The maritime sector launches 'Unspoken' to combat sexual harassment, with 80% of seafarers affected in the last five years.
The global maritime sector has taken a new step to address the issues of sexual harassment and assault on ships. According to research, approximately 80% of seafarers have witnessed or directly experienced sexual crimes in the past five years. Long working hours, increased stress, isolation, and predominantly single-gender working environments are cited as the main reasons.
A Common Framework Will Be Prepared Across the Sector
To solve the problem, the Global Maritime Forum and the All Aboard Alliance have launched a new initiative called 'Unspoken.' As part of the project, a global framework will be established to help maritime companies better identify, prevent, and effectively respond to unwanted sexual behaviors on ships.
The initiative aims to address the lack of concrete data regarding sexual crimes at sea.
Anonymous Testimonies from Seafarers Will Be Collected
Under 'Unspoken,' seafarers will be able to share their experiences of sexual harassment and assault at sea anonymously. The data obtained will aim to provide a more accurate assessment of the severity of incidents and to develop appropriate intervention mechanisms.
The framework is expected to be completed within two years, with the goal of making life at sea safer for everyone.
Aiming for Safer and More Inclusive Maritime Practices
Mikael Skov, Co-Chair of the All Aboard Alliance, stated that the maritime sector needs to confront the harsh realities of life at sea, noting that this will transform the sector into a more attractive career field.
Meei Wong, the other Co-Chair of the Alliance, emphasized that the lack of data is a significant issue and expressed that the new process was initiated by directly listening to seafarers.
Support from The Seafarers' Charity
The initiative is funded by The Seafarers' Charity, which supports the safety and welfare of seafarers and their families worldwide.
Source: SeaNews Türkiye
