Tag: bullying

The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) has identified abuse and harassment -including sexual abuse and harassment- as key challenges to seafarers’ mental health.

The legal protection of human rights is adequate, but the big challenge in maritime is the enforceability of the law that is already in place, experts agreed in a recent podcast on maritime law.

The IMO Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 9) took place 6-10 February 2023 in IMO headquarters, adopting STCW training provisions on bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Following a female cadet’s sexual assault onboard a vessel while attending the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy last November, ITF called industry to work with seafarers as assault case reverberates, highlighting that this incident underlines the urgent need for action to eliminate violence in the workplace.

An in-depth survey conducted by WISTA International, Anglo Eastern, ISWAN and ICS, revealed shocking figures in gender-based discrimination against women, onboard harassment and bullying. The survey was completed by 1128 women from 78 countries.

As the world tries to recover from the effects of the recent pandemic, other key challenges to seafarers’ mental health are coming to light, particularly abuse, bullying, harassment and discrimination.

Ayse Asli Basak, one of the world’s three-port captains, has developed an application that allows women to report harassment, mobbing, and any violence they experience on board.

During the 105th session of the IMO Maritime Safety Committee, members agreed to the establishment of an IMO/ILO joint group to consider bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment.

Women and minority groups are especially exposed to bullying and harassment at sea. This is shown in a scientific article by Cecilia Österman and Magnus Boström at Kalmar Maritime Academy at Linnaeus University.