U.S. Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy introduced bipartisan legislation Thursday on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., that the two Connecticut Democrats say will help protect survivors of sexual assault and harassment in the United States Coast Guard, including cadets at the academy.
They were joined by U.S. Sens. Ron Johnson, R- Wis., Marsha Blackburn, R- Tenn., Tammy Baldwin, D- Wis., and Katie Britt, R- Ala., in introducing the legislation.
The legislation, known as the Coast Guard Academy Safe-to-Report Act, requires that the Coast Guard implement and enforce a safe-to-report policy.
Under the policy, which the Coast Guard voluntarily established last week, sexual abuse victims in its ranks can no longer be punished for certain minor infractions to the Uniform Code of Military Justice ― which previously punished offenses like drinking and violating curfew even when reporting sexual abuse cases.
Blumenthal said that under the previous rules, survivors were “understandably afraid” to be punished for reporting sexual misconduct.
“This legislation holds the Coast Guard Academy accountable by enshrining safe-to-report policies and ensuring proper protections,” he said.
“We are sounding a call to action,” he added. ” Coast Guard survivors of sexual assault and harassment need and deserve safeguards ― long overdue protections when they come forward against their attackers.”
He said recent history shows how at risk Coast…
