Lawsuit Claims Rapes at Marine Barracks

Eight current and former U.S. service members today alleged that they were sexually assaulted, and accused U.S. military officials of condoning the “staggering” number of attacks. In the new federal lawsuit, two former Marine Corps officers give graphic accounts of rape that allegedly occurred at the U.S. Marine Barracks in Washington, D.C. Ariana Klay, a Naval Academy graduate and Iraq war veteran, says she was gang-raped at the Barracks in Aug. 2010. Elle Helmer, the former Barracks public information officer, charges she was raped by a superior there in March 2006. Marine Barracks officials dispute the charges, saying they were “thoroughly investigated” and found to be unsubstantiated. Both women were accused of misconduct — including fraternizing with other officers and excessive drinking — and have since left the Marines, they said.

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