WASHINGTON (AP) - The Latest on Sen. Martha McSally(all times local):
6:15 p.m.
An Air Force spokeswoman says the Air Force is appalled and “deeply sorry” after Senator Martha McSally said she was raped by a superior officer.
Capt. Carrie Volpe says the criminal actions reported by McSally Wednesday before the Senate Armed Services subcommittee “violate every part of what it means to be an Airman.”
She says the Air Force stands behind McSally and all victims of sexual assault, and the Air Force is committed to eliminating “reprehensible behavior” and “breach of trust.”
McSally was the first female fighter pilot to fly in combat and served 26 years.
The Arizona Republican says she didn’t report the assault because she didn’t trust the system, and was ashamed and confused. McSally isn’t naming the officer she says raped her.
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2:45 p.m.
Sen. Martha McSally, the first female Air Force fighter pilot to fly in combat, says she was sexually assaulted by a superior officer, and later, when she tried to talk about it to military officials, she “felt like the system was raping me all over again.”
The Arizona Republican, a 26-year military veteran, made the disclosure at a Senate hearing on the military’s efforts to prevent sexual assaults and improve the response when they occur. Lawmakers also heard from other service members who spoke of being sexually assaulted and humiliated while serving their country.
McSally said she did not report being raped because she did not trust the system, and she said she was ashamed and confused.
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