This is a culture at sea that has to change and it is obvious to me that the companies and the labor unions are not doing enough. Unfortunately that culture sneaks its way back to KP.
An upperclassman told me before my first sea year "drink everything they put in front of you and f--- everything they put in front of you." It doesn't sound like much has changed over the years other than we have policies now, which apparently go unenforced.
30 years ago there was little to no safety culture. I was a Cadet just before the passage of the International Safety Management Code, we did incredibly stupid things all day, then would sit on the stern drinking and trying to top each other with stories of how we almost died that day. Worst of all, we thought it was funny. Things have changed in this regard, why not in regards to sexual harassment/assault?
1. The crew should not have been drinking to excess while at sea
2. The subject M/N should not have been pressured/bullied in to participating
3. Anyone of those assembled should have felt comfortable to intervene and defend her from the pressure/bullying
4. When she was brought back to her cabin, she should not have been left alone with anyone
5. There is clearly a culture problem on this vessel if she did not feel comfortable approaching the Master with at least some story if not the full details.
6. There is clearly a culture problem at this company if the culture problem on the vessel was allowed
7. There is clearly a culture problem at the labor unions if anyone feels it is OK to be silent or defend an offender of far less than this cadet suffered.
My advice to any M/N going to see would be exactly the opposite of what was told to me. Be yourself, be strong in your beliefs, don't let anyone pressure/bully you into doing anything you don't want to do, you will likely never see any of these people again so who cares what they think, whatever pat on the back you think you may get isn't worth it, a bad review isn't worth it, in the end you have to look yourself in the mirror and that is all that matters.