THE Senate Homeland Security Subcommittee is intensifying its pressure on the US Coast Guard to release past email correspondence related to a previously undisclosed investigation into sexual assault at the Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), reports Fort Lauderdale's Maritime Executive.
Committee chairman, Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, said subpoenas may be imminent, and there are considerations to request testimony from former leaders.
During a hearing, survivors of sexual assault at the USCGA shared their experiences with the subcommittee.
The testimonies spanned several decades, revealing not only the tragic trauma endured by the victims, but also a recurring theme of administrative shortcomings.
The failures included the dismissal of assault allegations, dropping or reducing charges against perpetrators, and the shelving of noted patterns of abuse.
Operation Fouled Anchor identified 102 cases of assault or rape at USCGA, with only five reported to law enforcement, according to Mr Blumenthal.
'I have repeatedly witnessed senior leaders dismiss substantiated reports of harassment, assault, abuse, and retaliation in order to shield their fellow officer and friends from any form of discipline,' said Lt Melissa McCafferty.
'There exists a corrosive pattern of sexual assault, harassment, abuse, bullying, intimidation and retaliation.'
At the hearing, Sen Blumenthal and Wisconsin Republican Sen Ron Johnson both expressed frustration at the pace of the Coast Guard's response.
'It is not that hard to go into emails, do searches, and start producing some of these documents,' said Mr Johnson.
'What were those communications that resulted in this three-and-a-half-year cover-up?'
Mr Johnson also called for 'naming and shaming' those responsible. 'It's pretty obvious what has to be done,' said Mr Johnson.
'You can only talk about improving culture for so long before you actually start doing it, and the only way to do it is accountability.'
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Committee chairman, Connecticut Democratic Senator Richard Blumenthal, said subpoenas may be imminent, and there are considerations to request testimony from former leaders.
During a hearing, survivors of sexual assault at the USCGA shared their experiences with the subcommittee.
The testimonies spanned several decades, revealing not only the tragic trauma endured by the victims, but also a recurring theme of administrative shortcomings.
The failures included the dismissal of assault allegations, dropping or reducing charges against perpetrators, and the shelving of noted patterns of abuse.
Operation Fouled Anchor identified 102 cases of assault or rape at USCGA, with only five reported to law enforcement, according to Mr Blumenthal.
'I have repeatedly witnessed senior leaders dismiss substantiated reports of harassment, assault, abuse, and retaliation in order to shield their fellow officer and friends from any form of discipline,' said Lt Melissa McCafferty.
'There exists a corrosive pattern of sexual assault, harassment, abuse, bullying, intimidation and retaliation.'
At the hearing, Sen Blumenthal and Wisconsin Republican Sen Ron Johnson both expressed frustration at the pace of the Coast Guard's response.
'It is not that hard to go into emails, do searches, and start producing some of these documents,' said Mr Johnson.
'What were those communications that resulted in this three-and-a-half-year cover-up?'
Mr Johnson also called for 'naming and shaming' those responsible. 'It's pretty obvious what has to be done,' said Mr Johnson.
'You can only talk about improving culture for so long before you actually start doing it, and the only way to do it is accountability.'
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