Legislative Update

**CWOAUSCG Urges Coast Guard Leadership to Address Sexual Assault Concerns in Recent Letter**

In a letter dated May 21, 2024, the President of the CWOAUSCG called on Coast Guard leaders to proactively address sexual assault issues, offering support and suggesting a stand down to tackle the pressing concerns.

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CWOAUSCG Addresses Coast Guard Leadership in Recent Letter
By Aniela Szymanski, Chief Policy Officer

On May 21, 2024, the President of CWOAUSCG sent a letter to the Commandant of the Coast Guard and the Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard expressing concern for shipmates subjected to sexual assault in the Coast Guard. CWOAUSCG offered support to the Coast Guard in any way necessary and asked the Coast Guard leadership to be proactive in addressing concerns and being a resilient force. The letter also suggested that a stand down may be useful in helping address problems and concerns that had reached the media, Congress, and across the force.

On May 28, 2024, the Commandant issued this public statement to all members of the Coast Guard: Sexual assault and sexual harassment in the Coast Guard > United States Coast Guard > My Coast Guard News (uscg.mil) Admiral Fagan stated, “I am dedicated to demonstrating through actions and change that the Coast Guard is worthy of your trust and respect.”

On May 29, 2024, the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General contacted the CWOAUSCG and asked “for anyone active or otherwise that would like to share information or notify DHS OIG with allegations, concerns, or information, please give out to your members and utilize [email protected].”

CWOAUSCG urges all servicemembers to be vigilant and to help each other. We are in this together.