Academy won't tolerate sexual assault

[judyvillecco]

Allegations that female cadets were reprimanded after reporting sexual assaults at the air force academy in Colorado brought secretary James Roche to an audience of about 2000 in early March or near the end of February. Most cadets declined to comment although he received a standing ovation when he said it wouldn't be tolerated. Interviewed on the Today show the academy's superintendent, Lt. Gen. John Dallager said he did not think officials intentionally dismissed, or minimized rape allegations. This small article was in my Daily news March 1, 03.

In another follow up article the next day it was noted the Air force team didn't consult the rape clinic that helped the 22 cadets. The executive director of the TESSA rape-crisis clinic, Cari Davis said cadets had been coming there the past 15 years because they feared retribution at the Academy. The victims were punished and some expelled for reporting, some called but didn't come in.

Dorothy Mackey, a former Air force captain who founded an advocacy group that tracks sexual assaults in the military said the failure to consult the clinic further proved the need for an outside investigation involving civilian prosecutors. This is all show. They don't want to know what happened because some of these rapes were committed by men who are now generals and colonels. One of the assaults was allegedly committed by an Air Force colonel 6 months from retirement. He was allowed to retire with reduced pay and benefits!

O'Reilly show had a brief segment on about this as well. What troubles me is that the same ole same ole is still going on and nothing changes since I was in in 1975! I wrote the National Center that does studies for PTSD for the VA including studies for women and found it dramatically lacking on studies done on sexual assaults in the military and the results. Being in the system myself and finding out the criteria used is based on the woman is lying 6 out of 10 times where it is the opposite by FBI standards which says less than 1 out of 10! This explains to me the coverup that still exists in our own military and the lack of evidence forthcoming.

I ask that concerned veterans and others write as I did and demand studies be opened up about the true nature of sexual assault in the military with independent outside investigating agencies.Evil flourishes when good men and women do nothing. Peace to all. :cl:

You may write to Department of Veterans Affairs, Washington D.C. 20011 or Center for Women Veterans 810 Vermont Avenue NW Washington D.C. 20420 Attention Joan Furey Director Phone number 202-273-6193 Fax 202-273-7092 or call the 1-800-827-1000 or use http//iris.va.gov/Scripts/Iris.cfg/php.exe/enduser/cci/t link