Lawmakers: Coast Guard academy sex assaults threaten national security – By Zamone Perez (Military Times) / Dec 12, 2023
Reports of a Coast Guard sexual assault cover up that came to light in June threatens national security, lawmakers and whistleblowers said during a Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee inquiry into the issue on Tuesday.
The whistleblowers — both current and former members of the Coast Guard — testified before lawmakers about the alleged four-year-old cover up of a report known within the service as “Operation Fouled Anchor.” The report detailed years of sexual assault and inaction at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy from the late 1980s to 2006, alleging instances of sexual misconduct by at least 43 academy staff.
The issues first came to light earlier this summer when reports by CNN and other outlets chronicled dozens of sexual assault reports filed by academy cadets which leadership is accused of either ignoring or covering up.
The panel of former and current servicewomen — who served across numerous decades — told lawmakers Tuesday about their experiences dealing with sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy and after leaving the institution.
