DeLauro Statement on Coast Guard Task Force Report

Congresswoman Rosa L. DeLauro (Conn.-3) issued the following statement on the release of the Coast Guard’s Task Force report, “Culture and Climate at the Coast Guard Academy ,” which established to address the Coast Guard Academy’s response to recent claims of sexual harassment.

“I welcome the findings of this Coast Guard Task Force, despite a two-month delay in the report’s release.  It is a necessary element to reaffirming the Coast Guard’s commitment to an environment that supports all of the cadets, including nearly one-third of whom are women.

“Some of these findings do cause me concern – the number of female cadets being subjected to gender discrimination or sexual harassment; and the lack of confidence that the procedures in place at the Academy would work when reporting sexual harassment or racial discrimination.  But there are encouraging signs.  For example, although the number of incidents has fluctuated, as compared to the size of the respective male and female populations, the comparative amount of sexual assault has declined.

“However, the findings of this Task Force, along with the Government Accountability Office study into the Coast Guard Academy ’s response to recent claims of sexual harassment expected later this year, will ensure that the Coast Guard is responding to and taking the critical steps to correct the problem.