What to Do if You are a Victim of Cruise Ship Sexual Assault

If you have been the victim of a cruise ship sexual assault, it is important that you take the proper steps to ensure that any injuries are treated. Immediately after the incident, you should go to the ship’s infirmary for a rape examination and treatment of any physical injuries. It is essential that you not eat, drink, shower, bathe, brush your teeth or go to the restroom before a rape examination is conducted. This is to ensure that any evidence indicating the crime’s perpetrator is preserved. You should explain the situation to the treating medical professional so that he or she can administer the proper exam and record any results in your medical file.

After you have ensured that any immediate physical injuries have been properly treated, you should report the cruise ship assault to the ship’s security officer. You should also immediately report the incident to the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) if you have access to a satellite phone or other communication device. Because cruise ship assaults occur on open waters, the FBI assumes responsibility for investigating such crimes.

Immediately following a cruise sexual assault, the crime scene should be preserved to ensure that the proper evidence is collected. While the ship’s security officer may preserve the crime scene, it is important that you are aware of the security precautions taken.

The ship’s security officer should also assist you in identifying the crewmember or passenger that attacked you. It is also important to obtain the names and contact information of all crewmembers and passengers who witnessed the incident or who may have any other information related to the sexual assault. Taking these steps is important to preserving any evidence from the crime scene, so that your attacker can later be prosecuted.

Once your cruise ship returns to the United States, you should take the following steps:

• If a rape test was not already administered on the cruise ship, immediately go to the nearest rape treatment center
• Obtain medical treatment for any long-lasting physical injuries
• Seek psychological counseling

Cruise ship sexual assault can be a traumatic and life-altering experience. To ensure that your perpetrator is punished and that you fully recover from this horrifying incident, it is important that you are not afraid to discuss it with law enforcement officials and medical personnel.