Wisconsin National Guard Head Defends Sexual Assault Policies

The Wisconsin National Guard’s commander is defending his organization’s sexual assault and harassment policies to a powerful state lawmaker.

Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald asked Maj. Gen. Donald Dunbar for a review of Guard policies and recommendations for strengthening them in February after he met with a female soldier who alleges she was harassed and the perpetrator wasn’t punished.

Dunbar sent Fitzgerald a letter March 7. He wrote victims can choose to disclose the incident without starting an investigation or notifying the perpetrator’s commander. They also can file a report without confidentiality. Those reports go to the state Justice Department. Based on that agency’s investigation Dunbar can take disciplinary action.