As a Pentagon task force report is being finalized to improve the military’s response to sexual assaults, changes already are underway in the war zone to better safeguard rape victims, according to abuse-crisis organizations.
In recent weeks, troops who allegedly have been sexually assaulted during war duty overseas have been immediately moved into combat units separate from their alleged attackers, according to a national victim advocacy organization. And preparations are being made to expand victim-assistance programs throughout the armed services, sources say. In the meantime, the Defense Department’s internal task force examining the armed services’ response to sexual-assault crimes wrapped up its investigation Friday, meeting a deadline set by Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld last February.
“They’ve completed their end of the report,” said Pentagon spokeswoman Lt. Col. Cynthia Colin, who added that Rumsfeld is scheduled to receive a final draft Wednesday.
For now, the Pentagon is staying mum on its contents. However, civilian experts in sexual violence who have been interviewed by the task force say its members have focused on boosting victim advocacy services, increasing educational and training programs, and promoting partnerships with rape-crisis centers near military bases nationwide.
Some speculate privately that the task force report will recommend boosting the number of victim advocates and nurses who specialize in administering rape examinations, which are among the most pressing needs in the war zone.
Pentagon officials declined to say whether they have sent more advocates or nurses overseas in recent weeks.
Members of Congress, including Sen. Wayne Allard, R-Colo., say they have not yet seen a draft of the report.
“The senator looks forward to seeing what the secretary’s task force has to say about this situation and what recommendations it offers,” said Angela de Rocha, Allard’s spokeswoman.
Rumsfeld is under pressure from Congress to make big changes, especially after more than 80 lawmakers demanded in mid-April that he meet with them to discuss his internal inquiry, saying they do not want a whitewash of the military’s problems as has happened in the past. Rumsfeld has yet to respond to the request.
Last February, The Denver Post reported that dozens of women in combat zones overseas were returning from deployment seeking sexual trauma counseling and reporting that they were raped by fellow soldiers. They said they experienced poor medical treatment, flawed investigations and leniency for their attackers. Several also said they were forced to stay in the same units as their assailants.
Army investigative records recently released to The Post supported those stories, showing that soldiers were frequently dodging prosecution for sex crimes with the help of commanders.
Christine Hansen, executive director of The Miles Foundation, is among the civilian advocates who have met with task force members to provide recommendations for enhancing victim safety.
“What’s happening now in the combat theater is that women have less treatment options than in the U.S.,” Hansen said. “We’re making the suggestion that they use the same protocols for rape victims in combat that they use for injured soldiers on the battlefield: that they are convoyed out and get immediate medical attention.”
During the last few weeks, Hansen said, military officials have made improvements in safeguarding victims overseas by separating soldiers from their alleged assailants. Victims are being moved to other units while suspects are investigated, she said. Pentagon officials would not confirm the separation of rape victims.
Hansen said the military still must refine its approach, even with the new procedures. Women who are being returned to their same units after the accused soldiers have been shipped out are facing hostile friends of the suspects, she said.
“We’ve contacted the Pentagon and talked to Senate and House armed services committees, saying this isn’t an adequate response, and it could still endanger victims.”
Scott Berkowitz, president and founder of the Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network, said task force members have kept proposed recommendations “close to the vest” but have approached him about several key reform ideas.
“One big thing they are focused on is more extensive and consistent prevention-education programs,” including those involving sexual harassment, Berkowitz said. “It’s also clear that in recent weeks there has been more reaching out and better cooperation between military bases and (civilian) rape-crisis centers” across the country.
Berkowitz has pushed on Capitol Hill for more partnerships between civilian counseling shelters and military installations, saying victims need effective advocacy services, along with confidentiality protections usually not afforded to military personnel.
Debbie Tucker, director of the National Training Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence and a consultant for the military, said she hopes the task force report reflects the hard decisions required to make a difference.
“I want to hear the task force say that the best way to help the rape victims is to intervene right away and punish the offenders so that the message is loud and clear,” Tucker said. “That isn’t happening right now; that isn’t being said. And I’d like to hear them say, ‘Give victims some confidentiality,’ so they will feel free to come forward and report crimes.”
Staff writer Miles Moffeit can be reached at 303-820-1415 or mmoffeit@denverpost.com .
