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For Immediate Release Contact: Amanda Molk, 202-225-5256 Napolitano Urges Secretary Roche to Change “Culture of Rape” at Air Force Academy Today Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (D-CA38) joined 19 of her Democratic women colleagues in sending a letter to Air Force Secretary James Roche to request an urgent meeting regarding the issue of sexual assault at the Academy. “Too many women who enter the Academy eager to serve our country have been victimized, and too many perpetrators have been given weak punishments, if any at all. Congress cannot ignore this extremely serious issue,” stated Napolitano, who took the lead in drafting the letter and circulating it among women Members. In the letter, Napolitano and the other Members offered the Secretary recommendations to help change the culture of rape at the Academy. “We have suggested the development of orientation program on sexual assault for all cadets, a comprehensive support services system for cadets who are sexually assaulted, and a system to thoroughly investigate all claims, provide all victims with due process and ensure strong sentences for perpetrators of sexual assault. We plan to discuss these recommendations with the Secretary, and we will follow up to ensure that the needed reforms are implemented,” noted the Congresswoman. Napolitano and the other women Members also sent letters to Armed Services Committee Chairman Duncan Hunter and Ranking Member Ike Skelton on this issue. “We wanted the leaders of this committee—which has jurisdiction over Air Force Academy issues—to know that we are contacting the Secretary. We hope that we can work with this committee, Secretary Roche and other relevant parties to improve the culture at the Academy. We must protect the safety of female cadets, take all steps possible to prevent sexual assault and institute a system that is fair and responsive to victims,” commented Napolitano.
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