- Joined
- Nov 7, 2014
- Messages
- 16
I think this is a problem around the country - not just at USMMA. Infuriating to a father with a daughter.It is a widespread problem and will not improve because the leadership at USMMA refuses to acknowledge the problem even exists. Women are reluctant to report due to retaliation at KP and in the industry and the fear that they will be blamed for another sea year shut down.
I meant more the reluctance to report and the failure of leadership.It is, but being out at sea with nowhere to escape compounds the seriousness of the problem.
100% and that is horrifying. I am surprised USMMA would put a female midshipman in a situation where she would be the ONLY female on the vessel. One would think they would leverage opportunities to put 3 or 4 together. I certainly understand a female ship officer is rare and you cannot expect to always find a voyage with a non-student female on board, but these pairings are chosen by the school - so there is some degree of control over this. As a parent of a male, I can imagine the pressure this would put on the male sea-year partner to serve as the buffer. My mindset today is to enter into the trip knowing this can happen and that you must serve as the battle buddy for your classmate and never let her be alone with other members of the crew. It sounds overwhelming to me and I seriously hope this is not a future conversation I will have with my son. Even having the conversation pre-trip then puts a spoken/unspoken responsibility on the sea year partner to prevent an act of assault. It almost plants a seed that if something does happen, that there would be a mental feeling of responsibility for failing to prevent an assault. That is a lot to shoulder for anyone, let alone a 20 year old.It is, but being out at sea with nowhere to escape compounds the seriousness of the problem.
Taking everything reported as true, a 10% rape incidence is beyond horrific. I used to do attend congressional service academy days to talk up the academy. I wonder how telling a room of 500 people, with all service academies represented, that KP had a 10% rape rate in our crown jewel sea year. How do you think that would go over with the US representatives and senators? Or the parents? Or the high school age women considering attending? The companies and individuals involved need to be held accountable to the maximum extent of the law.100% and that is horrifying. I am surprised USMMA would put a female midshipman in a situation where she would be the ONLY female on the vessel. One would think they would leverage opportunities to put 3 or 4 together. I certainly understand a female ship officer is rare and you cannot expect to always find a voyage with a non-student female on board, but these pairings are chosen by the school - so there is some degree of control over this. As a parent of a male, I can imagine the pressure this would put on the male sea-year partner to serve as the buffer. My mindset today is to enter into the trip knowing this can happen and that you must serve as the battle buddy for your classmate and never let her be alone with other members of the crew. It sounds overwhelming to me and I seriously hope this is not a future conversation I will have with my son. Even having the conversation pre-trip then puts a spoken/unspoken responsibility on the sea year partner to prevent an act of assault. It almost plants a seed that if something does happen, that there would be a mental feeling of responsibility for failing to prevent an assault. That is a lot to shoulder for anyone, let alone a 20 year old.
The blog post is mind blowing to me that we find ourselves here in 2021 with greater than a 10% incident rate.
You're right over the target.Others allow repeat offenders to remain employed and crews rally around the culprit, lying through their teeth to preserve the status quo.
100% and that is horrifying. I am surprised USMMA would put a female midshipman in a situation where she would be the ONLY female on the vessel. One would think they would leverage opportunities to put 3 or 4 together. I certainly understand a female ship officer is rare and you cannot expect to always find a voyage with a non-student female on board, but these pairings are chosen by the school - so there is some degree of control over this. As a parent of a male, I can imagine the pressure this would put on the male sea-year partner to serve as the buffer. My mindset today is to enter into the trip knowing this can happen and that you must serve as the battle buddy for your classmate and never let her be alone with other members of the crew. It sounds overwhelming to me and I seriously hope this is not a future conversation I will have with my son. Even having the conversation pre-trip then puts a spoken/unspoken responsibility on the sea year partner to prevent an act of assault. It almost plants a seed that if something does happen, that there would be a mental feeling of responsibility for failing to prevent an assault. That is a lot to shoulder for anyone, let alone a 20 year old.
The blog post is mind blowing to me that we find ourselves here in 2021 with greater than a 10% incident rate.
Read @Capt MJ post above.This was sickening. I have a pit in my stomach reading this and am considering withdrawing my application.
That view creates a chicken and egg, or egg and chicken paradox. How are USMMA or the shipping companies supposed to do anything about it if incidents aren't reported contemporaneously so that an appropriate investigation can occur? We can't just assume guilt after the fact. The accused has rights as well.Reporting in this instance would almost certainly have led to retaliation. While your statement is objectively true, it lacks empathy. How can we expect young men and women to report when they feel they aren’t protected from retaliation? Especially when they’re at sea.