Top Air Force officials have begun gathering information about sexual assaults at the Air Force Academy. The investigation, ordered by the secretary of the Air Force, is under way after a 7NEWS investigation documented women cadets who had been raped and were later punished after reporting their assaults.

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AFA Investigation: Alleged Rape Victims Speak Up, Punished -- Marie's Story Part 1Part 2 Part 1Part 2Part 3Part 4

7NEWS Investigative Reporter John Ferrugia has the story of another victim.

She was a top student who wanted to work in military intelligence, maybe even become a spy. But all her training at the Air Force Academy didn't prepare her for an invitation to the room of an upperclassman, one who was her military superior.

"I wasn't expecting to stay there," Marie said.

It not only changed her life, it may destroy her career.

"I wasn't expecting to get trashed or anything like that," Marie said.

In fact, the cadet who invited her was a member of her athletic team. She trusted him. But when she arrived, there were two other male cadets in the room.

"I felt like I had more control over the situation than I did. I walked in and I was like, 'I don't know these people, but I can leave anytime I want,'" Marie said.

But after her teammate encouraged her to drink, she found herself woozy and in unfamiliar territory.

"I had never been in a situation where I had gotten sick from alcohol," Marie said. "I didn't know my limit. I didn't know how much is a lot for a girl was, or for a girl my size.

Now debilitated, Marie was raped.

"My mind was just reeling from it," Marie said.

The next day, she went to a local hospital where evidence was taken in a rape kit. Then she filed an official report with the Air Force Academy.

Marie knew she had violated cadet rules by drinking on campus and going to the room of an upperclassman. But she also knew there was an amnesty rule in place to encourage women to report sexual assault.

"I realized it was a crime. And I wasn't even thinking about disciplinary problems at the academy. I didn't even care. I wanted to report a crime because to me that was more important," Marie said.

"The amnesty program is set up so you can tell your story, tell the authorities that you've been assaulted and not have to worry about the cadet rules such as drinking in the dorms, who you're hanging out with or even underage drinking," said Ann.

Ann is presently an Air Force cadet and is a rape survivor. She has been trained through the academy's sex assault program, called CASIE, to help victims.

She said because amnesty is not a right of victims it is often used against them.

"I think it's used more as a tool, as a bargaining chip. Because in writing it says 'may,' 'upper leadership may grant amnesty.' So that means ,'We can, we can't. It's up to us,'" Ann said.

Marie, who is now attending college in the Northeast, found that to be true the hard way. After a short investigation by the Air Force Office of Special Investigation, they handed her several reprimands.

She received seven of the most serious reprimands and punishments possible including one for sexual activity in cadet dorms, drinking alcohol and fraternization with upperclassmen.

"They tried to convince me it was my fault. They told me repeatedly that's how I would be perceived," Marie said. "They wanted to put blame on somebody and it was hard to put it on three guys as opposed to putting it on one freshman girl."

"I am not aware of cases where a sexual assault victim came forward and said, 'I was assaulted' and was later disciplined for having sexual activity in the dorms related to the assault," said Lt. Col. Shawn Powell.

Powell is the director of the academy's counseling center and oversees those who advocate for victims.

Powell:I could see that would be a troubling issue.
Ferrugia: Is it one you've brought up?
Powell: It's not one I've put forward, no.
Ferrugia: Is it one you think would be a legitimate issue to bring up to leadership?
Powell: To deserve further consideration (nodding yes).

In fact, Marie's case was so disturbing to the cadet counselor who encouraged her to report it that he resigned from the sex assault program.

He said in a written letter, "I encouraged her to come forward. This was a grave mistake on my part. I should never have trusted the Air Force Office of Special Investigation ... I should have never trusted the command representatives ... It is my firm belief that the victim would be better off (both professionally and emotionally) today if she had never come forward."

"The whole reason I did report was because I didn't feel it was my fault ... you know, it's the military -- integrity, everything else. They should take care of me. They should right the wrong. They didn't," Marie said.

Marie is now living at home awaiting review of her case. And like other rape victims, she is still dealing with the trauma.

Coming up -- 7NEWS will bring you word from the Air Force on what new steps are going to be taken to deal with sex assaults at the academy.

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