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Demand the Appointment of a Victim Advocate
to the Air Force Academy Panel
Action Needed:
Please contact Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), who is leading the call for an "independent" investigation of the recent sexual violence scandal at the Air Force Academy, and former U.S. Representative Tillie Fowler, the appointed chair of this committee, and ask them to add a victim advocate to fill the panel slot opened by the resignation of Amy McCarthy. In addition, ask your own Senators to support this effort.
Background:
The panel to investigate the sexual assault scandals at the Air Force Academy lost a member yesterday. Amy McCarthy, a United Airlines pilot and a graduate of the Air Force Academy, left the panel after a barrage of public criticism. McCarthy had expressed doubts about the validity of the sexual assault charges, laying much of the blame on the "high risk behaviors" of female cadets, such as drinking alcohol.
NOW questions the panel's makeup and its ability to be "independent" or effective. Independent Women's Forum founder Anita Blair will staff the panel and no victim advocates or experts on sexual assault have been named.
Take Action:
Insist that at least one additional member be added to the panel to bring expertise on the issue of sexual violence. For far too long, the issue of sexual violence has occurred not just at the academies but throughout the military and continues today! The academies—and the military in general—offer leadership training and opportunities for young women and men to serve their country. For their sake we must insist that the President, Congress and the military high command step in and make every effort to curtail this criminal behavior immediately.
Please make two phone calls:
- Contact Sen. Wayne Allard (R-Colo.), who originally demanded the creation of an Air Force Academy sexual assault review panel. Urge him to include advocates and experts, not just anti-feminist ideologies, on this and future panels.
Sen. Allard's Washington D.C. Office:
phone: 202-224-5941, fax: 202-224-6471
Sample message for Sen. Allard:
I am calling to express my appreciation for your outspoken attention to the mishandling of sexual assaults at the Air Force Academy. Your demand for an explanation and for solutions will enable women and men at the academy to enjoy a safer college experience as they train to be military leaders.
Thank you for insisting that there be an independent review panel to investigate the Academy sex scandal. If we are to ensure that these appalling incidents never happen again, the review panel must have a true diversity of expertise. Sadly, the panel is missing the voice of an experienced victim advocate or trained counselor who could bring professional know-how to the discussion of reforms and solutions. Also, finding fault and blame and should be less of a concentration than finding enforceable solutions so that these horrific incidents are never repeated.
Please ask Secretary Rumsfeld to add a sexual violence expert as a panel member to replace Amy McCarthy and ask him to instruct the panel to consult with additional professionals who are familiar with the issue of sexual violence within the military—especially those who bring an understanding of confidentiality and the impact of the chain of command.
Please work to ensure that future panels and investigations have Congressional appointment and oversight authority. This issue will not go away unless we address the problem directly and involve experts in crafting the solutions.
- Contact the appointed chair of the review panel, Tillie Fowler, the former Republican Congresswoman from Florida.
Although she served on the House Armed Services Committee and has knowledge of military academies and their policies, she will surely welcome expertise and recommendations of victim advocates and professionals who deal daily with the issue of sexual assault.
Tillie Fowler's Washington D.C. Law Office (Holland & Knight):
phone: 202-419-2482, fax: 202-955-5564
Sample message to Tillie Fowler:
Please ask Secretary Rumsfeld to add a sexual violence expert as a replacement panel member for Amy McCarthy, and ask him to instruct the panel to consult with professionals who are familiar with the issue of sexual violence within the military—especially those who bring an understanding of confidentiality and the impact of military chain of command.
Please work to ensure that future panels and investigations have Congressional appointment and oversight authority. This issue will not go away unless we address the problem straight on and involve experts in crafting the solutions.
Additionally, ask your two senators to demand that a victim advocate be added to the panel investigating the Air Force scandal as a replacement for Amy McCarthy.
For more information:
Chronology of Articles on the U.S. Air Force Academy Sexual Assault Issue
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