Martha McSally: Senator who was first female fighter pilot to fly in combat says she was raped in Air Force

'My drive to fight against sexual assault in the ranks is not from the outside looking in. And it is deeply personal,' she says

Arizona Senator Martha McSally, the first American female pilot to fly in combat, has said during a Senate hearing that she was raped by an Air Force superior officer during her time in the military.

I was "preyed upon and then raped," Ms McSally said during the hearing on sexual assault allegations in the armed services.

The Republican served in the Air Force for 26 years, and said on Wednesday she did not report the assault at the time because she did not believe in the integrity of the system, and that she was ashamed of the attack.

"My drive to fight against sexual assault in the ranks is not from the outside looking in," Ms McSally said. "And it is deeply personal."

Ms McSally said during the hearing that she was "greatly privileged" to have been lead by "amazing" airmen in combat, but said she saw "so many weaknesses" in the system to prevent sexual assault, and to investigate the matter afterward.

"I am so inspired by the many survivors wo found the strength to share their stories, report their assaults, and demand accountability, justice and change," Ms McSally said.

She continued: "It is because of you that a light has been shined on this silent epidemic and so many improvements have been made — including more than 100 legislative actions over the last decade — on all aspects of military sexual assault."

Ms McSally did not name the officer who she said raped her during her time in service.