New Survey Published - Sexual Offences at Sea:

Experiences of Victimisation, Witnessing and Reporting

Researchers from the University of Winchester, in close collaboration with Safer Waves and Devon & Cornwall Police, have conducted a focused survey of UK seafarers providing insights into the experiences of individuals relating to sexual offences at sea. Safer Waves are pleased to publish the full report and the executive summary below. 

Participants identified that a range of sexual offences have occurred at sea within the last 5 years, with gender discrimination and sexual harassment being experienced most frequently (as either a victim or witness). More serious sexual offences were also reported in the survey relatively frequently.  Most victims were female, whereas witnesses were male.  All types of offences were not often reported either formally or informally to colleagues or maritime/legal organisations, and rarely resulted in satisfactory outcomes for the reporting individual.

Safer Waves was created acknowledging the unique challenges and barriers that seafarers face in obtaining appropriate support and reporting what they have experienced. The data provided in this study further evidence the need for such tailored resources and methods that provide victims the opportunity to obtain psychological and legal advice and assistance.