C.I.A. Says It Will Overhaul Dealing with of Sexual Assault Allegations

WASHINGTON — The Central Intelligence Company introduced Thursday that it might revise its course of for dealing with allegations of sexual assault and harassment, following allegations that the company discouraged individuals from submitting formal complaints or mishandled them.

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Members of Congress have begun investigating the company’s dealing with of complaints of assault and harassment by feminine CIA officers. Additionally, on the request of the Senate, the CIA’s inspector normal has begun an evaluate of how the group handles complaints, officers mentioned.

Attorneys for the ladies say the CIA used classification arguments to make it tougher for girls to get counsel. In accordance with the attorneys, the company has additionally created boundaries which have made it troublesome for individuals to file federal complaints or rent outdoors regulation enforcement companies to research the matter.

On Thursday, the CIA introduced that it had appointed Taleeta Jackson of the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention Program to go the Navy Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Workplace. dr Jackson will likely be tasked with bettering the CIA’s response to allegations of sexual assault, the company mentioned in an announcement.

The CIA additionally mentioned it should create an inside activity pressure, suggested by outdoors consultants, to streamline its course of to fight sexual assault and harassment. By the top of Could, the company will problem new pointers on the way to report such incidents, the CIA mentioned. Officers mentioned the purpose is to make it simpler to report wrongdoing internally or to exterior regulation enforcement companies.

In an announcement, William J. Burns, the director of the CIA, mentioned he met with “involved officers” to listen to their issues and see how the company may enhance.

“We’ve no larger precedence than caring for our individuals,” Mr Burns mentioned. “We’ll proceed to behave rapidly and systematically to handle issues and enhance our method to those vital points. Extra reforms will come.”

Thursday’s CIA assertion acknowledged that the earlier course of for dealing with allegations was flawed and that it was too troublesome for officers to get assist or authorized recommendation. Nonetheless, it’s not clear whether or not the company will re-examine all earlier instances as a part of the evaluate of its procedures.

Kevin T. Carroll, an legal professional representing a lady who has filed a prison grievance towards one other CIA official, mentioned the duty pressure was “a superb first step.”

However he mentioned the CIA must overhaul the way in which it handles prison studies, which regulation enforcement company handles them and what victims are allowed to inform investigators.

The CIA “additionally wants to alter its directions to victims about chatting with regulation enforcement,” Carroll mentioned.

Mr Carroll mentioned his consumer contacted the Home Intelligence Committee in January, pissed off by the company’s inaction. Congressional intelligence committees oversee the CIA, and its workers have safety clearances that permit them to request info from the company.

Politico had beforehand reported on the issues with the CIA’s dealing with of assault allegations.

In different instances, the company has additionally discouraged individuals from submitting complaints underneath the Equal Employment Alternative course of, making it troublesome for girls to hunt compensation for office harassment or assault, mentioned Kevin Byrnes, a lawyer with the seven company officers.

Underneath federal regulation, complaints of office harassment should first be heard by the company earlier than being referred to the Federal Equal Alternative Fee. Whereas particular person companies ought to appoint a impartial arbitrator to evaluate complaints, Byrnes mentioned the CIA has not.

“Sexual harassment just isn’t labeled,” Mr Byrnes mentioned. “Sexual assault just isn’t labeled.”

Along with his seven shoppers, Mr Byrnes mentioned 18 different individuals had contacted him about incidents that had occurred, however an excessive amount of time had handed for them to file a grievance underneath federal procedures. He mentioned the company remains to be defending its dealing with of complaints about equal employment alternatives.

“I’m glad there’s a blue ribbon fee, however let’s see what occurs,” Mr Byrnes mentioned.

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2023-05-12 02:11:18

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