Air Force Academy eliminates barriers for sexual assault victims stepping forward

The Air Force Academy will no longer punish cadets who are victims of sexual assault for underage drinking, fraternization or other “collateral” misconduct violations.

According to the Air Force Times, the elimination of barriers for sexual assault victims is in an effort to increase reporting of such assaults.

Commandant of Cadets Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin, signed a memo on May 8 stating that sexual assault victims often don’t come forward because they fear being punished for crimes would emerge during the assault investigation.

The memo also said other such violations associated with a cadet’s sexual assault, like adultery, could still warrant punishment. But to “encourage reporting, avoid unnecessary additional trauma and maintain good order and discipline,” the memo said, commanders have been given more leeway to decide what, if any, corrective actions should be taken, and when.

In most cases, other collateral misconduct violations will not be punished if uncovered during a sexual assault investigation, including possession of alcohol in the dorms, consensual sexual activity in the cadet area, unprofessional relationships or fraternization among cadets, or so-called “over the fence” violations, or sneaking off-base. The memo explains those are some of the most common barriers when it comes to reporting sexual assault incidents.

However, cadets could still be punished if there are aggravating circumstances increasing the seriousness of such violations, or its effect on good order and discipline.

The memo also says commanders will consider whether the assault victim should be punished on a case-by-case basis.

If a commander decides a punishment is warranted, they should “consider actions that minimize or eliminate impacts on the victims’ career,” the memo said.

Victims can also hold back because they’re worried about getting their friends in trouble for violations they committed, that would come to light during the sexual assault investigation.

To fix that problem, the memo said commanders should similarly consider this policy when disciplining cadets other than the assault victim, when weighing punishments for misconduct uncovered during the assault investigation.