NATIONAL MERCHANT MARINE PERSONNEL ADVISORYCOMMITTEE
(N-MERPAC)
TASK STATEMENT 21-9
Sexual Harassment and Sexual Assault- Prevention and Culture Change in the Merchant Marine
I. TASK DESCRIPTION
The Coast Guard seeks the input of industry, via N-MERPAC, to develop recommendations for the prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the maritime industry.
II. BACKGROUND
Reports to Congress and the media have raised concerns related to incidents of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the maritime industry. Past measures taken by government organizations and maritime industry stakeholders to address sexual assault and sexual harassment included attempts to provide protections for victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment, as well as efforts to change the maritime industry culture around sexual assault and sexual harassment. Despite these steps, recent social media posts indicate that problems persist and highlight the need for additional measures.
Seafarers are a key element of the safety equation therefore; their knowledge and opinions are valuable on how to affect change within the industry. Therefore, the Coast Guard seeks recommendations from N-MERPAC on measures to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment, and on measures to promote culture changes that reduce tolerance of sexual assault and sexual harassment behaviors in the Merchant Marine.
III. PROBLEM STATEMENT
Sexual assault and sexual harassment remain a significant problem affecting every segment of our society, including the Merchant Marine. When mariners are victimized in this manner, it undermines morale, compromises the strength of the fleet, and degrades performance of the marine transportation system. This task focuses on recommendations for the prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment within the maritime industry.
IV. TASK
The Coast Guard is seeking recommendations to maritime industry stakeholders at all levels on the prevention of sexual assault and sexual harassment within the industry. N-MERPAC should consider that sexual assault and sexual harassment can happen to anyone, regardless of any personal identifiers (such as gender, sex, rank, credential rating, crew involvement, experience level, etc.). N-MERPAC should consider that sexual assault and sexual harassment can be committed by anyone, regardless of any personal identifiers (such as gender, sex, rank, credential rating, crew involvement, experience level, etc.). The Coast Guard recognizes that some of the recommendations will need to be directed to maritime industry - employers, vessel owners, unions, academies, MARAD, etc.
Please provide recommendations to the Coast Guard and maritime industry stakeholders for the following:
- How would you describe current efforts to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment in the maritime industry?
- What efforts to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment are helping and which efforts are least helpful?
- To what extent have current efforts to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment been effective?
- What measures should be taken to prevent sexual harassment in the Merchant Marine?
- What measures should be taken to prevent sexual assault in the Merchant Marine?
- What measures should be taken to promote culture changes that reduce tolerance of sexual assault and sexual harassment behaviors in the Merchant Marine?
V. DUE DATE
This working group will remain in existence as a standing committee of N-MERPAC.
VI. COAST GUARD TECHNICAL REPRESENTATIVE
Ms. Megan Johns Henry (CG-MMC-1); megan.c.johns@uscg.mil.
VII. WORKING GROUP CHAIR
Gary Frommelt, Lindsay Price________ _11/18/2021___ ___1___
Name Date Meeting #
_________________________________ _______________________________
Jerry Pannell Ms. Mayte Medina
Chairman U.S. Coast Guard
N-MERPAC Designated Federal Officer
Accepted: 11/18/2021
Modified/Amended:
Closed:
