The CIA failed to properly address and investigate sexual assault allegations within the agency, an investigation from the House Intelligence Committee has determined.
The bipartisan report, first obtained by Politico, alleges that there was "little to no accountability or punishment for confirmed perpetrators." It also taking aim at the reporting process inside the agency.
The House inquiry, which was conducted for more than a year, was first sparked by a female whistleblower alleging that she had been sexually assaulted inside the CIA headquarters. When the woman reported the assault, the agency did not respond to her complaints or punish her male colleagues, she complained.
Both the initial whistleblower and her assailant, Ashkan Bayatpour, no longer work at the agency. Bayatpour was convicted of sexual assault, while the woman was fired in what her lawyer has characterized as retaliation.
Since January 2023, more than 20 people with ties to the CIA testified before Congress that the agency had failed to appropriately respond to assault allegations.
"Over the course of the investigation, the committee discovered that the CIA failed to handle allegations of sexual assault and harassment within its workforce ... that such sensitive allegations warrant," read a summary issued by the House committee read.
During its investigation, the House committee determined that the CIA's reporting mechanism was deeply flawed and that the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity had "internal issues that rendered it unable to effectively engage in response efforts."
The EEO office allegedly discouraged victims from reportingassaults, while the reporting process did not grant people anonymity. The agency subsequently appointed a new head to EEO and hired additional staff, according to Politico.
Last July, the committee successfully pushed for new language in the Intelligence Authorization Act that would increase the number of options available for assault victims. Among those who testified before the committee was Virginia Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger, who formerly served as a CIA officer.
"It was just harrowing to hear Abigail talk about some of the things that she witnessed," said ranking committee member Jim Himes (D-Conn.). "It became clear that the solution here had to both be about modernizing and streamlining the support and accountability processes inside the CIA."
Himes and committee Chair Mike Turner (R-Ohio) released a joint statement praising the whistleblowers and the CIA leadership for their participation in the probe.
"Our committee has put in place significant legislative reforms to address failures, and we will continue to monitor progress to ensure there is no slippage in the agency's commitment to addressing sexual assault and harassment," the statement said.
There was no immediate response from the CIA.
