COLORADO SPRINGS – A survey of the U.S. Air Force’s Pacific Command found serious flaws in the handling of sexual assault reports, but no evidence that commanders went easy on offenders.
The findings, released Thursday to The Gazette newspaper in Colorado Springs, are the first disclosed for an entire Air Force command. The assessment is the biggest undertaken by the Air Force since a review of suicide policies and prevention programs in 1996.
The five-month study found 106 accused offenders involved in 92 alleged rapes reported from 2001-03. It also revealed paperwork inconsistencies that make it difficult to track cases and command decisions, and a failure to care for victims.
“We found our victim-assistance program is not what it should be,” Pacific commander Gen. William Begert told the newspaper.
“We found dealings with subjects lacking, almost nonexistent.”
Begert issued orders Monday beefing up education about sexual assault and victim aid.
The Air Force’s other eight commands were briefed about the findings Feb. 4 and have begun their own assessments. The work will examine education and training, reporting procedures, victim response programs and oversight by commanders.
Air Force Secretary James Roche, who has been involved in the response to the assault scandal at the Air Force Academy, said a servicewide review had been planned for some time. He said the Pacific command report “will help inform many of our efforts to ensure that we have an environment of safety, respect and camaraderie for all our airmen.”
A Defense Department review was ordered Feb. 10 by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. Officials hope to complete the work by May.
“What we’re after is how we’re doing,” said Michael Dominguez, assistant Air Force secretary for manpower and reserves. “The principal focus of this effort is what’s working and what do we need to improve.”
Begert said the study found no evidence that rank was used to intimidate lower-ranking women in the Pacific command, which has 33,100 active-duty personnel.
It also concluded all rape claims were investigated thoroughly at the command’s nine bases in Japan, South Korea, Guam, Hawaii, Alaska, Singapore and Diego Garcia. About 6,000 women are stationed at the bases.
Of the 106 alleged offenders, 14 were court-martialed (12 were charged with rape) and seven were convicted. Two cases are pending, three were disposed of with administration discharge and two were charged with lesser sex crimes.
Of the remaining 92 suspects, no action was taken against 28; another 22 were punished with nonjudicial punishment; two were civil prosecutions; and 19 involved administrative actions. Cases are pending against 19 other suspects and the resolution of the last two was unknown.
The cases include not only service members but military dependents and some civilians as victims and offenders, Begert said. Eight cases involved multiple suspects.
The national civilian conviction rate of 18 percent outpaces the Pacific command’s 7 percent, but Begert said no airman charged was acquitted of all charges and all those charged were punished.
