Rape scandal reported at Air Force Academy. (Newswatch).

After four U.S. Senators called for an investigation of rape charges by female cadets at the U.S. Air Academy in Colorado Springs, the Defense Department plans to investigate all U.S. military academies, including those for the Navy, Army and Merchant Marine, CNN reported on March 19, 2003.

As the scandal at the Air Force Academy expanded, leaders had ordered a review of how the academy handles complaints. A 17-member team of Air Force investigators spent about two weeks at the academy and recommended individual counselors for victims, greater authority to officers to monitor relations between the sexes and separate dorm areas for the sexes.

Critics of the last proposal said integrating the sexes in the military--in units, living areas and work details--seemed to reduce sexual assaults because women were "more accepted and respected for their capabilities."

After reporting rapes, the female cadets allegedly were treated as though they were lying, crazy or promiscuous. Other victims learned to keep silent, and most quietly left the academy.

How widespread is the problem? At least 56 allegations of rape or sexual assault have been made in the past 10 years, and officials believe there may be a hundred more who have not come forward. They have resulted in punishment for 21 male cadets for rape and other sex-related crimes: five went to jail, eight were expelled, eight were reprimanded, one was cleared and one still faces charges.

The academy set up a hotline that got at least 99 complaints, but most female cadets reportedly were afraid to use it because its staff was fellow cadets. One former cadet said, "I kept it all inside because the first thing you learn is to keep your mouth shut and not make waves. Reporting to the hot line could be like broadcasting it over campus. You never know."