A federal staff report released on Wednesday revealed that survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the U.S. Coast Guard were denied adequate medical care and support. The report highlighted mistreatment of victims by the Coast Guard, including denial of necessary documentation to access Veterans Affairs services and refusal to provide victims with their own records. Whistleblowers shared their experiences with the U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations, detailing the lasting impact of sexual assault and harassment on their mental and physical health.
Connecticut Democrat Sen. Richard Blumenthal expressed concern over the systemic failures within the Coast Guard, emphasizing the need to address the issue and support survivors. The report contained testimonies from over 80 whistleblowers, painting a grim picture of sexual misconduct within the Coast Guard that spanned several decades.
U.S. Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan testified about efforts to address sexual assault and harassment within the organization, including an independent review funded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act. A past investigation known as Operation Fouled Anchor revealed mishandling of sexual misconduct cases at the Coast Guard Academy from 1988 to 2006.
The U.S. Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations will be holding a field hearing on the Coast Guard whistleblowers’ sexual assault and harassment case at Connecticut College in New London on August 8. The aim is to shed light on the experiences of survivors and advocate for necessary changes within the Coast Guard to prevent future incidents of sexual assault and harassment.
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