FederalDaily.com > DoD Releases Service Academies Sexual Assault Report

FederalDaily - December 11, 2007

DoD Releases Service Academies Sexual Assault Report

About half of the 40 reports of sexual assault at the nation’s three military academies over the 2006-2007 academic year were filed by Air Force Academy cadets, said a DoD report on sexual harassment and sexual violence released Dec. 7. Air Force Cadets filed 19 reports of sexual violence over the period, Army cadets filed 16 reports and Navy midshipmen filed five. The DoD assessment did not reveal identities, gender or details of the attacks. The report, which was prepared by the DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office, noted that half of the complainants filed a confidential assault report that allowed them to receive support services without being forwarded to law enforcement. Of the 19 Air Force complaints, 10 were forwarded to law enforcement for action, and of the four rape allegations, two victims withdrew from the legal proceedings, one case is pending an Article 32 hearing and the other is pending command action. The report also noted that the academies’ programs fulfilled the requirements of existing DoD policies, and that the new DoD sexual assault prevention and response policy is fully implemented at each institution. To see more, go to: www.sapr.mil.

Conference Bill Would Restore NSPS Bargaining Rights

House and Senate conferees last week adopted a Fiscal Year 2008 Defense authorization bill conference report which includes language to restore bargaining and appeal rights for civilian DoD employees. The conferees approved the report on Dec. 6 for the bill, HR 1585 (the National Defense Authorization Act), which resolved differences between House and Senate versions. The conference report would amend the new DoD National Security Personnel System (NSPS), which in 2005 sharply curtailed DoD employee bargaining rights. Pentagon officials at the time said the rules would make it easier to reassign employees and more quickly respond to national security threats. But portions of the NSPS later were set aside by the courts. The conference report said the bill would “ensure that employees may organize, bargain collectively, and participate through labor organizations of their own choosing in decisions which affect them.” American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE) President John Gage applauded the efforts, and noted that the report also extends additional outsourcing protections for federal employees. “AFGE thanks the conferees to the FY08 Defense Authorization Bill for including several bipartisan reforms long sought by this union’s activists,” Gage said. To see more, go to: www.afge.org/index.cfm?page=PressReleases&PressReleaseID=802.

VA Announces Veteran Caregiver Demo Projects

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) on Dec. 6 announced it will provide about $4.7 million for caregiver assistance pilot programs to expand and improve health care education and resources for those who assist homebound disabled and aging veterans. The pilot programs will support eight caregiver projects across the country. Among the key services provided to caregivers are transportation, respite care, case management and service coordination, assistance with personal care (bathing and grooming), social and emotional support and home safety evaluations, VA said in a statement. Education programs teach caregivers how to obtain community resources such as legal assistance, financial support, housing assistance, home-delivered meals and spiritual support. “This funding will enhance support and training for the family members and other caregivers who sacrifice to care for disabled and aging veterans,” said acting VA Secretary Gordon Mansfield. To see more, go to: http://www1.va.gov/opa/pressrel/pressrelease.cfm?id=1428.