FBI reports a staggering number of rapes on cruises in recent years
According to the FBI, the number of complaints and assaults on cruise ships has increased significantly over the past 5 years. In addition, last year alone, 131 cases of sexual violence were recorded during a cruise, 79 of which were rapes.
According to experts, such disappointing statistics are the result of the rapid demand for cruise travel and the availability of alcohol on board. This was reported by the New York Post.
As previously reported by TravelWise, last week the spotlight was on the case of two friends who were drugged and raped during a cruise in the Bahamas. However, since they were off the ship, the Royal Bahamas Police Force is handling their case. The investigation is currently ongoing.
However, danger can be found not only on land. Michael Winkleman, a veteran maritime lawyer and attorney from Miami, said that potential criminals believe that they will not be punished for these acts on the ship: "There's a sense that when you're on a cruise ship, you have a better chance of getting away with bad things than on land."
That's why, according to the victims' lawsuits, most of the attacks were committed by ship employees in places such as DJ booths and in blind spots where cameras do not record what is happening in a particular place.
For example, last year, in a fitness room on board a Carnival cruise, a teenage girl was approached by a gym employee with an offer of a free stretching service. He took the girl to a private area where, according to the victim, he sexually assaulted her. The case is currently under investigation.
According to maritime lawyer Jack Hickey, cruise lines are fiercely protective of their reputations and vigorously contest lawsuits brought against them. He added that there is also a significant risk due to the free access to alcohol on board.
"Cruise lines get a large percentage of their revenue from beverage sales. They do it very liberally," Jack said.