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The
moves follow a U.S. Senate intelligence committee letter in
April requesting that the CIA inspector general investigate
charges by some CIA female officers that the agency "grossly
mishandled" allegations of sexual assault and harassment.
"We have no higher priority than taking care of our people,”
Burns said in a statement. "We will continue to act quickly and
systematically to address concerns, and to improve our approach
to these critical issues. More reforms will be coming."
Burns announced the appointment of Taleeta Jackson, a
psychologist with 18 years of experience in victim advocacy and
sexual assault response and prevention, as the new head of the
agency's Sexual Assault and Response Office.
She formally oversaw the U.S. Navy's sexual assault and
prevention program at more than 70 installations.
“I am pleased that Dr. Jackson has joined our team and will
bring her extensive experience to this crucial new role," Burns
said. "I have personally met with several affected officers to
hear their concerns and solicit their feedback on ways we can
improve as an agency. I have heard these concerns loud and
clear."
The CIA also is moving to streamline procedures for addressing
incidents of sexual assault and workplace harassment, including
establishing an internal task force that will be advised by
outside experts, the statement said.
By the end of the month, the agency will issue "new, clear
guidance" on how personnel report incidents of sexual assault
and harassment, it said.
(Reporting by Jonathan Landay; Editing by David Gregorio)
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