Contact: [email protected] or 608-219-7443
MADISON — Gov. Tony Evers also announced today that Brigadier General Laurie Farris of the New Hampshire National Guard will oversee the implementation of the Wisconsin National Guard’s corrective action plan required by Executive Order #62.
“While there is a lot of work to do, I am confident that with the right leadership we’ll be able to implement lasting, positive change in the Wisconsin National Guard,” said Gov. Evers.
On Dec. 9, 2019, Gov. Evers issued Executive Order #62, which ordered top-to-bottom changes in the Wisconsin National Guard in response to a federal review which detailed system failures by the Wisconsin National Guard in its handling of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation allegations. The federal review was conducted at the request of Gov. Evers and U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin.
Brigadier General Farris is the Assistant Adjutant General for Air with the New Hampshire National Guard, where she is responsible for overseeing 1,200 officers and airmen.
Gov. Evers also announced today that current and former members of the Wisconsin National Guard may directly contact the Office of the Ombudsman regarding complaints of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation within the guard. People may do so by emailing [email protected] or calling (608) 267-7207.
Under Executive Order #62, the Office of Ombudsman is tasked with assisting survivors and complainants in the review of allegations of sexual assault, sexual harassment, and retaliation within the Wisconsin National Guard. The ombudsman is required to provide quarterly reports to Gov. Evers on such matters. The Wisconsin National Guard is required to fully accommodate the ombudsman, including providing full access to personnel and records deemed necessary by the ombudsman, in accordance with law and policy.
