Resources

Sexual violence

Sexual violence refers to any act of a sexual nature where one or more parties did not provide consent. It includes sexual harassment, assault, and rape, and the taking and/or sharing of sexual images without consent.

For seafarers and yacht crew, the unique and challenging nature of working at sea can make instances of sexual violence distressing and difficult to manage. The lack of access to normal support systems, living and working on board, unclear reporting pathways, and the dynamics or power structures on board can lead survivors of sexual violence to remain silent about their experiences. It is common for survivors of sexual violence at sea to fear being disbelieved, reprimanded, job loss, or having to interact further with the perpetrator, leading to potentially significant mental distress.

At ISWAN, we believe you. You deserve to feel safe and have your personal boundaries respected.

How ISWAN can support you 

Although sexual violence can be extremely difficult to talk about, sharing your experiences and feelings in a confidential space with an empathetic person can help to alleviate the distress you feel. We are here to listen without judgement 24/7, 365 days a year.

We will never encourage or discourage you from reporting the perpetrator or an experience of sexual violence; instead, we will talk to you about what you want to do and how you would like to move forward. You are in control, and our job is to support you. 

Due to the nature of seafaring and yachting, many perpetrators remain on board the vessel with the crew, which can lead to the risk or concern of further sexual violence. We will support you to consider what you need, if anything, to help you feel safe. 

If you have experienced sexual violence, no matter when this occurred, you are not alone. We are here to listen and support you 24/7, 365 days a year. Please contact us at:

• SeafarerHelp – for all seafarers and their families
• YachtCrewHelp – for yacht crew

Other sources of support

Although challenging, a good first step can be talking to a trusted friend, family member or colleague to help you process what has happened and how you are feeling about it. Getting support from loved ones or those around you can give you comfort and help you feel less alone in navigating your experiences and feelings.

It is important to remember that only you can decide if you would like to make a report to your employer or union. No one should force you into this decision. If you have questions about this process, the Guidance on Eliminating Shipboard Harassment and Bullying (jointly published by the International Chamber of Shipping and the International Transport Workers’ Federation), provides useful advice on how your employer should handle reports of sexual harassment and assault. The link is in the Resources section below.

Survivors’ Network is a UK-based charity supporting survivors of sexual abuse and violence. They have published a Survivors Self Help Guide, which is a useful resource for survivors of sexual violence. This document helps individuals to understand, normalise and process their personal reactions to sexual violence. This guide is not a replacement for talking with an empathetic trusted person; however, it is a useful tool to guide you gently in exploring your feelings and introduce self-help strategies to manage your distress. The guide is available in English (including an easy-read format), Polish, Chinese, Arabic and Somali, and there is a version specifically for male survivors and supporters (i.e. family/friends of sexual violence survivors). The link to the guides can be found in the Resources section below.

Safer Waves is an organisation that runs an e-mail-based support system for merchant seafarers who have experienced sexual violence, harassment or gender discrimination. On their website, they also provide specific guidance on self-care following incidents of sexual violence and the process of reporting sexual violence while at sea. Although tailored to seafarers, much of this guidance is useful to yacht crew as well. You can find out more about the organisation on their website (linked below).

Salute Her UK provides confidential tailored support for women in the Armed Forces, women veterans and women at sea who have been affected by sexual assault, bullying and harassment. More information on their service is available below.

Resources

For all crew:

• Guidance on Eliminating Shipboard Harassment and Bullying (International Chamber of Shipping & International Transport Workers’ Federation)
• Survivors Self Help Guide (Survivors Network)
• Safer Waves
• Salute Her UK
• Rape Crisis – an umbrella body for a network of independent Rape Crisis Centres in England and Wales. Information, resources and helpline services are available.
• The Survivors Trust – the largest umbrella agency for specialist rape and sexual abuse services in the UK. Information, resources and helpline services are available.
• Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) – a US anti-sexual violence organisation. They provide information and a helpline service. More information on the definitions and limits of consent can be found on their website here.

For yacht crew:

• Personal Safety Precautions for Job-Seeking Yacht Crew (ISWAN)