Snowe seeks inquiry at Air Force Academy

U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe, R-Maine, on Sunday renewed her call for a “thorough and swift” investigation into allegations of widespread sexual harassment and abuse at the Air Force Academy.

Snowe said it would be up to Congress to take action if academy officials do not act independently.

“Charges of sexual harassment at the U.S. Air Force Academy have persisted for more than a month, bolstered in news accounts this morning of an atmosphere of fear, sexual harassment and even rape,” Snowe said. “The Air Force must act immediately to eliminate an atmosphere at the academy that permits harassment.”

During the scandal, dozens of female cadets have alleged they were reprimanded or ostracized for reporting sexual assaults.

Air Force investigators have said at least 56 allegations of sexual abuse at the academy have been reported over the past 10 years, and that there are probably many more female cadets who have not come forward.

Several other members of Congress have also called for an investigation.

In response to the allegations, Air Force leaders have sent letters to parents of incoming cadets saying they are doing everything possible to protect their children.

The academy, located about 15 miles from downtown Colorado Springs, Colo., first admitted women in 1976.

Today about 18 percent of the school’s 4,200 cadets are female.