Coast Guard Academy Sued for Alleged Sexual Assault Cover-Ups

Thirteen former cadets of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy have filed a lawsuit accusing the institution of failing to prevent and address sexual violence on campus, and covering up the extent of the problem for decades. 

The plaintiffs, 12 women and one man, claim they were sexually assaulted while attending the academy in New London, Connecticut, between the 1980s and more recent years. They are seeking $10 million each in damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act, holding the Coast Guard, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Transportation accountable, AP News reports. 

The lawsuit follows revelations from Operation Fouled Anchor, a hidden investigation that found dozens of mishandled sexual assault cases at the academy between 1990 and 2006. The plaintiffs argue that the academy allowed a culture of abuse to fester, with perpetrators going unpunished, and that this negligence had lifelong consequences for the victims.

Former Cadets Detail Harrowing Stories of Sexual Assault at Coast Guard Academy

The former cadets’ stories detailed in the lawsuit highlight a pattern of abuse, silencing, and lack of support. One of the plaintiffs, identified as Jane Doe 1, described being raped twice while attending the academy and later gang-raped while serving on a Coast Guard ship. She explained that after her first assault, she felt she couldn’t report the attack because it was “her word against the attacker’s,” a popular senior cadet. When she eventually did try to report the incident, she says a campus official dismissed her concerns, and later the case was thrown out due to the time that had passed.

“The culture of silence and victim-blaming perpetuated in the Coast Guard prevented me from immediately reporting what happened to me each time,” Jane Doe 1 said in the lawsuit. “It caused me to completely lose my physical, emotional, and mental stability.”

Another plaintiff, Jane Doe 2, said she faced similar issues. She did not report her rape immediately, knowing that other women’s reports had been ignored. When she finally came forward, her testimony was never called upon, and she was later told her statement had been lost. She continues to suffer from anxiety and health issues stemming from the trauma, the lawsuit alleges.

Lawsuit Claims Culture of Silence and Cover-Ups Enabled Abuse

The plaintiffs accuse the Coast Guard Academy of gross negligence, failing to implement policies to protect cadets from sexual violence, and actively discouraging victims from coming forward. Many described being pressured into silence and facing retaliation when they did report assaults. The lawsuits cite Operation Fouled Anchor, which revealed a history of mishandling sexual misconduct claims, as evidence of a long-standing cover-up.

“Had the Coast Guard implemented policies or practices at the Academy to prevent and properly address sexual violence, my abuser would not have been in a position to sexually abuse me,” one complaint reads.

Plaintiffs Seek Justice and Systemic Change To Protect Future Cadets

Many plaintiffs say they continue to live with psychological and physical scars from the assaults. Jane Doe 1 reported chronic pain, pelvic disorders, and the need for several abdominal surgeries, including a hysterectomy. Others have dealt with anxiety, insomnia, and the collapse of personal relationships, including failed marriages. 

Their careers also suffered, with some plaintiffs receiving poor performance reviews and others leaving the military altogether. “I have chronic insomnia and constantly need to ensure my living space is safe and all doors are locked,” said Jane Doe 2, who also suffers from severe anxiety and related health problems.

The plaintiffs are demanding more than financial compensation: they want systemic changes within the Coast Guard Academy to ensure future cadets are protected from the kind of abuse they endured. They are calling for accountability, not just for their attackers, but for the academy leadership and staff who failed to take action for decades.

Christine Dunn, the attorney representing the former cadets, hopes that the lawsuit will encourage other victims to come forward. “Our hope is that this is just the tip of the iceberg, and that other survivors are going to start contacting us,” she said.

Coast Guard Academy Lawsuit Joins Growing List of Sexual Assault Cases Against Institutions

This lawsuit is one of many recent high-profile cases highlighting the failures of institutions to protect their members from sexual assault. Recently, sports doctor Larry Nassar was hit with lawsuits from survivors of sexual abuse, which also resulted in a federal tort claim. Survivors also sued USA Gymnastics and Michigan State University for failing to act on decades of abuse, resulting in settlements of $380 million and $500 million. 

Similarly, the Catholic Church has been sued across the U.S. for concealing clergy abuse, with dioceses like Boston settling for $85 million after years of systemic cover-ups were exposed. 

The Coast Guard has acknowledged receiving the complaints but has said it cannot comment due to legal restrictions. Meanwhile, congressional investigations and public pressure continue to push for accountability.