An ad hoc committee of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine will conduct a consensus study that will review and assess existing evidence on challenges and prospective solutions associated with sexual assault at sea, to include the provision of survivor care, forensic examination of the victim, and evidence collection.
The study will review best practices of conducting sexual assault forensic examinations, including:
• the safety, security and privacy of the alleged victim of sexual assault;
• the ability to properly identify, document, and preserve any evidence relevant to the allegation of sexual assault;
• the applicable criminal procedural laws relating to authenticity, relevance, preservation of evidence, chain of custody, and any other matter relating to evidentiary admissibility; and
• best practices of conducting sexual assault forensic examinations, as such term is defined in section 40723 of title 34, United States Code;
• the feasibility of crisis response services and physical evaluation through telemedicine and other options concerning immediate access to care whether onboard the vessel or at the nearest shore side facility
The committee will also evaluate the operational capabilities of the Coast Guard since 2013 in providing alleged victims of sexual assault immediate access to care onboard a vessel undertaking a prescheduled voyage that, at any point during such voyage, would require the vessel to travel 3 consecutive days or longer to reach a land-based or afloat medical facility, including:
• the average of and range in the reported hours taken to evacuate an individual with any medical emergency to a land-based or afloat medical facility; and
• the number of alleged victims, subjects, and total incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment occurring while underway reported annually; and
• summarize the financial cost, required operational adjustments (including training staff and providing adequate space), and potential benefits to the Coast Guard to provide sexual assault forensic examination kits onboard Coast Guard vessels undertaking a prescheduled voyage that, at any point during such voyage, would require the vessel to travel 3 consecutive days or longer to reach a land-based or afloat medical facility.
To facilitate its work, the committee will solicit public stakeholder input from individuals and organizations with relevant expertise in sexual assault response including healthcare, advocacy services, law enforcement, and prosecution. As appropriate, the committee will make evidence-driven policy and research recommendations to key military stakeholders and provide any appropriate recommendation for changes to existing laws, regulations, or employer policies.