Federal legislation considered to safeguard Coast Guard Academy cadets who report sexual assault

On Tuesday, a bipartisan legislative bill was proposed to safeguard cadets at the U.S. Reporters of sexual assault at the Coast Guard Academy are protected from discipline for minor corollary offenses like underage drinking.

To protect cadets at the U.S. Military Academy, a bipartisan legislative bill was put out on Tuesday. At the Coast Guard Academy, those who report sexual assault are shielded from punishment for minor related violations like underage drinking. (Photo: FOX 40)

Several instances of sexual assault and misconduct in military

A report from KTAR News stated that the modification would bring the Connecticut Service Academy’s policies into line with those at military institutions run by the Department of Defense. The Department of Homeland Security is in charge of the United States Coast Guard.

The act was passed in response to recent disclosures that the military withheld information from the public regarding Operation Fouled Anchor, a six-year internal investigation it undertook into several instances of sexual assault and misconduct between 1988 and 2006. The Coast Guard also expressed regret for not acting appropriately in allegations of sexual assault and harassment at the New London Academy back in the day.

Democratic U.S. Representative Joe Courtney, whose congressional district encompasses the institution, emphasized in a statement how the Department of Defense promptly made a policy change prohibiting cadets at its military academies from being punished for infractions when they report sexual assault or harassment. He asserted that the cadets at the Coast Guard Academy also require these protections.

READ ALSO: Camp Pendleton Marine Charged With Sexual Assault Of Missing 14-Year-Old Girl Found In California Barracks

Department of Defense mandated to implement the Safe-to-Report Policy

As I continue to consult with Coast Guard leadership about the best course of action after it failed to disclose the inquiry into its history of sexual assault and harassment at the Coast Guard Academy, Courtney stated that this is one step in the process to take care of our students.

Along with Republican U.S. Rep. Trent Kelly of Mississippi, Democratic U.S. Reps. Rick Larsen of Washington, Salud Carbajal, and Nanette Diaz Barragan of California, he co-sponsored the bill.

In an article from Eyewitness News, Veteran Carbajal is the chief Democrat on the House committee in charge of managing American foreign policy. “I am aware of how critical it is for Coasties to have the same protections against sexual assault as other members of our military”, the Coast Guard stated in a statement. To safeguard the upcoming generation of service members, this measure unifies all military service academies under a single set of safety and accountability standards.

The Department of Defense was mandated to implement the Safe-to-Report Policy in 2021 by the National Defense Authorization Act for any midshipman or cadet who is a victim of an alleged sexual assault at a DOD military college and has committed a minor infraction like drinking alcohol while underage or breaking curfew.

READ ALSO: Unidentified Marine At Camp Pendleton California Charged With Sexual Assault Of Minor!