WASHINGTON — The Central Intelligence Agency introduced on Thursday that it might overhaul its course of for dealing with sexual assault and harassment accusations within the wake of allegations that the company had discouraged individuals from submitting formal complaints or had mishandled them.

Members of Congress have begun investigating the company’s dealing with of assault and harassment complaints filed by feminine C.I.A. officers. Also, on the request of the Senate, the C.I.A.’s inspector basic has begun a evaluate of how the group processed complaints, officers stated.

Lawyers for the ladies say the C.I.A. has used arguments about classification to make it troublesome for girls to get authorized illustration. The company has additionally created roadblocks which have made it troublesome for individuals to file federal complaints or get exterior legislation enforcement to analyze the problems, based on the legal professionals.

On Thursday, the C.I.A. introduced that it had employed Taleeta Jackson from the Navy’s sexual assault prevention program to guide the company’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office. Dr. Jackson shall be tasked with enhancing how the C.I.A. responds to sexual assault allegations, the company stated in an announcement.

The C.I.A. additionally stated it might create an inner activity drive suggested by exterior specialists to streamline its course of for addressing sexual assault and harassment. By the tip of May, the company will subject new steering on reporting such episodes, the C.I.A. stated. Officials stated the purpose is to make it simpler to report misconduct internally or to exterior legislation enforcement.

In an announcement, William J. Burns, the C.I.A. director, stated he had met with “affected officers” to hearken to their issues and see how the company might enhance.

“We have no higher priority than taking care of our people,” Mr. Burns stated. “We will continue to act quickly and systematically to address concerns, and to improve our approach to these critical issues. More reforms will be coming.”

The C.I.A.’s assertion on Thursday acknowledged that the earlier course of for dealing with accusations was flawed and recommended that it was too troublesome for officers to get assist or authorized steering. But it’s not clear if the company will re-examine any prior instances as a part of the evaluate of its procedures.

Kevin T. Carroll, a lawyer who represents one girl who has made a felony grievance towards one other C.I.A. officer, stated the duty drive was “an excellent first step.”

But he stated the C.I.A. should overhaul the way it handles felony complaints, which legislation enforcement company handles them and what it permits victims to inform investigators.

The C.I.A. “must also reform its instructions to victims about speaking to law enforcement,” Mr. Carroll stated.

Mr. Carroll stated that when his shopper was annoyed by the company’s failure to behave, she approached the House Intelligence Committee in January. Congress’s intelligence committees oversee the C.I.A., and its workers members have safety clearances, permitting them to demand data from the company.

The issues with the C.I.A.’s dealing with of assault allegations were reported earlier by Politico.

In different instances, the company has additionally discouraged individuals from submitting complaints underneath the equal employment alternative course of, making it troublesome for girls to get compensation for office harassment or assault, stated Kevin Byrnes, a lawyer who represents seven company officers.

Under federal legislation, office harassment complaints should first be heard by the company earlier than transferring to the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. While particular person businesses are presupposed to appoint a impartial arbiter to look into complaints, Mr. Byrnes stated the C.I.A. had not executed that.

“Sexual harassment is not classified,” Mr. Byrnes stated. “Sexual assault is not classified.”

In addition to his seven purchasers, Mr. Byrnes stated 18 different individuals had contacted him about episodes that had occurred, however an excessive amount of time had handed for them to file a grievance underneath federal procedures. He stated the company remains to be defending its dealing with of equal employment alternative complaints.

“I am glad there is a blue-ribbon commission, but let us see what happens,” Mr. Byrnes stated.