1. United States
2. Letter

Elsie Dominguez was raped in her bed aboard the USNS Carson City by the ship's captain, who used a master key to enter her private quarters. She followed proper reporting procedures. The result? Her lawsuit was dismissed as a workers' comp claim, her health insurance lapsed during a year of unpaid leave she was forced to take, and the perpetrator — Yamil Sanchez Padilla — sat on paid administrative leave the entire time. He ultimately surrendered his mariner credentials instead of facing prosecution. That is not accountability. I want you to push for a full reinvestigation of Sanchez Padilla's conduct and pursue every available avenue to bring criminal charges. Dominguez lost a year of income and benefits while he kept his paycheck. She deserves to be made whole financially for that lost salary. The Military Sealift Command operates 130 civilian-crewed ships — this will happen again if the message is that captains face no real consequences. Fix the legal gap that lets rape aboard a federal vessel be classified as a workplace injury. No one should have to fight for years just to be told their assault is equivalent to a dislocated shoulder.