What to Do if You are a Victim of Cruise Ship Statutory Rape

If you are under the age of 16 and have engaged in sexual relations with an adult, you are a victim of statutory rape, regardless of whether you consented to the activity at the time. Victims of cruise ship rape should take certain steps to ensure that the proper evidence is preserved at the time of the incident. If you or your child is a victim of cruise ship sexual assault, you should take the following steps to preserve any evidence of the rape:

• Immediately go to the ship’s infirmary for a rape examination
• Do not eat, drink, shower, bathe, brush your teeth or go to the restroom before a rape examination is conducted
• Fully explain your situation to the attending medical professional so that he or she can administer the proper examination and correctly record any results in your medical file

You should also ensure that any immediate physical injuries have been treated properly. Once you are safe and the rape examination has been administered, you should contact the Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) to report the situation. You should also report the incident to the ship’s security officer. The security officer should take precautions to preserve the crime scene until law enforcement officials arrive. Such precautions should include:

• Sealing off the crime scene until law enforcement officials arrive
• Only allowing law enforcement officials access to the scene
• Taking pictures of the crime scene, as well as any injuries sustained
• Requiring any individuals entering the scene should to wear gloves and booties, to avoid disturbing any of the evidence

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.

A rape on cruise ship can be a horrible and traumatic experience, especially for a younger child. Ensure that you obtain the proper help following your return home and do not be afraid to talk about your experience. While cruise ship rape can be embarrassing, it is not your fault and you should remember that your friends and family want to help and support you during this hard time.