You are not alone. An estimated 1 in 3 female veterans and 1 in 100 male veterans report experiencing military sexual trauma. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) defines military sexual trauma as sexual assault or harassment experienced by an individual during their military service. In 2021, over 35,000 service members experienced sexual violence and called the Department’s Safe Helpline (SHL).
The VA recognizes that military sexual trauma can encompass a range of behaviors, including but not limited to:
This refers to any unwanted, forced, or coerced sexual activity, such as rape or attempted rape.
This includes unwanted or repeated sexual advances, comments, or gestures that create a hostile or offensive environment.
The Department of Defense is the largest employer in the US. California has 32 military bases, more than any other state, with the majority of the Navy and Marines Corps bases in San Diego. Employment laws should apply to the armed forces, the same as any other employer. The women and men who serve in our armed forces should not have to work in an environment where sexual harassment and sexual assault are widespread and survivors face retaliation for reporting.
We recognize there are unique challenges to bringing a military sexual assault case against the federal government. We believe no employer should be immune from accountability for neglecting to provide a safe work environment.
Sexual assault and harassment in the U.S. military have been pervasive and systemic problems for decades. Survivors often face insurmountable barriers to justice, from institutional cover-ups to legal doctrines that shield the government from liability. However, recent legal victories, legislative changes, and growing public awareness are beginning to shift the tides in favor of survivors.
If you are a servicemember or veteran who has experienced sexual assault or harassment in the military—whether in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Space Force, or Coast Guard—you are not alone. You deserve justice, accountability, and support.
For years, military leadership has failed to protect servicemembers from sexual violence. The Feres Doctrine, a legal rule established in 1950, has long prevented servicemembers from suing the government for injuries “incident to service”—a category that, shockingly, has included sexual assault.
But recent legal cases have started to challenge this injustice, offering new avenues for survivors to seek compensation and hold perpetrators accountable.
In a historic settlement in 2024, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) agreed to compensate a former U.S. Merchant Marine Academy student who was sexually assaulted. This was the first time a victim from a federal service academy had successfully recovered damages under the Federal Tort Claims Act (FTCA).
This case builds on a growing legal movement, including the 2022 Spletstoser v. Hyten decision, where a court ruled that sexual assault cannot be considered “incident to service”, allowing survivors to pursue civil claims. These cases set a powerful precedent: the military can and should be held accountable for failing to prevent and address sexual violence.
Military sexual violence is an escalating crisis:
Survivors often face retaliation for reporting, including career sabotage, intimidation, and threats to personal safety. Employers can face lawsuits for retaliating against an employee for reporting sexual assault or sexual harassment. Despite numerous reports and demands for reform, military leadership has failed to protect victims and hold offenders accountable.
The Safer Seas Act: Protecting Maritime Industry Workers
The Safer Seas Act, passed by Congress, aims to combat sexual assault and harassment in the maritime industry, where abuse has been widespread yet historically overlooked. Key provisions include:
This law is a critical step in ensuring safer work environments for maritime personnel, and similar protections must be expanded across all military branches.
In 2014, the U.S. Coast Guard launched Operation Fouled Anchor (OFA) to investigate decades of unchecked sexual misconduct at the Coast Guard Academy (CGA). The investigation uncovered:
These findings expose a culture of silence and impunity within the Coast Guard—one that echoes patterns seen across all military branches. Survivors deserve accountability, justice, and real systemic change.
If you or someone you know has been sexually assaulted in the military, you have legal options.
You can report sexual assault through The Department of Defense (DoD) Safe Helpline:
Reports can be restricted (confidential) or unrestricted (triggering an official investigation).
Recent cases suggest that survivors may have a legal path to compensation and accountability. Legal claims against the Department of Defense, Coast Guard, or federal service academies may now be possible under the FTCA or through individual lawsuits.
Our firm specializes in helping military sexual assault survivors explore their legal options. Contact us for a confidential consultation to understand your rights.
The Merchant Marine Academy settlement, the Safer Seas Act, and Operation Fouled Anchor demonstrate that change is possible—but only if we continue demanding accountability. Survivors have been silenced for too long. It’s time to ensure that no military member is forced to endure sexual violence without recourse.
If you are a current or former servicemember who has experienced sexual assault, you have rights—and we are here to help you fight for them. When you’re ready to stand up, we will stand with you.
Contact us today for a free, confidential, no obligation sexual assault case evaluation.
Contact Haeggquist & Eck, LLP online
or call (619) 342-8000 for assistance!
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