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A third woman tells her story of retaliation for reporting sexual harassment at the Wyoming National Guard

Patricia Hiegel stands behind a podium in a lawn with a building in the background. Three women stand behinder her on the left and three man behind her on the right.
Anthony Bouchard for Congress Against Cheney
Patricia Hiegel tells her story at a press conference hosted by Cheyenne Senator Anthony Bouchard.

Another woman has spoken out againstthe Wyoming National Guard for retaliation for reporting sexual harassment.

A woman calling herself Patricia Hiegel worked at the Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy. The academy is part of a National Guard initiative that recruits at-risk teens who have either dropped out of school or are thinking of dropping out of school.

The woman said she was sexually harassed by a colleague. Hiegel said when she reported it, she received retaliation from her commanders and others around her.

"What I reported was shared with the people I reported this about. And what happened is the environment became very hostile," said Hiegel.

Hiegel said she left the job a couple of weeks ago and the investigation of her claim is ongoing. This comes after Wyoming Public Media and WyoFile reported on three other women who say they had similar experiences in the Wyoming National Guard. One of them also said she experienced sexual harassment while working at Wyoming Cowboy Challenge Academy. The women are calling for help from legislators to address the issue.

Kamila has worked for public radio stations in California, New York, France and Poland. Originally from New York City, she loves exploring new places. Kamila received her master in journalism from Columbia University. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the surrounding areas with her two pups and husband.
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