Rape is an ugly crime. It diminishes us all. Units where it happens are unlikely to have had much previous experience dealing with it.
This post, “Reporting a Sexual Assault in the United States Coast Guard,” came up on the Coast Guard’s own “Daily Newsbreak and Blogsum,” so it’s not something the service is ignoring or trying to hide, but I think it is too important to let it slip by unnoticed.
I really like this post because it isn’t just hand wringing, it offers some concrete recommendations that appear doable.
Chuck Hill's CG Blog 
When I was on active duty long ago, every woman I knew on active duty was either a victim of an unwanted sexual advance, or knew first hand of a shipmate who was a victim. Back then, one of the biggest problems was perpetrators being let off with little or no punishment.
As the cited article noted, “Low prosecution rate and those who are found guilty of sexual assault or rape often receive just a slap on the wrist. EARLY RETIREMENT SHOULD NOT BE GIVEN IN LIEU OF JAIL TIME.”
That was the situation in the Coast Guard of the 1980’s and 1990’s. Apparently it is still the norm today. If the Service doesn’t deliver consequences for this unacceptable behavior, does anyone really think it will cease?
Thank you so much for writing about this VERY important topic.
Another interesting perspective of what women go through while reporting a sexual assault in the military (with many Coast Guard references) http://mydutytospeak.com/2011/01/06/sorry-my-fault/
Another from the same site, with a direct Coast Guard connection:
http://mydutytospeak.com/2011/01/07/raped-by-a-coast-guard-captain-why-i-chose-to-not-report-it/
Although I know it is hard, I can only suggest that if young woman finds herself in the situation described in this link above, that she report it immediately, to the police if she has no confidence in the Coast Guard and get a rape kit done ASAP and get the SOB.
Rep Nikki Tsongas of Massachusetts has been urging the Coast Guard and military to implement programs to better help sexual assault survivors. This problem is clearly on the front line in Congress and I just hope that the Coast Guard corporate. http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/01/03/tsongas_pushes_legislation_targeting_military_sexual_assaults
correct url :
http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2011/01/03/tsongas_pushes_legislation_targeting_military_sex_assaults/