Air Drive Secretary Frank Kendall has ordered an investigation into instances involving alleged home violence following a two-year investigation by CBS Information anchor and managing editor Norah O’Donnell and the investigative unit into the navy’s dealing with of such instances.
“I’m extraordinarily troubled by the claims of inappropriate dealing with of home violence complaints highlighted in your broadcast and have directed the Division of the Air Drive Inspector Common to conduct a complete assessment of these instances,” Kendall mentioned in an announcement Wednesday.
Kendall mentioned the watchdog would assessment the investigations of the allegations, disciplinary actions and the help supplied to victims.
“There’s completely no place for sexual assault, sexual harassment, or home violence within the Division of the Air Drive,” he mentioned.
CBS Information’ investigation discovered that roughly 100,000 incidents of home abuse have been reported to the navy since 2015. Practically 40 home violence survivors instructed CBS Information that the navy failed to guard them.
Amongst those that spoke to CBS Information was now-retired Grasp Sergeant Erica Johnson, who instructed Air Drive leaders in 2019 that she was being bodily and sexually assaulted. The Air Drive’s Workplace of Particular Investigations opened an investigation, however it “did not go wherever,” Johnson mentioned.
Emily Brearley instructed the Air Drive she feared for her life after her then-partner, an Air Drive officer, had allegedly tried to strangle her and beat her.
She repeatedly instructed the Air Drive in regards to the alleged violence, and the Workplace of Particular Investigations did open an investigation. However the Air Drive did nothing to maintain her secure, she mentioned. As an alternative, they promoted her accomplice, who acquired verbal counseling.
CBS Information investigation into home abuse within the navy:
“It was severe betrayal”: Military has failed to address domestic violence, survivors say
One woman reported domestic violence to the Air Force. This is how its investigation unfolded
Military’s domestic violence crisis compounded after 20 years of war
