The 13 are accusing the military academy in Connecticut of allowing abusers to get away with impunity for nearly 40 years and of failing to protect victims, their attorney Christine Dunn said. They are asking for 10 million dollars each, equivalent to almost 107 million kroner.
The Coast Guard has been under pressure in the past year following media reports in which it was claimed that they have covered up abuse. In addition, a Senate subcommittee concluded that victims were shamed and that the perpetrators were not confronted with what they had allegedly done.
The 13 refer to abuse that is said to have taken place from the mid-1980s to the present day.
The Coast Guard cannot comment on the allegations, a spokesperson told Reuters. The person further says that the coast guard is committed to protecting its employees, and that “significant resources” are being put into strengthening work to prevent abuse, support victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
The subcommittee held a hearing on the matter in August last year. The report, which came out in August this year, states that the coast guard’s culture of shame meant that victims did not dare to come forward, that not enough was done with perpetrators and that the victims did not receive adequate health care.
Coastguard chief Linda Fagan told the subcommittee that they had sometimes “failed to create a culture that is safe for everyone”.
#military #academy #accused #covering #abuse
2024-09-08 11:15:08
Table of Contents
- 1 Here are some PAA (People Also Ask) related questions for the title “Coast Guard Embroiled in Controversies: Abuse Cover-Ups and Illegal Forced Retirement”:
- 2 What measures are being implemented by the Coast Guard to address the allegations of abuse cover-ups and improve accountability for victims?
Coast Guard Embroiled in Controversies: Abuse Cover-Ups and Illegal Forced Retirement
The United States Coast Guard has faced intense scrutiny in recent times, with allegations of abuse cover-ups and illegal forced retirement of senior enlisted members. While the Coast Guard has denied commenting on the abuse allegations, a federal appeals court has ruled against the organization, finding that it illegally forced hundreds of senior enlisted members into retirement.
Abuse Allegations
Thirteen individuals have come forward, accusing the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut of allowing abusers to get away with impunity for nearly 40 years. They claim that the academy failed to protect victims, and are seeking $10 million each in damages, equivalent to almost 107 million kroner [[Unreferenced]]. The alleged abuse is said to have taken place from the mid-1980s to the present day.
The Coast Guard has faced pressure in the past year following media reports of abuse cover-ups. A Senate subcommittee concluded that victims were shamed, and perpetrators were not confronted with their alleged actions. Despite these allegations, a Coast Guard spokesperson told Reuters that the organization cannot comment on the allegations, but emphasized its commitment to protecting its employees and allocating “significant resources” to do so.
Illegal Forced Retirement
In a separate controversy, a federal appeals court has ruled that the Coast Guard illegally forced hundreds of senior enlisted members into retirement. The court found that the organization had argued that the forced retirement was necessary due to a force reduction, but the court disagreed, stating that the move was illegal [[1]]. This ruling may entitle nearly 250 Coast Guard members who were unlawfully forced into retirement to millions of dollars in back pay [[2]].
Class Action Lawsuit
In a related development, a class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court in September 2022, challenging the Coast Guard’s across-the-board denial of religious accommodations. The lawsuit, filed by the Thomas More Society, alleges that the Coast Guard punished officers for their faith and loyalty [[3]].
Conclusion
The Coast Guard is facing a barrage of controversies, from allegations of abuse cover-ups to illegal forced retirement of senior enlisted members. While the organization has denied commenting on the abuse allegations, the federal appeals court ruling on forced retirement is a significant setback. As the Coast Guard works to address these issues, it must also ensure that it is protecting its employees and upholding its commitment to justice and fairness.
Keywords: Coast Guard, abuse allegations, illegal forced retirement, class-action lawsuit, religious accommodations.
What measures are being implemented by the Coast Guard to address the allegations of abuse cover-ups and improve accountability for victims?
Coast Guard Embroiled in Controversies: Abuse Cover-Ups and Illegal Forced Retirement
The United States Coast Guard has faced intense scrutiny in recent times, with allegations of abuse cover-ups and illegal forced retirement of senior enlisted members. The Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut has been accused of allowing abusers to get away with impunity for nearly 40 years, failing to protect victims, and creating a culture of shame that prevented victims from coming forward.
Abuse Allegations
Thirteen individuals have come forward, accusing the Coast Guard Academy of allowing abusers to get away with impunity for nearly 40 years. They are seeking $10 million each in damages, equivalent to almost 107 million kroner. The alleged abuse is said to have taken place from the mid-1980s to the present day.
The Coast Guard has faced pressure in the past year following media reports of abuse cover-ups. A Senate subcommittee concluded that victims were shamed, and perpetrators were not confronted with their alleged actions. Despite these allegations, a Coast Guard spokesperson told Reuters that the organization cannot comment on the allegations, but emphasized its commitment to protecting its employees and allocating “significant resources” to do so [[1]].
Illegal Forced Retirement
In a separate controversy, a federal appeals court has ruled that the Coast Guard illegally forced hundreds of senior enlisted members into retirement. The court found that the organization had argued that the forced retirement was necessary due to a force reduction, but the court disagreed, stating that the move was illegal [[2]]. This ruling may entitle nearly 250 Coast Guard members who were unlawfully forced into retirement to millions of dollars in back pay.
Class Action Lawsuit
In a related development, a class-action lawsuit was filed in federal court in September 2022, challenging the Coast Guard’s across-the-board denial of religious accommodations. The lawsuit, filed by the Thomas More Society, alleges that the Coast Guard punished officers for their faith and loyalty [[3]].
Conclusion
The Coast Guard is facing a barrage of controversies, from allegations of abuse cover-ups to illegal forced retirement of senior enlisted members. While the organization has denied commenting on the abuse allegations, the federal appeals court ruling on forced retirement and the class action lawsuit raise serious concerns about the Coast Guard’s culture and treatment of its employees. The Coast Guard must take concrete steps to address these issues and ensure that its employees are protected and treated with dignity.
References:
[1] https://www.cnn.com/2024/08/07/politics/senate-coast-guard-sexual-assault-report-invs/index.html
[2] https://www.sanfordheisler.com/blog/2024/06/sexual-assaults-cover-up-at-u-s-coast-guard-an-overview/
[3] https://thewarhorse.org/us-coast-guard-me-too-movement-reveals-sexual-assault-crisis/
FAQs:
What are the allegations against the Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut?
The Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut has been accused of allowing abusers to get away with impunity for nearly 40 years, failing to protect victims, and creating a culture of shame that prevented victims from coming forward.
How many individuals have come forward with allegations of abuse?
Thirteen individuals have come forward with allegations of abuse.
What is the alleged time frame of the abuse?
The alleged abuse is said to have taken place from the mid-1980s to the present day.
What is the ruling of the federal appeals court on forced retirement?
The federal appeals court has ruled that the Coast Guard illegally forced hundreds of senior enlisted members into retirement.
* What is the class action lawsuit about?
The class action lawsuit is challenging the Coast Guard’s across-the-board
