02.13.2024

Baldwin, Bipartisan Group Introduce Bill to Safeguard Sexual Abuse and Sexual Harassment Survivors in the Coast Guard

Last year, Baldwin pushed the Coast Guard for accountability for decades-long hidden reports of sexual assault

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) and a bipartisan group of colleagues introduced legislation to protect survivors of sexual assault and sexual harassment at the United States Coast Guard Academy (CGA) and throughout the entire Coast Guard. The Coast Guard Academy Safe-to-Report Act requires the Coast Guard to implement a safe-to-report policy to protect servicemembers and cadets from punishment for minor infractions of the Uniform Code of Military Justice when reporting incidents of sexual abuse.

“The reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment at the Coast Guard Academy and throughout the service are nothing short of unacceptable. The brave women and men who sign up to serve our country must feel safe and empowered to speak up if they experience sexual misconduct and harassment,” said Senator Baldwin. “Our bipartisan legislation will better protect victims of sexual violence and harassment and ensure cadets and all members of the Coast Guard can access the resources and justice they deserve.”

Recently, the Coast Guard established a safe-to-report policy to protect servicemembers reporting cases of sexual assault. While this policy is a positive step forward, the Coast Guard Academy Safe-to-Report Act goes further, establishing safeguards for members of the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Academy cadets who experience sexual harassment. In addition, by making this policy a statutory requirement, this legislation aligns the Coast Guard with other military services that were required to implement similar policies in the National Defense Authorization Act for 2021.

By requiring the implementation of a safe-to-report policy, the Coast Guard Academy Safe-to-Report Act ensures that survivors can report cases of sexual misconduct without fear of punishment for certain minor offenses, including drinking and violating curfew, when reporting cases of sexual abuse.

Last year, Senator Baldwin demanded answers and accountability from the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard Admiral Linda Fagan for the mishandling of a previously undisclosed, years-long investigation into sexual assault allegations in connection to the Coast Guard Academy.

This legislation was led by Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) and is also co-sponsored by Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI), Chris Murphy (D-CT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Katie Britt (R-AL).

The text of the legislation can be found here.

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