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Study: 19 percent of female cadets victims of sexual assaultFear of reprisal kept them from reporting assaults
From Jamie McIntyre
WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Of 579 female Air Force Academy cadets surveyed by the Pentagon inspector general, 43 -- or 7.4 percent -- reported they had been victims of rape or attempted rape and 109 --or 18.8 percent -- claimed to have been a victim of sexual assault or attempted sexual assault, primarily by fellow cadets, according to a draft report of the survey results. Of the 31 seniors who claimed in the survey to be sexual assault or attempted sexual assault victims, 15 reported they had been raped or were victims of attempted rape during their time at the academy. The definition of sexual assault used in the survey includes "the touching of another without their consent in a sexual manner, including attempts, in order to arouse, appeal to, or gratify the lust or sexual desires of the accused, the victim, or both." A total of 177 instances of sexual assault were reported in the survey. Only 33 (18.6 percent) of the 177 instances of assault were ever reported to authorities. Fellow cadets were identified as the principal offenders in 149 (89.9 percent) of the 177 incidents of sexual assault reported in the survey. Most of the assaults -- 114 or 64.4 percent -- occurred on the grounds of the Air Force Academy installation, and of those, 65 occurred in dorms. A Pentagon official Thursday confirmed the authenticity of the document. The survey was conducted in May by the Department of Defense inspector general to determine the extent of sexual assault at the scandal-plagued academy, and whether commanders are doing enough to stop the assaults. More than half the women surveyed, 53.5 percent, said they believe the previous leadership of the academy failed to properly handle the sexual assault problem, while 96 percent said they believe the current leadership was making an "honest and reasonable effort to prevent or stop unwanted sexual attention," the draft report says. The report also found many of the 109 female cadets who said they were victims of assault did not report the alleged crimes. Among the reasons cited: • Fear of reprisal from upperclassmen not in the chain of command: 39 women (27.3 percent) • Fear of reprisal from upperclassmen in the chain of command: 35 women (24.5 percent) • Fear of reprisal from command officials: 36 women (25.2 percent) • Fear of ostracism by peers: 69 women (48.3 percent) • Fear of being punished for other infractions: 36 women (25.2 percent) • Fear that nothing would be done: 64 women (44.8 percent) • Embarrassment: 82 women (57.3 percent) An Air Force Academy working group report released in June found "no systematic acceptance of sexual assault at the academy." However, the working group, headed by the top civilian Air Force lawyer, did find "the focus on sexual assault issues had varied over time and lessened in recent years," and combined with cultural and process matters to produce a "less than optimal environment" to respond to sexual assault. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper replaced the academy's top four officers in March. Thursday, the entire 4,000-member cadet corps was lectured by the commandant of cadets, Brig. Gen. Johnny Weida, because of an underage drinking incident over the weekend. Seven 20- and 21-year-old cadets were ticketed by police for drinking alcohol in an off-campus hotel room early Saturday with two young women, ages 16 and 18.
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