Attorneys at the Legal Aid Society are warning that the extent of sexual misconduct perpetrated by NYPD officers is likely greater than indicated, owing to fear of retribution that victims may feel in coming forward, as reported by THE CITY.

The stark reminder comes as the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB) prepares for a public hearing on proposed rules that would give the board power to probe complaints ranging from verbal harassment to rape,

Jennvine Wong, a staff attorney with the Cop Accountability Project at The Legal Aid Society, provided testimony that the NYPD’s internal investigations are shrouded in secrecy and provide little accountability and added that the lack of transparency “has a devastating effect on survivors of officer abuse and erodes public trust in policing.”

“Moreover, any data on this subject is likely to understate the full extent of the problem,” she wrote. “Victims reasonably fear retribution and retaliation backed by the power and authority of a badge.”