Paula Coughlin (born 1962) is a former U.S. Navy helicopter pilot known for exposing the 1991 Tailhook sexual assault scandal. As a lieutenant commander, she was sexually assaulted at a Navy aviator convention in Las Vegas and subsequently reported the incident. Her allegations led to a major Department of Defense investigation, resulting in disciplinary actions against multiple officers and significant reforms in military sexual harassment policies. Coughlin became a symbol of women's rights and military reform, though she faced professional retaliation. Her story has been featured in documentaries and books, inspiring victims worldwide.
