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April 25, 2023 | 8:30 PM
A female army commander is under investigation for allegedly sexually harassing a male subordinate after allegedly “kissing him forcibly” and grabbing him under his belt.
Colonel Megann Sullivan, commander of the 5th SFAB’s 5th Brigade Engineer Battalion, is under investigation for a pattern of assault and harassment against men under observation. According to Military.com.
Sullivan forcibly kissed two male subordinates, then grabbed the men “below the belt” without their consent and assaulted them, sources told the outlet.
In addition to the two sexual assaults, the commander is also accused of sexually harassing several of his subordinates, according to publications.
According to 2021 Department of Defense data, just 10% of military sexual assault incidents involve male victims.
However, the number of male victims is estimated at about 14,000 per year, and the number of male victims is likely higher as many cases go unreported due to stigma and fear of being ostracized. There is a nature.
Same year, reports of sexual assault in the military 13% YoY increase — largely increased by incidents within the Army.
Sexual assaults involving Army soldiers surged nearly 26% in 2021.
Sources told Military.com that alcohol abuse may have played a role in the incident. Sullivan did not respond to the magazine’s request for comment.
Sullivan — who became the first woman Commanding the Security Forces Assistance Brigade (SFAB) in June 2021 appears to be still in her position.
“I have been in the Army for over 20 years as an engineer. Diversity and inclusion make us stronger,” Sullivan said during his appointment.
“I love to see young women know that you can change how you look and behave and succeed. Don’t let it.”
The 5th SFAB’s Engineer Battalion consists of a team of engineers advising allies in a number of Indo-Pacific countries such as Japan, Mongolia and Thailand.
Sullivan isn’t the only high-ranking officer in the brigade to be investigated.
Her superior and brigade commander, Colonel Jonathan Chong, was suspended after authorities investigated accusations that he abused his power and created a toxic environment to belittle his subordinates, according to Military.com. rice field.