A year ago, CNN reported a cover-up at the Coast Guard Academy regarding decades of sexual assault cases. This revelation sparked further investigation and led to the recent resignation of the Coast Guard Academy’s official in charge of sexual assault prevention, Shannon Norenberg, who cited being an unwitting accomplice to the cover-up as her reason for stepping down. The first female commandant, Adm. Linda Fagan, is set to testify about the scandal at a Congressional hearing, facing questions about why leaders have not been held accountable for misconduct cover-ups.
The investigative reporting on the Coast Guard scandal was carried out by CNN Investigates journalists Melanie Hicken, Blake Ellis, Audrey Ash, Curt Devine, and Pamela Brown. The coverage began with a case involving a woman named Hope Hicks from the US Merchant Marine Academy who had been raped by her boss, prompting scrutiny of the maritime industry. This led to the discovery of sexual assaults going unpunished under the Coast Guard’s jurisdiction, eventually unveiling the Fouled Anchor scandal. Developing sources, obtaining records, and interviewing victims were critical tasks that took months to complete.
Operation Fouled Anchor, an internal probe of cover-ups at the Coast Guard Academy, uncovered years of sexual assaults and revealed how victims were ignored and complaints covered up. Despite the damning findings, Coast Guard leaders chose to bury the probe instead of coming clean to Congress. The apology issued by the current Coast Guard leader has stopped short of acknowledging a cover-up, leading to frustration among members who seek accountability for the past misconduct and hope for changes to prevent future assaults and support survivors.
Investigations into past assaults revealed cases from the late 1980s where alleged perpetrators were not criminally investigated, and few were held accountable even after cases were reopened by Fouled Anchor. Recent cases of sexual harassment and assault have brought renewed scrutiny to the Coast Guard Academy, with calls for reopening investigations and holding perpetrators accountable. The lack of jurisdiction over some cases has hindered efforts to pursue legal action, despite the evidence of wrongdoing.
The upcoming Congressional hearing will probe the Coast Guard leadership’s handling of the scandal, with Norenberg’s resignation highlighting the ongoing frustration over the lack of accountability and progress in addressing sexual assault issues within the service. The culture of cover-up and lack of accountability at the Coast Guard Academy echoes similar issues seen in other military branches, indicating a broader problem in combating sexual assault across the military. Calls for increased scrutiny and accountability may lead to changes in policies and practices to address these systemic issues.
The journalists behind the investigations have welcomed tips and information from the public, receiving valuable insights from survivors and whistleblowers that have informed their reporting. Past stories have been sparked by tips and emails from readers, underscoring the importance of public engagement in uncovering misconduct and holding institutions accountable. The willingness to listen to survivors and sources has been crucial in shedding light on the scandal and pushing for reforms within the Coast Guard and the military as a whole.
