Sheppard AFB review team findings announced
2/26/2004 - RANDOLPH AFB, Texas -- The commander of Air Education and Training Command released a preliminary summary of the findings of the AETC special review team examination of alleged increased sexual assaults at Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, Feb. 26.
The summary of findings is a result of a weeklong review of sexual assault deterrence and sexual assault response programs currently in place at the north Texas base.
Gen. Donald G. Cook, AETC commander, directed a 22-member interdisciplinary team Feb. 12 to travel to Sheppard AFB and conduct a review of the base's plans, policies, programs and procedures to determine if there were any deficiencies in addressing sexual assaults at the base. The general directed the review following allegations that a wave of sexual assaults were going unnoticed at Sheppard.
The review team was charged to examine the environment and existing sexual assault reporting processes at the base, review reported sexual assault cases to confirm these cases were handled appropriately, determine if there were unreported sexual assault cases and examine the effectiveness of the Victim Witness Assistance Program at Sheppard.
The team, led by Col. K. C. McClain, AETC deputy director of Operations for Technical Training, interviewed more than 1,000 people at the base including commanders, senior enlisted leaders and functional experts such as the chaplain, medical personnel, family support center professionals and a random sample of students as part of the review. The team also surveyed more than 5,000 students at Sheppard.
Based on these interviews and surveys, the review found students at Sheppard AFB believe they are in a safe working, living and training environment.
A majority of students -- 90 percent -- think wing leadership effectively handles sexual assault allegations when reported and encourages reporting. The majority of female students -- 95 percent -- indicated they feel safe on base.
Students understand how to report sexual assaults; however, many students indicated a reluctance to report such assaults. Primary reasons students gave were concerns they would be delayed in training at Sheppard as the investigation moved forward, that they would be disciplined for misconduct occurring in conjunction with the sexual assault, i.e., underage drinking, embarrassment, loss of confidentiality and peer pressure.
"Our most important obligation to our people at Sheppard and every other Air Force base is to give them a safe and secure working, living and training environment," said General Cook. "We do not tolerate assaults and we make every effort to prevent such criminal behavior. But if despite our best efforts deterrence fails, our top priority is to provide swift and compassionate aid to the victims, thoroughly investigate the circumstances surrounding assaults and prosecute perpetrators."
The review also determined base agencies have good processes in place to respond to reports of sexual assault and to assist victims. Review of Sheppard AFB's VWAP indicated the program provides solid support and services to victims of sexual assault.
An in-depth review of 45 sexual assault cases at Sheppard AFB from 1993 to 2003 resulting in completed courts-martial or Article 15s showed these cases were handled appropriately and expeditiously. There were an additional 69 investigations since 1996 that did not result in either courts-martial or Article 15 non-judicial punishment. The command is reviewing these to confirm the disposition of each was appropriate.
Additionally, 10 allegations are currently under investigation at Sheppard AFB.
Colonel McClain met with local civilian crisis counseling center leadership, who indicated their confidence in Sheppard AFB's handling of sexual assault allegations and assistance to victims.
Discussions between Colonel McClain and local civilian law enforcement officials yielded findings that local law enforcement officials have confidence in Sheppard AFB's ability to appropriately respond to sexual assault cases.
Though the review team's preliminary findings strongly suggest the environment at Sheppard AFB is safe, and robust programs exist to deter sexual assaults and swiftly respond to aid victims and punish perpetrators when sexual assaults occur, the review team determined there are ways to improve upon existing programs.
For example, student training should be expanded to include more emphasis on sexual assault awareness, deterrence and reporting, and that such training be presented in a more interactive setting.
Likewise, current training programs for commanders, first sergeants, military training leaders and instructors should be expanded to include additional training on sexual assault awareness, deterrence and reporting.
The command is examining all of its plans, policies, programs and procedures at each of its installations to ensure existing programs to address sexual assaults are appropriate and effective in addressing this issue. |
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Phone: 703-695-0640
Alt Phone: 703-697-4425
FAX: 703-614-7486
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