Wisconsin National Guard: a poor report card from the Bureau

The National Guard Bureau has issued a disturbing report on the performance of the Wisconsin National Guard with respect to sexual assault and harassment reporting procedures, investigation protocols and accountability. From the Executive Summary:

     The Team determined there were a number of gaps and deficiencies in the Wisconsin National Guard’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response and Equal Opportunity Programs which made these programs less effective often leaving victims and others involved in the program with inadequate care and support. Aspects of these programs were not in compliance with DoD, Service, and NGB policy and as such were being implemented without the proper resourcing and oversight. The Team also found the Wisconsin National Guard’s policy of conducting internal, command-directed investigations of sexual assault allegations to be in direct violation of Department of Defense, Department of the Army, Department of the Air Force, and Chief, National Guard Bureau directives, regulations, and policies. 

     The team's review of Wisconsin sexual assault investigative files revealed numerous deficiencies that compromised the quality, accuracy, and legality of the investigations. This impacted the quality of the investigations in three ways. First, not all Wisconsin National Guard sexual assault investigators possessed the requisite skills, experience, and training to handle special victims’ crimes. Second, the lack of program oversight impacted the resourcing, timeliness, and thoroughness of the investigations. Third, the investigations did not include sufficient administrative oversight.

Coverage by intrepid Capital Times journalist Katelyn Ferral:

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/2019/12/05/investigator-rips-wisconsin-national-guard-response-sexual-assault/2614252001/

https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/investigations/2019/12/09/wisconsin-national-guard-boss-resigns-after-report-assault-response/2631914001/

https://madison.com/ct/news/local/govt-and-politics/the-four-horsemen-wisconsin-national-guard-s-own-investigation-describes-a-culture-of-sexual-misconduct/article_97140e8a-b360-5aad-8dc7-bcfec7e2c923.html