HARTFORD, Conn. — The U.S. Senate will hear from survivors of sexual harassment and assault at the United States Coast Guard Academy Tuesday.
This comes after the Academy, based in New London, mishandled sexual assault investigations.
“This hearing will be about a culture of coverup,” said Sen. Richard Blumenthal, (D-Connecticut), chairman of the Senate’s Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations.
Multiple Congressional investigations are now underway after reports showed the USCGA failed to disclose the results of an internal probe into sexual misconduct, called “Fouled Anchor.”
“The Coast Guard deterred and discouraged women, survivors and victims of sexual assault, from coming forward,” Blumenthal said.
“Fouled Anchor” found dozens of sexual assault cases at the Academy were mishandled from 1988 to 2006.
Last week the Coast Guard admitted these failings and released an Accountability and Transparency Review.
Commandant Admiral Linda Fagan wrote “Change is necessary,” adding, “Acknowledging broken trust within the service is an important first step in reestablishing it.”
The Accountability and Transparency Review included 33 initial actions to ensure members are free from harassment, assault, hazing, bullying, hate and retaliation, but lawmakers say this doesn’t go far enough.
“Accountability is really important,” Blumenthal said. “This culture of coverup has to end and leadership responsible for it should be held responsible.”
He says anyone still in the Coast Guard should be disciplined, and those who are retired should be named and “held accountable in a public court of opinion.”
Tuesday, the PSI will hold the first of several hearings. Four current and retired USCGA graduates are set to testify.
“What I hope the American public will see in this hearing is the brave, strong victims and survivors of sexual assault who were denied justice,” Blumenthal added.
The House Oversight Committee also recently launched an investigation into this.
Emma Wulfhorst is a political reporter for FOX61 News. She can be reached at ewulfhorst@fox61.com. Follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.
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