Karah Rucker
MULTIPLE ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT WITHIN THE C-I-A ARE COMING TO LIGHT.
SOME VICTIMS DESCRIBE IT AS THE C-I-A’S “ME TOO” MOMENT.
COURTS IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA AND WASHINGTON, D-C, HAVE BEEN HEARING CASES OF ALLEGED SEXUAL ASSAULT AT THE SPY AGENCY FOR MORE THAN A YEAR NOW, ACCORDING TO C-N-N.
TWO CASES IN VIRGINIA LED TO CONVICTIONS OF MISDEMEANOR ASSAULT.
A FEDERAL JUDGE IN D-C SENTENCED A FORMER C-I-A OFFICER TO 30 YEARS IN PRISON FOR DRUGGING AND SEXUALLY ASSAULTING DOZENS OF WOMEN.
AT LEAST ONE OTHER CLAIM RESULTED IN AN OFFICER BEING FIRED.
SEVERAL FEMALE WHISTLEBLOWERS HAVE GONE TO CAPITOL HILL RECENTLY TO TESTIFY BEHIND CLOSED DOORS TO CONGRESSIONAL OVERSIGHT COMMITTEES ABOUT ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND HARASSMENT AT THE AGENCY.
ONE FEMALE CONTRACTOR SAYS A SENIOR OFFICER CAME TO HER HOME WITH A FIREARM DEMANDING SEXUAL RELATIONS, C-N-N SAID.
ANCHOR:
EARLIER THIS YEAR, A REPORT BY THE C-I-A’S INSPECTOR GENERAL AND A SEPARATE REVIEW BY CONGRESSIONAL INVESTIGATORS FOUND SERIOUS DEFICIENCIES IN HOW THE AGENCY HANDLED COMPLAINTS.
IN RESPONSE – THE AGENCY LAUNCHED A MAJOR REFORM EFFORT.
THAT INCLUDES HAVING A DEDICATED OFFICE TO RECEIVE THE ALLEGATIONS AND HIRING A LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICER TO HELP FACILITATE INVESTIGATIONS.
AN AGENCY SURVEY FOUND 28 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS SAID THEY EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE INSTANCE OF A SEXUALLY HOSTILE ENVIRONMENT WHILE WORKING AT THE C-I-A.
A TOTAL OF 7 PERCENT OF RESPONDENTS REPORTED EXPERIENCING AT LEAST ONE INSTANCE OF UNWANTED SEXUAL CONTACT OR ASSAULT IN THEIR CAREER AT THE AGENCY.
SENIOR C-I-A OFFICIALS SAY THE NEXT STEP IS EDUCATION – FOR MANAGERS ON HOW TO HANDLE INSTANCES OF ASSAULT AND SEXUAL HARASSMENT AND FOR THE WORKFORCE ON THE RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE TO THEM.
FOR SAN I’M … KARAH RUCKER.
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