The Central Intelligence Agency says it has taken action to improve how the agency handles sexual assault cases after House lawmakers began investigating complaints that the agency had mishandled sexual misconduct allegations.
The CIA appointed a new director for the office that oversees sexual assault complaints, Taleeta Jackson, a psychologist who served in a similar post in the U.S. Navy, and plans to form an internal task force that will seek advice from outside experts, Director William Burns said in a statement.
“I have personally met with several affected officers to hear their concerns and solicit their feedback on ways we can improve as an agency,” Burns said. “I have heard these concerns loud and clear, and Dr. Jackson’s appointment is just one of several steps we are taking to address them.”
The announcement came after the Republican chairman and ranking Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee wrote to the CIA asking about allegations the agency had failed to respond properly to allegations of sexual assault or misconduct.
“Sexual assault and sexual harassment have no place in the intelligence community. We must protect our men and women bravely serving our country and punish the individuals who commit assaults,” Rep. Mike Turner, R-OH, and Rep. Jim Himes, D-Conn, said in a statement Thursday.
“We appreciate the CIA’s willingness to work with the House Intelligence Committee and their commitment to implementing meaningful changes within the agency that address this serious matter,” the lawmakers said.
Politico first reported on the allegations and the House committee’s inquiry.
A female employee approached the House committee in January saying the CIA failed to punish a male co-worker who allegedly assaulted her and tried to forcibly kiss her, according to Kevin Carroll, a partner with the law firm Hughes Hubbard and Reed who is representing one of the employees pro bono. Other employees have since reached out to the committee with complaints about how the agency responded to their cases, Carroll said.
Carroll called the CIA announcement “a great first step” and praised the agency for appointing Jackson to lead the agency’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office.
But Carroll said the CIA will have to resolve how to manage future criminal cases to ensure justice for victims while safeguarding national security secrets.
“It’s not something that CIA, which is not a law enforcement agency, can handle on its own,” said Carroll, who said he worked for the spy agency earlier in his career.
Carroll has alleged his client and other employees were discouraged from contacting law enforcement about sexual misconduct or that they were advised what to say to authorities.
Without commenting on specific allegations, a CIA official said the agency is making clear to employees that they can contact law enforcement about sexual misconduct as well as report an incident internally.
The official added that discussions with employees made clear the current process for sexual assault complaints is “confusing” and “isn’t working.”
