VMI Director Responds to Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

[ad_1]

LEXINGTON, Va. (WHSV) – The Superintendent of Military Institutes in Virginia, Retired U.S. Army Major-General Cedric T. Wins, released a statement in response to a Washington Post article regarding allegations of assault sexual and harassment at VMI.

In the article, female cadets presented themselves anonymously, alleging attacks. Read his full statement below.

Cadet Corps Members:

When I started my role as Superintendent last November, I stood before you and said that we will not tolerate acts of racism, sexism, homophobia and xenophobia. Today, the Washington Post ran an article detailing allegations of sexual assault and harassment at VMI. The allegations in the story are unacceptable on the part of any VMI cadet, and no VMI cadet, teacher, staff, or civilian should be subjected to the type of behavior detailed in the article. The fact that this type of behavior comes from individuals who have worn the VMI uniform is disgusting.

Your behavior, whether online, by mail, or elsewhere, is a reflection of the Virginia Military Institute. Being a VMI alumnus is synonymous with being a leader of character, whether in the military, industry, politics or civic life. As I said when I arrived, we define who we are as VMI.

For cadets who have been sexually assaulted or harassed, VMI is committed to your recovery and success. VMI makes a number of resources available to you. Professional counselors from the Cadet Counseling Center are always available. Additionally, Ms.Susan LeMert, the institute’s new Title IX Inspector General / Coordinator, is available to put you in touch with additional resources or discuss options for prosecuting charges through the Title IX process or through the law courts.

Over the past seven years, the VMI Title IX process for reporting, investigating and adjudicating sexual assault and harassment complaints has been reviewed by the United States Department of Education Office for Civil Rights as well as the Commonwealth of Virginia in the part of the recent audit ordered by the governor. Both the Office for Civil Rights and the Commonwealth have found that VMI’s policies and procedures comply with federal and state laws and regulations. The recent Commonwealth of Virginia audit cited VMI as an institution committed to ensuring that its cadets, faculty and staff are free from discrimination and harassment and to respond appropriately when they are not.

At VMI, one reported rape or sexual assault is one too many. Our job as an institution is to ensure that cadets have confidence that their concerns or complaints will be addressed in a timely and compassionate manner without fear of reprisal. This is my commitment to you.

Very respectfully,

MG wins

Copyright 2021 WHSV. All rights reserved.

[ad_2]