Sex at Sea: Sexual Crimes Aboard Cruise Ships

Incidents of sexual assault and sexual victimization are significantly more common on cruise ships than on land. Analysis of data from three major cruise lines, comprising more than 50% of the North American-based cruise industry, reveals that perpetrators are most often male crewmembers, victims are most often female passengers (over 17.5% younger than age 18), and that the assaults occur almost anywhere, though most frequently in passenger cabins. This article examines factors that may be related to the incidence of sexual assaults on cruise ships and concludes with a discussion of the steps cruise lines can take to address the problem.