The hearing is called to order. Welcome everyone to this afternoons military personnel subcommittee hearing. The purpose of todays hearing is to receive an overview of the report on assessment, im sorry, Sexual Harassment and violence of the military Service Academies. And to understand the efforts of the academies have undertaken to prevent Sexual Assault we will also have the privilege of hearing from survivors who are attending a Service Academy and we thank them for being here today. The trust and confidence in their fellow Service Members in order to accomplish the difficult mission. The military Service Academies are told from the beginning. These crimes have no place in our society much less than our preeminent military Service Academies. Theyve dedicated numerous resources and time to improving Sexual Assault prevention and response. They have the prevention and valuesbased trading into every aspect of their curriculum. Its before being commissioned and in addition, the Service Academies have worked hard to ensure that all allegations are thoroughly investigated and perpetrated perpetrators are held accountable. There remains much work to be done. The report shows the rate has increased in all Service Academies while reports have decreased. In addition, the significant prevalence of Sexual Harassment, the data point that is new to the survey shows additional work is needed. We will hear from to panel this afternoon. We are honored to have with us survivors of Sexual Assault. I want to thank the witnesses for their bravery and testifying today. The testimony will give all of its important insights. The superintendents of the military academies and i look forward to hearing the reviews on the Sexual Assault report and also look forward to hearing about the new and existing programs as they are designed to prevent Sexual Assault. I would like to ask unanimous consent from Elizabeth Walker legislative counsel for the investigations and legislative division. This is an issue i care deeply about. Sexual assault in the academies is a scourge on the nation. We all know that the numbers of assault are far more than that of the women and men are victimized by Sexual Assaults both women and men by harassment at the academies. Creating a toxic culture that follows the students straight into military leadership. Survivors of Sexual Assault often leave the academy under their own volition or they are forced out depriving the military of future leaders. Perpetrators of these acts often go unpunished and graduate reinforcing this criminal behavior. This also emboldens them to continue to assault their fellow Service Members as they ascended the ranks. To break the cycle we need strong reforms to make clear that this behavior is not tolerated. In fact the only result in cases like this should be dismissed. Military leadership for decades testified that they are of one mind. They have zero tolerance for assault. Tens of thousands of survivors of these acts subsequent retaliation at times ineptitude of the chain of command makes a mockery of the stated policy. Words alone are just words. If we have any hope of stamping out the issue, the tone must be set at the academy. This isnt just about right and wrong, but being able to attract the very best served and readiness in our fighting force. Nothing short of the future of our military depends on us getting this right. The department of defense on annual harassment for Academic Year is 2015, 2016 show a complete failure in addressing this epidemic. 12 of women in the academies experience Sexual Assault, 12 . And nearly one half face persistent Sexual Harassment. Simply put, this is disgusting. Since the last report fewer students at the Service Academies have reported Sexual Harassment but the rates have increased. Both of these are trending in the wrong direction. One reason could be the ostracism of Sexual Assault victims. 47 of those that reported the unwanted contact experience social isolation and maltreatment. We must foster the students that have been sexually assaulted or harassed feel they can come forward without fear of retaliation. I would like to hear from the second Panel Witnesses on steps they are taking to reverse these trends to ensure those that entered the military ranks as leaders who bring a culture of respect and dignity to their service but before we hear from the Service Economies and the departments departments i want e the courageous survivors who have testified on the first panel. And he attended thannie attendey from 2009 to 2011. Secondclass sheila krane attends the academy and Stephanie Gross and our former cadets at the academy at west point. Some of the stories you will hear today are heartbreaking and revolting. They did nothing wrong by reporting their assault and yet their chain of command failed them and the chain of command that was supposed to actually protect them field. We cannot hold this in the countries most prestigious institutions. I look forward to hearing from the witnesses today. I ask unanimous consent members be allowed to participate in todays hearing after all the members have had an opportunity to ask questions is there any objection . Without objection, the subcommittee members will be recognized at the appropriate time for five minutes. We will give each witness an opportunity to present his or her testimony and each member an opportunity to question the witnesses for five minutes into the also respectfully remind the witnesses to summarize. Your statements will be a part a part of the hearing record while we welcome the first sheila krane United States academy. Ms. Arianna former cadets at the academy, former midshipmen you may now make your opening remarks. Thank you ladies and gentlemen for allowing me the opportunity to speak of my experience in this process. Im here as an individual and i do not represent the views or opinions of the United StatesNaval Academy. I have experienced unwanted contact about the incident. The case concluded the individual was dismissed and is no longer a midshipmen at the Naval Academy. The whole process was difficult i am confident in saying that the resources that were and still are provided to me helped me through the healing process through this day. You are now recognized for five minutes. I am a former cadets with the United Military academy and i attended west point from july 2013 until i was discharged in 2015 where i went on to attend the university. First i would like to think the congresswoman and her staff for having me here. I left the day that i was discharged from hospital suffering from a stress induced high blood pressure. I found out al all of my belongd been packed without my knowledge and the coldest january i was left with a pair of shorts, jackets and sandals for my return home to indiana. I was only then escorted to the plane because it was shipped off with my belongings. When i boarded the plane i was escorted off and was told the captain that was retaliating against me wanted to speak to me. He asked me if i wanted to return to the hotel and i replied i wanted to stay but i was confused at what he meant and i had no money to pay for it or clothing. He hung up and took my answer as a no. After i hung up i received a phone call from those on west point asking why i said no asking if i wanted to stay a cadets and i realized only then why there was the call from the captain. If i didnt know my answer would have been yes and despite what had happened to me i would rather have stayed and then forced out. My exboyfriend who was caucasian was referring to the movie jingo unchained because he was in a relationship with me. The team went to puerto rico where they made remarks about my body, how my bathing suit fit and talked openly about having sex with me. I protested this and faced escalating reprisal. Its supposed to be a group of individuals with skills required to complete its task. If we are not able to simply swim together how do you fight together to defend this country . The head coach went on to punish me by forcing me to practice alone for two weeks before the biggest championship. The assistant coach decided to take it upon himself to make sure that i was properly train trained. The navy admiral shook my hand and congratulations and said to me he won this time. I explained to prove the point no one could bring me down and that day they didnt. We are taught to always protect your battle buddies and never leave them behind. The office substantiated my case and i found the sharp office the point was substantiated. I then became friends with the cadet. I solved the distraught state that she was in with new bruises forming on her neck and chest she told me repeatedly she would never do this again and she had no faith should be taken care of. Having trust in the system i urged her to report and i told her we needed to do this for others after us. Even though i was left behind i refuse to do the same to her. We need to set an example. The system failed once again as my friend and i retaliated against. Prohibited from socializing with her and forced to sign a confidentiality form. Subjected to arbitrary discipline and followed a whistleblower complaint. Eventually in january of 2015 i thought i had no option but to resign although the processing of resignation normally takes a month or so line was expedited to one day and to my detriment. When stephanie tried to visit me in the hospital she was confronted and told the only way to remain in the hospital is if she admitted herself for psychiatric evaluation. They made clear that i wa it clo be punished during a time of uncertainty. I wrote a Resignation Letter and this was submitted with all levels of the leadership. In that letter i write i dont want to be i be any place that s perpetrators to remain in the rains. I dont believe in double standards. They are not held to the same standard or held at all. To protect my own wellbeing and goals considering these issues. In that discussion you told me that would be a great asset. Instead, the numbers and reports doubled since i left. Two years ago they asked why we were here and the answer was to help to prevent what happened to us from others. If we can come up with a solution that needs fixed for the future cadets and officers. I would like to return to the academy to complete what i started. I can be an asset to others and when he said to me i could be a great leader and officer in the military. Thank you. I would like to thank the congresswomans office for extending an invitation regarding my time as a cadet. I still have a great love for west point and respected and admired the leaders. I was discharged in 2015. Over the two years and eight months being at west pointswitched between companies a total of four times. Because of this i get a little stability and leadership and it contributed greatly to my difficulties at west point. My first assault was reported by medical personnel in the spring of my freshman year. I was recovering from an emergency Pelvic Surgery and found to be related to the assault. My surgeon advised me that he was unsure due to the inflammation and potential of scarring if i would ever be able to bear children. I thought reporting that only cause further damage emotionally and ive requested that it remained restricted without investigation and was later reported by the commander as he became aware of the incident and had to report these. The next day they pressured me for a name telling me i was a strong woman of duty and honor i would comply. I feel my case would have been restricted. There was insufficient evidence to find the contact. The investigators refused to take my clothing for testing or a blood alcohol level of my essay length contributing to the decision of the case. The addition of the special victims was increasingly helpful in this case. In the months prior to the resignation i was subjected to the actions of a pattern that indicated reprisal. Every time i would initiate a report i would receive a new punishment from drug testing that was negative. I became desperate and not surprisingly it was damaging after missing many courses during the investigation and i began to feel i had no other option but to leave the academy. I was hoping i could speak to me to speak to them in lower settings to ask for the mentorship and find out why my position became so distorted. My entire chain of command behind me. I then asked the Lieutenant General i emailed you in desperation to let me speak with you and privately before you make decisions on this. He denied my request. I decided the chance to add context to the work you chose te to judge me by. By somebody else that i found one captain had influence almost every factor of my case. I wanted to tell you i was sorry for the mistakes i did meet and i looked up to you as a reader. Even then i didnt deserve to be treated in the way that i was. I later found from an agent that you learned greatly from me as a cadet and instructed them to protect me in any way they cou could. Unfortunately, i never heard these things. My perspective each time i reported in action i received punishment and to confirm my suspicions i wasnt wanted with your institution. If i felt my chain of command cared for me i would have felt differently. The chain of command had given up on me to leave the institution with the desire to serve my country. I do not blame west point as an institution. I blame the failure of leadership that relied on the loyalty that they had ever spoken to. Ive been allowed to tell my side of the leadership and have been able to stay. A system of investigating the complaints that weve great power in the hands of one individual or single individuals motivated by the institutional goal is not an effective mechanism for victims. After signing my oath the first thing given to me next with him on the board i am an american soldier i am a member of the team and i serve the people of the United States and i live the army values. Ive always place the Mission First and never quit or leave a comment. These are the words that inspired me to continue even when i have nothing to gain and everything to lose. I believe actions speak louder than words and simply coming here to state a problem does nothing to guarantee the solution without action. With the office i decided to reapply for admission to the academy to finish at the end of 2012. I believe that the military and west point made positive strides to fix the problem and understand. But the Service Academy specifically shoulacademyspecife models for the nation and the world. We were part of a group of individuals that were frenzied reports of Sexual Harassment and out of the four of us, none of them remain. West point and all the Service Academies changed for the future of the armed forces. There is much more work to be done. Thank you for your time. In 2008 inducted into the United StatesNaval Academy prior to acceptance my parents were concerned for my safety given the Sexual Assault scandal and during the campus visit my parents and they were told by the Naval Academy representatives including my coaches and the Athletic Director but the Naval Academy didnt have a Sexual Assault problem and i would be safe. Shortly after, i experienced horrible and traumatic events. I was raped not only once but twice. Both times by fellow classmates in the company who i have to face every single day. My emotional state began to deteriorate. During my evaluation i told the position i had been raised who didnt ask when or where that had occurred that they check the box and prescribed me an antidepressant. The culture is that of the boys only club where men are considered superior to women and women are referred to as dubs that stands for dumb ugly bitch. After two and a half years of emotional hell i broke down and was sent by the chain of command to a psychiatric ward at the hospital. I spent three days there diagnosed with personality disorder by a practitioner not a medical license doctor. If i could get a transfer out of the company i would be okay and i madi needed to request a free semester to my Company Commander who refused to transfer me every semester. I thought my life slipping away and as a final effort then shipment captain robert clark. Upon discussing my situation he told me to grow up and within days began the separation process. In july of 2011, and academic review board was cold which i thought was unusual given my Overall Academic record. During the hearing members of the board openly discussed my sentiment and medical record all of which without my consent. And in the end used m by medical treatment as a basis for my separation. They found it easier to label me as having a personality disorder than to treat me for the trauma of being raped. It seems the marine corps leave no man behind does not apply to the men and women who are raped instead they are frequently left behind to deal with the pain, anguish and longterm emotional stress. While the rapists continue without any consequence. The navy continues to defend th