Alaska National Guard unit being investigated for allegations of sexual misconduct

http://www.mcclatchydc.com/2013/10/27/206531/alaska-national-guard-unit-being.html



An Alaska Army National Guard CH-54 Skycrane helicopter carries a 9,000-pound ice smasher during the whale rescue attempt near Point Barrow in October 1988.

Alaska National Guard unit being investigated for allegations of sexual misconduct
By Sean Cockerham — McClatchy Washington Bureau
Published: October 27, 2013 Updated 1 hour ago

WASHINGTON — Current and former members of the Alaska National Guard say there’s serious sexual misconduct within the ranks and an investigation of recruiters accused of rape is now underway.

Lt. Col. Jane Wawersik, a former Anchorage police officer, is investigating allegations of sexual assault as well as other offenses, such as inappropriate relationships with new recruits, by members of the Alaska Army Guard’s recruiting and retention unit headquartered at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson. Members of the guard said other soldiers are also under investigation.

Sgt. Rosa Ralls, a currently serving member of the Alaska National Guard who reported being raped in 2009 by a former member of the military, said the sexual assault problem is severe.

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The two chaplains said sexual assault victims have been coming to them for years, and that the majority were assaulted by fellow guard members. The chaplains said victims don’t trust their commanders to help because of a history of mishandled complaints, in which victims felt that nothing was being done.