<p>I'm posting this topic because I'm sure many of you have read the reports in many major newspapers concerning the allegations made against 1/c Webster Smith and have concerns over the environment present at the Academy. I'm not here to speak of the case in specifics. Because the case is yet to go before the hearing, it would be inappropriate to discuss specifics. I'm more than willing to discuss the Academies preventative measure or the climate of the academy. As prospective cadets and parents you should have a right to know the environment you're getting into. </p>
<p>This is an unfortunate situation. Theres certainly no denying that. However, I'd like to limit uninformed speculation at this point can only be more damaging to the victims and to 1/c Smith. The investigation is pretty much over. Coast Guard Investigative Services has been investigating these claims since they were first reported. Its now up to an Article 32 hearing to determine if the evidence warrants a court martial. </p>
<p>I dont wish to feed the rumor mill, however I think the AP article that most newspapers are using is full of inaccuracies; a better article can be found at the New London Day here: <a href="http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=cdb2a85b-0138-409a-9763-30a2ad79a906%5B/url%5D">http://www.theday.com/re.aspx?re=cdb2a85b-0138-409a-9763-30a2ad79a906</a> (Note: The Day forces you to register to read articles more than a day old. It's free, and the link will still work for those of you reading tomorrow if you register on their site.) The Hartford Courant has also been publishing several good articles. ( <a href="http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-cadetrape0217.artfeb17,0,2114542.story?page=1&coll=hc-headlines-home%5B/url%5D">http://www.courant.com/news/local/hc-cadetrape0217.artfeb17,0,2114542.story?page=1&coll=hc-headlines-home</a> )</p>
<p>Its important to remember that all the parties involved have rights. 1/c Smith is innocent until proven guilty and is being treated with respect, even though he has been separated from the rest of the cadets and is living across the river. The victims have a right not to have this blown up into a spectacle. I think the Academys reaction to this situation has been nothing but positive; protecting the victims, going through a through investigation of the accusations, and squashing undue rumors within the Cadet Corps. that would compromise the investigation. Theyve handled an unfortunate circumstance openly, not seeking to hide anything. In that way, its much more honorable than the incidents that occurred at our sister Academy a few years ago.</p>
<p>Now, there are questions that are much more important than the events that occurred. Questions like what can be done to minimize the risk? Is the Academy doing everything in its power to promote a safe living environment? And will my children be safe at the Academy?</p>
<p>The statistics show that rape and sexual assault are continuing problems ate our nations campuses. Numbers are difficult to gauge, given the stigma victims feel about reporting these crimes. One study suggests that within a six month questioning period the victimization rate at a normal college is 27.7 completed rapes for every 1000 female students. Statistics for other forms of sexual abuse and sexual assault are even higher. (The Sexual Victimization of College Women US. Department of Justice <a href="http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/182369.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/182369.pdf</a> ) Clearly, no place is perfectly safe. </p>
<p>The Academy has numerous ways to reduce the opportunity for sexual abuse, the motivation for doing so, and punishes severely any incident; as can be shown with the large amount of charges levied against 1/c Smith. The Academy is generally well supervised, during the day doors must be kept open and there are always people walking around. The OOD, a first class on duty, makes rounds making sure all is in accordance with the cadet regulations. Doors must be kept open at all times if a member of the opposite sex is in the room. Any sexual conduct inside the barracks, even hand holding between couples, is grounds for a Class One offense, the most serious administrative punishment. And in general I think the Academies commitment to Respect and Honor really does cause a positive change within people. Obviously, not everyone who makes it through here is perfect. But on the whole the Corps is disgusted over even the possibility one of our own could do something like this.</p>
<p>The Corps also have two resources that the Coast Guard fleet does not. The first is the CASA body, the other is anonymous reporting. CASA stands for Cadets Against Sexual Assault. This group is formed for the sole purpose of preventing attacks, counseling victims, and conducting Corps-wide training events to reduce the incidence of attacks. Any reports of rape or sexual assault made to a CASA member are strictly confidential. In the fleet, if you hear anything at all (say a friend comes to you for help) you are obligated by order of the Commandant to report the incident up the chain of command and to investigating bodies like CGIS. CASA circumvents that; if the victim wishes to remain anonymous they can. However this way they can remain private and still get the counseling and treatment that they need. Ideally, this will eventually lead to a story and a prosecution, but if not weve still helped the victim cope. This was one of the recommendations given by the investigating board covering the Air Force Academy abuses; however it's been part of our system since before those incidents came to light.</p>
<p>The Academy also has two trained clinical psychologists on staff certified to treat victims of sexual or physical abuse. In addition, the Chaplin Corps provide a strong faith bases resource for counseling. </p>
<p>In closing, this is a tragic case. The emotional hurt of the victims; the life of a promising young man; and the reputation of the Academy are all the worse for the alleged actions of the perpetrator. However, the reaction the Academy officials have made at every step has been appropriate, measured, and in keeping hit the high ideals of our service. Whatever the result of the Court Martial, people will still compare this to the Air Force Academy scandal. I just want to point out that the real failure in those scandals was one of leadership; of trying to cover up the truth. The Command staff at the Coast Guard Academy have acted with honor, in accordance with the law and with respect towards the alleged victims. And ultimately, I think people should focus on that difference.The unfortunate truth is that sexual assault is present throughout our society. We need to continue to focus on ways to drive it out of our academies and our societies, but I think the Academy is on the right track.</p>