Four women, including a current cadet, who went to the US Coast Guard Academy will speak at a congressional hearing on Tuesday. They will share their experiences, saying that the leaders of the Coast Guard didn’t protect them from harassment and assault.
This hearing comes after CNN revealed that the Coast Guard hid the results of an investigation confirming many sexual assaults at the academy.
Senators have asked the Coast Guard for documents about these investigations. This inquiry is part of ongoing investigations started after CNN’s report. The hearing follows a recent report by the Coast Guard admitting past mistakes and calling for changes in how they handle sexual assault cases.
Four women to testify at Senate hearing about sexual harassment, assault at Coast Guard Academy | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/j3BoZA8ufh
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Coast Guard leaders said they failed to keep their people safe in the report. But some, including lawmakers and survivors, think the Coast Guard needs to hold accountable those responsible for past wrongdoing, not just focus on the future.
The women testifying attended the academy at different times, from the 1980s to today. Lisa Banks, a lawyer representing three of them, said the Coast Guard has hidden a culture of misconduct for decades. Despite the agency claiming reforms, the testimonies of her clients over almost 50 years suggest otherwise.
Apart from the Senate hearing, the House Oversight Committee is also investigating how the Coast Guard has handled serious misconduct, including sexual assault, racism, and hazing.
