Reports of dozens of sexual assaults near the University of Montana have led to claims that local law enforcement hasn’t responded as seriously as they should. Now the U.S. Justice Department is stepping in to review efforts of police, county prosecutors, and university officials.
In Missoula, home to the University of Montana (UM), as many as 80 alleged assaults have occurred in the past 3 years, and more recently nearly a dozen of these assaults involved UM students.
For some, there is a growing concern that a flawed system puts local women at greater risk, as some claim a pattern of gender discrimination, clumsy policies, and even harassment in reaction to rape allegations.
In a statement announcing the federal probe, Attorney General Eric Holder called claims of poorly handled sexual assault charges “very disturbing.” According to him, the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigation is to ensure that the university and local law enforcement are doing what is necessary to combat these crimes, without discrimination.
“We take that responsibility seriously,” he said.
The investigation includes a review of all area officials responsible for protecting women against sexual violence, as well as those obligated to examine and prosecute assault charges. But the DOJ made clear that they weren’t targeting anyone in particular.
In a Missoula news conference this week, Thomas Perez, assistant attorney general for the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division, specified that this was a broad probe, but not a criminal one.
“Our focus is on systemic issues, Perez said. ”That is, do the university and the law enforcement agencies have the necessary policies and practices in place to protect women in a comprehensive and integrated manner.”
According to Perez, the Justice Department has studied the case and interviewed numerous people involved, but hasn’t drawn any conclusions. Federal investigators say they still want to talk to victims, community leaders, and officials to understand what went wrong, and what could be done better.
