There were three cases of sexual assault and two instances of sexual harassment involving members of the Vermont National Guard in the last fiscal year, according to a report released Wednesday.
Reports of sexual misconduct included an allegation of rape, inappropriate touching and an unwanted sexually explicit voicemail.
The Vermont National Guard is required to submit a report to the Legislature annually on sexual misconduct. Last January, Gov. Phil Scott requested the adjutant general conduct a top-to-bottom review of the Guard’s sexual assault policies and procedures after VTDigger published a seven-part series on misconduct in the Guard, including allegations of sexual assault, harassment and retaliation against a whistleblower.
In a memo included with the legislative report, Adjutant General Greg Knight, who was elected shortly after the VTDigger series, said the Guard has “created a climate where survivors of sexual assault are coming forward with confidence that their reports will be taken seriously.”
The variety of initiatives and programs the Guard created in an attempt to rectify past issues include hosting discussions about gender equity inspired by Sheryl Sandberg’s “Lean In” and the creation of an anonymous reporting platform for assault survivors.
“As each year passes, we will continue our commitment to improve our processes, programs and response capabilities to ensure the members of the Vermont National Guard feel empowered to address and intervene without fear of retaliation,” Knight wrote.
Multiple state and legislative officials said Thursday that they had not yet reviewed the report, but a committee hearing is expected on it early next month.
The report documents three incidents of sexual assault between Oct. 1, 2018, and Sept. 30, 2019, in which the perpetrator was a member of the Vermont National Guard.
There is scant detail in the report about the cases or incidents other than the status of the investigation. There are no names attached to any of the cases to protect the identities of the parties involved.
One case involved a female Guard member who reported she was raped by a male colleague. It is unclear if the case, identified only by a number, has been resolved or referred to prosecutors for criminal investigation.
In another case reported last fiscal year, a male Guard member alleged he was the victim of “abusive sexual contact” by a female. That case has not yet been investigated by the Vermont National Guard, according to the report.
In the third incident that took place in that 12-month span, a male Guard member allegedly sexually assaulted a female civilian. The Vermont National Guard does not have jurisdiction over non-military personnel, and the report says the case is pending civil action and that military action would follow.
The Guard’s sexual assault response coordinator also reviewed four reports of sexual assault that took place during a previous year, including an allegation of “abusive sexual contact” in fiscal year 2003.
There were also two reported incidents of sexual harassment during fiscal year 2019.
One case involved a male Guard member who “unintentionally” left a sexually explicit and “offensive” voicemail with a female peer. The Vermont National Guard reports a meeting between the victim and the perpetrator was “successfully facilitated,” but does not give any more detail.
Scott told reporters Thursday he had not reviewed the Guard’s report, but that he supported Knight’s efforts.
“I believe that what we’re doing, the steps we’re taking — Gen. Knight has been involved — is a step forward,” Scott said.
In the last decade, sexual assault reports in the Guard hit a peak in fiscal year 2016, when there were 12. Six sexual assaults were reported in fiscal year 2017, and eight the following year.
Rep. Tom Stevens, D-Waterbury, chair of the House Committee on General, Housing, and Military Affairs, said he, like the governor, had not yet read the report but is planning to and expects to hold a hearing on Feb. 5.
Rep. Jean O’Sullivan, D-Burlington, who has long pushed for reform and oversight of the Vermont National Guard, said she also had not yet read the legislative report, but intended to in the comings days.
“It’s my weekend reading,” she said.
Xander Landen contributed reporting.
