WASHINGTON — The Central Intelligence Agency introduced on Thursday that it could overhaul its course of for dealing with sexual assault and harassment accusations within the wake of allegations that the company had discouraged individuals from submitting formal complaints or had mishandled them.
Members of Congress have begun investigating the company’s dealing with of assault and harassment complaints filed by feminine C.I.A. officers. Also, on the request of the Senate, the C.I.A.’s inspector normal has begun a evaluation of how the group processed complaints, officers mentioned.
Lawyers for the ladies say the C.I.A. has used arguments about classification to make it troublesome for ladies to get authorized illustration. The company has additionally created roadblocks which have made it troublesome for individuals to file federal complaints or get exterior legislation enforcement to research the problems, in keeping with the attorneys.
On Thursday, the C.I.A. introduced that it had employed Taleeta Jackson from the Navy’s sexual assault prevention program to steer the company’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. Dr. Jackson can be tasked with bettering how the C.I.A. responds to sexual assault allegations, the company mentioned in a press release.
The C.I.A. additionally mentioned it could create a activity power of out of doors specialists to streamline its course of for addressing sexual assault and harassment. By the top of May, the company will challenge new steerage on reporting such episodes, the C.I.A. mentioned. Officials mentioned the goal is to make it simpler to report misconduct internally or to exterior legislation enforcement.
In a press release, William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, mentioned he had met with “affected officers” to take heed to their considerations and see how the company might enhance.
“We have no higher priority than taking care of our people,” Mr. Burns mentioned. “We will continue to act quickly and systematically to address concerns, and to improve our approach to these critical issues. More reforms will be coming.”
The C.I.A.’s assertion on Thursday acknowledged that the earlier course of for dealing with accusations was flawed and urged that it was too troublesome for officers to get assist or authorized steerage. But it’s not clear if the company will re-examine any prior circumstances as a part of the evaluation of its procedures.
Kevin T. Carroll, a lawyer who represents one girl who has made a felony grievance towards one other C.I.A. officer, mentioned the duty power was “an excellent first step.”
But he mentioned the C.I.A. should overhaul the way it handles felony complaints, which legislation enforcement company handles them and what it permits victims to inform investigators.
The C.I.A. “must also reform its instructions to victims about speaking to law enforcement,” Mr. Carroll mentioned.
Mr. Carroll mentioned that when his consumer was pissed off by the company’s failure to behave, she approached the House Intelligence Committee in January. Congress’s intelligence committees oversee the C.I.A., and its workers members have safety clearances, permitting them to demand data from the company.
The issues with the C.I.A.’s dealing with of assault allegations have been reported earlier by Politico.
In different circumstances, the company has additionally discouraged individuals from submitting complaints below the equal employment alternative course of, making it troublesome for ladies to get compensation for office harassment or assault, mentioned Kevin Byrnes, a lawyer who represents seven company officers.
Under federal legislation, office harassment complaints should first be heard by the company earlier than shifting to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While particular person companies are alleged to appoint a impartial arbiter to look into complaints, Mr. Byrnes mentioned the C.I.A. had not achieved that.
“Sexual harassment is not classified,” Mr. Byrnes mentioned. “Sexual assault is not classified.”
In addition to his seven shoppers, Mr. Byrnes mentioned 18 different individuals had contacted him about episodes that had occurred, however an excessive amount of time had handed for them to file a grievance below federal procedures. He mentioned the company remains to be defending its dealing with of equal employment alternative complaints.
“I am glad there is a blue-ribbon commission, but let us see what happens,” Mr. Byrnes mentioned.
Source: www.nytimes.com