70% of Cruise Ship Sexual Assaults Occurred Aboard Royal Caribbean or Carnival

Since January of 2010, there have been nearly 500 reports of sexual assaults aboard cruise vessels. The majority of these sexual assaults occurred aboard Royal Caribbean and Carnival Cruises, the two largest cruise operators in the U.S. That accounts for nearly 70% of all sexual assaults reported on cruise ships.

According to the cruise lines, these statistics show a distorted picture of claims related to sexual assault. In other words, they carry more passengers, but the statistics do not necessarily show that you are more likely to be attacked aboard a cruise ship than in other locations.

In 2010, Congress passed a sweeping piece of cruise line legislation that required cruise ships to report any crimes to the FBI. Sexual assault remains the most reported crime aboard cruise ships according to numbers gleaned from the Department of Transportation. Sexual assault makes up about 75% of all reported crimes aboard cruise ships. 82% of these sexual assaults are committed by passengers. The rest are committed by employees.

What are cruise lines doing to curb instances of sexual assault? 

At present, cruise lines are not doing much of anything to curb instances of sexual assault aboard their vessels. The cruise lines could, for example, add surveillance cameras or hire more security personnel. Thus far, they have balked at such considerations citing the cost of doing business. Many believe it is cheaper for cruise lines to simply settle lawsuits that have been filed against them than to add more security personnel or install more security cameras.

How can I file a lawsuit against a cruise line for sexual assault? 

It can be difficult in many cases to hold the cruise line accountable for a sexual assault that was committed by another passenger. You must be able to establish negligence in these cases. It’s much easier to sue a cruise line for a sexual assault that was committed by one of its employees. In that case, the cruise line would be vicariously liable for any injuries caused by its employees.

In one case, a teenaged girl was raped by several customers who were plying her with alcohol in full view of the bar. The cruise line was sued in that case. Oftentimes, however, the results of these lawsuits are never made public as the cruise lines don’t want it getting out that sexual assault is a problem aboard their vessels. In these cases, the cruise lines settle the case under seal with an agreement of confidentiality from the victim. The victims are thus prevented from discussing the results of the case, their monetary compensation, or the sexual assault itself.

Talk to a Miami, FL Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Attorney Today 

Miami admiralty & maritime lawyer Michael F. Guilford represents the rights of those who have been sexually assaulted aboard a cruise ship vessel. Call our office today to schedule a free consultation and we can begin discussing your path to recovery immediately.

Source:

businessinsider.com/royal-caribbean-carnival-sexual-assaults-cruise-lines-2023-1