WASHINGTON -- (originally aired 10 p.m., March 26, 2003)

There will be a change in the top leadership and policy at the Air Force Academy.

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AFA Shakeup Detailed

The announcement follows a 7NEWS investigation into sexual assaults that has rocked the very foundation of one of the nation's most prestigious military institutions.

And, there's another major development: evidence that some academy officials may have been aware of the problem for years.

7NEWS investigator John Ferrugia is in Washington with this exclusive new development.

Ferrugia: While the current top brass is going to be replaced, the question is: how they and leadership for the past several years did not know there was a problem with sexual assault at the academy?

The answer is: They did know.

When it comes to the problems of sexual assault at the Air Force Academy, senior Air Force official say it's a culture accepting of sexual assault that is to blame.

As a way of changing that culture, Air Force secretary James Roche is replacing the academy leadership, including Superintendent John Dallager and Commandant of Cadets, General Taco Gilbert.

"We want to have a change. We want to have people think differently," said James Roche,Sec.of the Air Force."We have to have our selected people, because we are ultimately responsible to the President, the Secretary of Defense, the Congress, (and) the American people for this school. We ant our team in there."

Ferrugia: But, while the current superintendent is in part to blame, we have obtained air force academy documents which show that leadership as far back as 1997 were told sexual assaults and even harassment, were serious problems at the academy and women were afraid to report it.

An academy "climate survey" was completed in 1997. It involved 750 students -- including 127 women.

Among the questions asked: Have you ever been sexually assaulted since you started attending (the academy)?

15 percent of the women said "yes."
2 percent of the men also said "yes."

Another question: In the past year, have you been sexually assaulted?

10 percent of the women said "yes."
2 percent of men also answered affirmatively.

These assaults included rape, attempted rape and being fondled or petted.

75 percent of the women said they were afraid of reprisal.

What's more, the survey indicates that all the women who anonymously noted a sexual assault also noted they had been assaulted by another cadet.

We took the survey to Sen. Wayne Allard, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"I am looking at some pretty astounding figures here," said Allard

Ferrugia: "What does that tell you about the management of the academy? Allard: "It means they haven't been paying attention."

Indeed, the surveys are taken every year, including last year and are explained in detail to top commanders at the academy, including the superintendent.

Air Force officials said since our written request for the records last month, the inspector general is now reviewing them -- and that could lead to disciplinary action.

"If the IG tells us there are specific elements of accountability we can point to specifically, then we will take action on that," said Gen.John Jumper.

"I do think that the leadrship needs to be held accountable and frankly this is astounding," said Allard.

The Senate Armed Services Committee will bring both Roche and Jumper in to testify Monday.

And the academy surveys, which seem to indicate a serious problem over several years, are sure to be a major topic.