Thirteen former cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy have filed complaints seeking $10 million each in damages, alleging that the school failed to prevent sexual violence on campus and engaged in a cover-up. The cadets, who reported being sexually assaulted at the academy from the 1980s to recent years, have lodged administrative complaints under the Federal Tort Claims Act against the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Transportation.
The former cadets claim that inadequate policies and practices at the academy allowed sexual violence to persist unchecked, with officials allegedly concealing the extent of sexual assault and harassment. In response, Coast Guard officials have stated their commitment to improving prevention, victim support, and accountability, emphasizing a zero-tolerance policy for sexual assault and harassment within the service.
The complaints follow revelations of a previously undisclosed investigation, Operation Fouled Anchor, which uncovered mishandling of sexual assault and harassment cases involving cadets from 1990 to 2006. This revelation has prompted calls for reforms and accountability for offenders and those who shielded them, leading to ongoing government and congressional investigations.
One former cadet, identified as Jane Doe 1, reported being raped multiple times both at the academy and while serving on a ship after graduation. Despite reporting the incidents, disciplinary proceedings against the alleged attacker were dismissed due to the passage of time. Another former cadet, Jane Doe 2, detailed a similar experience of being raped at the academy and facing obstacles when attempting to report the assault.
The former cadets' legal representatives anticipate more victims coming forward following the filing of these complaints. They assert that the Coast Guard Academy must address the pervasive issue of sexual violence and create a culture that encourages survivors to seek accountability without fear of retaliation.
