air Force Academy. Just 19 percent reported the crimes, fearing punishment or ostracism.
"Academy and Air Force leaders knew or should have known that this data was an unmistakable warning sign and quite possibly signaled an even larger crisis," the report said.
Colorado Sen. Wayne Allard said he planned to make clear to Schmitz when he met with him Tuesday that a full investigation into who should be accountable for the academy's sexual assault problems was crucial.
The actions of previous academy leaders - Lt. Gen. John Dallager, Brig. Gen. S. Taco Gilbert III and Col. Laurie Sue Slavec - who were reassigned in the aftermath of the sex scandal also warrant investigation by the inspector general, the panel said.
"General Dallager and General Gilbert failed to exercise the judgment, awareness and resourcefulness necessary to realize that there was a sexual misconduct and social climate problem in their command that directly impacted the welfare and safety of their cadets," the report said.
The panel also was critical of a June report by an Air Force Academy Working Group, led by Air Force General Counsel Mary Walker. The panel said that report attempted to "shield Air Force headquarters from public criticism" by downplaying the information available to Air Force brass that there were problems at the Colorado Springs, Colo., school.
Air Force Secretary James G. Roche replaced the senior academy leadership in March, even though he said they were not responsible for problems they inherited. The assertion drew scathing criticism from Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who said Roche "has proven himself totally incapable of handling this issue."
Pentagon spokeswoman Michelle Shortencarrier said Rumsfeld planned to carefully review the report and consider the panel's recommendations. Academy spokesman Col. David Cannon said it would take time to review the report and form a plan before proceeding.
Jamie Zuieback, spokeswoman for the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network, said she was pleased with how the report sought to hold officers accountable, but added: "There is a much bigger issue and that is, is there an institutional understanding of the severity of the crime? Are victims being handled appropriately? ... And from a law enforcement perspective, is everything being done to bring perpetrators to justice?"
Members of the congressional panel, including its chairwoman, former Florida Rep. Tillie Fowler, were scheduled to testify before the House and Senate armed services committees on Wednesday.
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/news/breaking_news/6838031.htm