In a rare bipartisan effort, Sen. Katie Britt (R-Alabama) joined with Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and other colleagues across party lines to fight sexual assault and harassment safety. and introduced groundbreaking legislation aimed at strengthening their rights. Survivors within the U.S. Coast Guard Academy (CGA) and the wider Coast Guard.

This vital legislation, named the Coast Guard Academy Safety Reporting Act, mandates the implementation of a “safety reporting” policy within the Coast Guard. The policy is intended to protect service members and cadets from punitive action for minor violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice when they report incidents of sexual abuse.

Sen. Britt said, “Protecting survivors of sexual assault and ensuring all cadets at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy have a safe environment in which to learn and train is paramount,” adding that the legislation emphasized the need for Congress has already made clear that there is no place for this type of reprehensible behavior on the campuses of our military or other military academies. It is critical that the same standards and protections are in place at the Coast Guard Academy so perpetrators can be held accountable and survivors can receive justice. ”

Echoing this sentiment, Senator Blumenthal emphasized the urgent need for these protections. “We are calling for action. Coast Guard victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment need and deserve long-overdue protections if they come forward against their attackers. “Senator Blumenthal said. “Victims right now fear that they will be punished when they report incidents of sexual misconduct. They will be supported in their recovery and pursuit of justice, and receive the help they need to heal. This law holds the Coast Guard Academy accountable by establishing safe-to-report policies and ensuring appropriate protections. Recent history shows how Coast Guard members “It dramatically shows how vulnerable they are to assault, and we support the swift passage of the Coast Guard Academy Safety Reporting Act,” he said.

This legislative effort is supported by Sens. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), Chris Murphy (D-Conn.), Marsha Blackburn (R-Tennessee), and Tammy Baldwin (Wis.). The bill has been further strengthened by the Democratic Party of Japan and is being advanced in parallel with a supplementary bill led by the House of Representatives.U.S. Congressman Joe Courtney, Democrat

This bill is a major advance on the Coast Guard's existing safe-to-report policy. Making these protections a legal requirement would bring the Coast Guard in line with other services implementing similar policies under the National Defense Authorization Act of 2021.

Importantly, the Coast Guard Academy Safety Reporting Act ensures that survivors who come forward with allegations of sexual abuse will not be punished for minor offenses such as drinking alcohol or violating curfew. Therefore, this legislation is a testament to lawmakers' commitment to protecting and empowering Coast Guard personnel and promoting an environment where justice and safety are paramount.