Coast Guard completes most sexual misconduct reforms, but gaps remain

The U.S. Coast Guard reported completing 36 of the 49 actions it identified to reform its response to sexual misconduct, and it issued an updated implementation plan in August 2026. A feedback tool to engage the workforce was introduced in June 2026.

In November 2023 the Coast Guard listed 33 reform actions, later adding 16 more, for a total of 49. The actions include revising policy and filling new positions to address sexual misconduct. As of August 2026 the service had not updated timelines or outlined clear next steps for the remaining actions, nor had it established a systematic way to collect personnel feedback on whether reforms were effective.

GAO noted that the Coast Guard still lacks a performance plan to assess progress over time. The service has begun developing a tool that will draw metrics from current surveys and reports to create a baseline, but as of June 2026 it had not set goals or measures for that tool.

Congressional reporting also remains incomplete. The Coast Guard's 2022 report under 14 U.S.C. § 5112 was nearly a year late and omitted required information. Subsequent reports for 2023, 2024 and 2025 were also issued late and still lacked some statutory elements, despite GAO's January 2026 recommendation that future reports be complete and timely.

GAO warned that without full implementation of its recommendations, the Coast Guard risks missing the cultural and procedural changes needed to eliminate sexual misconduct and to provide Congress with reliable oversight data.