The Vancouver Observer published an interesting article today which addressed, as the newspaper called it, the "moral dilemmas associated with cruise tourism."
The article was entitled the "Cost of Cruising," by Dr. Ross Klein. In addition to addressing the effects of cruise pollution, it raised the issue of crime aboard cruise ship – particularly sexual assaults:
"The rate of sexual assault and sexual harassment on Royal Caribbean International’s ships in the period 2003 – 2005 was approximately 50 percent higher than the rate in Canada.
The rate of sexual assault on Carnival Cruise Lines’ ships from October 2007 – October 2008 similarly was 50 percent higher than the rate in Canada. These assaults were perpetrated by crew members as well as by passengers, and the victims were both crew members and passengers.
It is astonishing that more than 17.5 percent of the sexual assault victims were minors – children under the age of 18. While Royal Caribbean International appears to have improved its record between 2003 – 2005 and 2007 – 2008, the problem still exists. Passengers need to be aware that cruise ships are not as safe as purported to be, and that they (and their children) need to take the same precautions on board a ship as they do in any major city."
Dr. Klein’s resarch led him to conclude at least 79 minors were sexually assaulted from 2003 – 2005 on Royal Caribbean cruise ships.
We recently discussed the issue of sexual abuse of children on cruise ships. This is a very real risk. The cruise industry tries to keep these crimes secret from the U.S. public.
Photo Credit: Mail Online