A Mission Imperative and a Moral Duty
Sexual assault is a violent crime. It causes devastating trauma, shatters the sacred trust between teammates, and destroys unit readiness. We will aggressively combat sexual assault and the behaviors that enable it, especially sexual harassment. This is a leadership responsibility and duty for each of us.
The Sexual Assault Prevention, Response, and Recovery (SAPRR) Strategic Plan directs decisive, service-wide action to combat sexual assault and sexual harassment. This plan provides the framework for a comprehensive approach built upon four interconnected Lines of Effort:
- Prevention: Enforcing a Climate of Dignity and Respect
- Response: Immediate Survivor-Centered Support
- Recovery: Enduring Support for Long-Term Healing
- Accountability: Delivering Justice Through Accountability Under the Law
This requires a bias for action from every member of the Coast Guard. From the most senior officer to the newest recruit, each of us has an unconditional duty to meet and enforce the highest standards and to intervene to protect our teammates. That duty demands courage.
A Standard of Action
Semper Paratus is more than our motto. It is our duty to be Always Ready. Coast Guard readiness starts with the readiness of every Coast Guard man and woman, and there is no greater threat to our readiness than the violent crime of sexual assault. It destroys the sacred trust between teammates and degrades our ability to execute our missions.
Therefore, our service-wide effort to combat sexual assault will be guided by the following truths:
Readiness Starts With Trust.&
We Will Demonstrate Courage.
We Are a Disciplined Force.
Our People Are Our Greatest Treasure.
The readiness of the Coast Guard depends on our ability to trust and depend on one another. Sexual assault is a profound betrayal of the trust that binds us and the trust of the American people we serve.
Through the disciplined execution of our SAPRR Strategic Plan, we will honor our duty to one another, live our Core Values, and preserve the readiness required to protect the American public. This is our solemn obligation to the nation we serve.