A Sharper Look at Zero Tolerance: Reports of Sexual Assault Rock the United States Air Force Academy

This case describes an investigative effort and publicity to change a culture of sexual assault and rape at the United States Air Force Academy, and its outcome. The allegations began in 2002, with a letter written by senior Jessica Brakey to a number of government and media entities detailing her own assault and experience. The case provides background information on the Academy, Academy Superintendent John Dallager, and the history of women in the Air Force. It describes the process for sexual assault reporting in the Academy and the role of the media in publicizing awareness that led to the investigation, then examines the actions of the Fowler Commission set up to investigate, ultimately arguing that the sexual assault response program in the Air Force was not working. The case would be useful in classroom discussion of sexual and reproductive health, gender equity, and executive leadership training programs.

The case is part of a series produced by the Harvard Kennedy School (HKS) Case Program, hosted by the HKS Strengthening Learning and Teaching Excellence (SLATE) initiative, the world’s largest producer and repository of case studies designed for teaching about how government works and how public policy is made. Each case in the series is designed to train public leaders, and introduces actual policy dilemmas along with data to equip students to learn how to apply the rigor of quantitative analysis in the real world.

This case may be purchased for a nominal fee; registered educators may obtain a free review copy. Online supplemental resources include short free documents and videos on how to teach with the case method, as well as downloadable related tip sheets and questions for class discussion.