ALCOAST 055/21 - FEB 2021 ALL HANDS NEEDED FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION

united states coast guard

R 161452Z FEB 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST

UNCLAS
ALCOAST 055/21
SSIC 5350
SUBJ:  ALL HANDS NEEDED FOR SEXUAL HARASSMENT PREVENTION
A. U.S. Coast Guard Civil Rights Manual, COMDTINST M5350.4 (series)
1. Every workforce member at every level holds the responsibility
to safeguard the Service against sexual harassment. Public service
entails values including transparency, accountability,
professionalism and respect. U.S. government personnel must act
in ways which uphold the public trust.
2. REF (A), Chapter 3, Anti-Harassment and Hate Incident (AHHI)
Procedure, defines behaviors that constitute sexual harassment
and provides guidance for preventing and responding to such conduct.
Coast Guard’s policy requires all personnel to annually complete the
Sexual Harassment Prevention training (Course Code 810000) located
on the Coast Guard Learning Management System. All personnel must be
educated on this topic so that if they are confronted with or become
a witness to acts of harassment, they will intervene if they feel
safe and able, and report it.
3. FY2020 Anti-Harassment and Hate Incident (AHHI) data shows that
Coast Guard commands investigated 86 sexual harassment reports
involving 97 individuals and 87 alleged responsible individuals.
Commands substantiated 53 of the 86 cases and took disciplinary
actions that ranged from administrative remarks to courts martial.
Of individuals responsible, 46 were military, four were civilians,
one was a contractor, and two members’ classifications were unknown.
The most commonly reported behaviors were verbal and telephone
comments, inappropriate texts, and social media activity. The
aggrieved individuals were primarily within one pay grade of the
responsible individuals. The conduct occurred, primarily, in the
workplace. The full report can be viewed at:
https://cglink.uscg.mil/19173168.
4. Sexual harassment has no place in the Coast Guard. It negatively
impacts productivity, retention rates, morale, and readiness.
Leaders must foster a command climate that provides no safe harbor
for individuals who exhibit or subject others to sexually harassing
behaviors, such as sexual jokes, discussions, rumors, overtones,
texts, social media posts, gestures, etc. The goal is an overall
educated workforce active in the eradication, prevention of, and
accountability for sexual harassment.
5. Civil Rights Service Providers (CRSPs) are available to provide
guidance on the AHHI procedure and the tools in place to stop
harassing behaviors. A list of CRSPs is available at:
https://www.uscg.mil/Resources/Civil-Rights/Service-Providers/.
Commands should also consult with their servicing legal office for
handling claims of sexual harassment.
6. Dr. Terri A. Dickerson, Civil Rights Director (CG-00H), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.