Senate investigates Coast Guard for alleged sexual assault coverup.
U.S. Senate Launches Inquiry into Mishandling of Sexual Assault Reports at Coast Guard Academy
The U.S. Senate has taken action to investigate the mishandling of reports of sexual assaults and rapes at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. This inquiry was prompted by CNN’s coverage of the internal investigation in June, which brought the issue to light.
The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations sent a letter to Coast Guard Commandant Adm. Linda Fagan on Sept. 12, requesting all records related to the agency’s investigation into the allegations. You can read the letter here.
In 2014, the Coast Guard initiated an investigation into numerous reports of rape and sexual assault that were mishandled by the academy between the late 1980s and 2006. This investigation remained confidential until CNN’s report.
Chairman Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Ranking Member Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.) expressed concern that the investigation, known as Operation Fouled Anchor, concluded in January 2020 without being disclosed to Congress.
“This delay in disclosure raises serious questions about why information about the conduct of U.S. Coast Guard personnel and the safety of cadets was withheld for so long,” the senators wrote in their letter.
The senators emphasized the need to hold accountable the leaders who oversaw or contributed to the environment in which misconduct occurred without taking action.
“It is unclear whether those responsible have continued their careers in the Coast Guard, received higher positions of authority, or left service without facing consequences,” the letter stated.
“The public deserves to know why so many reported cases of sexual assault and harassment were allowed to go uninvestigated for so many years,” it added.
According to a memorandum summarizing the investigation in January 2020, the academy was aware of allegations against 30 of the 43 individuals implicated at the time of the assaults. However, only five cases were reported to USCG investigative services and/or local law enforcement.
The senators have requested that the Coast Guard provide all service record entries associated with subjects investigated as part of Operation Fouled Anchor, including reports, updates, memoranda, and other materials, by Oct. 30.
Additionally, they have requested all records related to any sexual assault investigations at the Coast Guard Academy from 2006 to the present, regardless of their connection to Operation Fouled Anchor.
US Coast Guard Issues Apology
In July, the Coast Guard issued an apology for its failure to take appropriate action in handling cases of sexual assault and harassment at the academy in Connecticut. The military branch also admitted that it did not widely disclose its six-year internal investigation into numerous cases from 1988 to 2006.
“The Coast Guard takes responsibility for this failure and extends its apologies to each of the victims and their loved ones,” stated a Coast Guard spokesperson.
The Coast Guard stated that it has taken action to hold accountable known perpetrators who were within the jurisdiction of the Coast Guard Investigative Service (CGIS), but did not provide specific numbers.
Furthermore, the Coast Guard claimed that it has reached out to all known victims, offering individual, in-person meetings to provide information on their specific cases and access to support services.
The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation, which oversees the Coast Guard, expressed surprise at not being informed of the investigation until a recent informal briefing with Senate staff.
The committee has demanded documents and records related to the investigation, which identified 62 substantiated incidents of rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment involving the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and its cadets in New London, Connecticut.
Additionally, the Senate is seeking answers regarding the employment status and security clearances of individuals with substantiated claims against them who may be currently working for the Department of Homeland Security.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
What actions has the Coast Guard taken to address the mishandling of sexual assault reports at the Academy?
Nally, the subcommittee requested detailed information on any actions taken by the Coast Guard to address the mishandling of sexual assault reports, as well as any disciplinary actions or administrative measures taken against individuals involved in the misconduct. The senators also asked for an explanation of why the investigation was not disclosed to Congress.
The mishandling of sexual assault reports is not a new issue at the Coast Guard Academy. In 2014, an investigation was initiated to look into numerous reports of rape and sexual assault that were mishandled by the academy between the late 1980s and 2006. However, this investigation remained confidential until CNN’s recent report.
The senators, in their letter, expressed their concern over the delayed disclosure of the investigation. They questioned why information about the misconduct of U.S. Coast Guard personnel and the safety of cadets was withheld for so long. They stressed the need to hold accountable the leaders who oversaw or contributed to the environment in which misconduct occurred without taking appropriate action.
Furthermore, the senators highlighted the lack of consequences for the individuals responsible for allowing numerous reported cases of sexual assault and harassment to go uninvestigated for many years. They called for transparency and for the public to know why this mishandling occurred.
The memorandum summarizing the investigation in January 2020 revealed that the academy was aware of allegations against 30 out of the 43 individuals implicated at the time of the assaults. However, only five cases were reported to the USCG investigative services and/or local law enforcement. This raises serious concerns about the failure to properly address and investigate these cases.
The Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations has requested that the Coast Guard provide all relevant records and materials related to Operation Fouled Anchor by Oct. 30. They are also seeking information on the actions taken to address the mishandling of sexual assault reports and any disciplinary measures imposed on those responsible.
This inquiry by the U.S. Senate is a crucial step towards holding the Coast Guard Academy accountable for its mishandling of sexual assault reports. It is imperative that justice is served and that measures are put in place to prevent such negligence from happening again in the future. The safety and well-being of cadets and personnel should always be a top priority, and it is the duty of the U.S. Senate to ensure that proper protocols are implemented and followed to address and prevent sexual assault within our institutions.
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