USCG Academy takes steps to prevent sex assault

NEW LONDON, Conn. (AP) — The Coast Guard Academy in New London is taking new steps to prevent student sexual assault.

Superintendent Rear Adm. Sandra Stosz (stohz) has hired a sexual assault response coordinator and training is being revamped to help cadets protect themselves.

Stosz tells The Day of New London the academy is putting on training to address the behaviors that lead up to sexual assault, particularly underage drinking, and making victims feel comfortable coming forward to get help.

A Department of Defense student survey on gender relations indicates that 40 percent of female cadets in 2012 reported experiencing sexual harassment. The figure for male cadets was 10 percent.

Seven instances of sexual offenses were investigated during the 2011-12 school year, including some that did not occur at the academy.