Reports of Sexual Assault on Cruise Ships Rise Significantly in 2023

The cruise industry faced a concerning trend in 2023 as reports of sexual assault onboard ships saw a significant increase, according to an analysis by USA Today. Data from the U.S. Department of Transportation reveals that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) received 131 reports of sex crimes on cruises embarking and disembarking from the United States last year. This figure marks a substantial 50 percent increase from the 87 sex crimes reported in 2022, highlighting a growing concern for safety and security on cruise vacations.

To provide further context, the numbers reported in 2023 contrast sharply with previous years. Before the pandemic’s impact on the cruise industry, there were 101 sex crimes reported in 2019 and 82 in 2018, indicating a rising trend in such incidents.

Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA), the trade group representing the global cruise industry, underscores the strict reporting requirements for crimes on board vessels that depart from or return to the U.S. Anne Madison, a spokeswoman for CLIA, emphasized the industry’s commitment to safety, stating that cruise lines are required to report serious crimes, irrespective of the ship’s location or registration. Madison also pointed out that maritime law holds cruises to a high standard of liability, especially in cases of assaults against travelers by employees.

Despite these reports, CLIA maintains that cruising remains one of the safest vacation options available. Madison highlighted the industry’s stringent security measures and the rarity of major crimes on board, asserting a zero-tolerance policy for criminal behavior. “Cruise ships are one of the safest vacation options in the world, with rates of serious crimes that are exceedingly lower than those on land due to multiple layers of security and the nature of cruising,” Madison explained.

The increase in reported sexual assaults comes at a time when the cruise industry is experiencing significant growth. CLIA estimated that 31.5 million people would sail on ocean-going vessels in 2023, a 13 percent increase from the 29.7 million passengers in 2019. This rise in passenger numbers underscores the importance of continuing to enhance safety and security measures onboard to protect all guests.

See also this helpful link: Helping Survivors & Child Sexual Abuse helpingsurvivors.org/child-sexual-abuse/