Reports From Antarctica
November 4, 2023 in News by RBN Staff
Source: DailyMail.co.uk
Investigators head to remote McMurdo Station in Antarctica to probe sexual assault and harassment claims made by women who said they’re being put in danger – with one saying she is forced to carry around a HAMMER for her own safety
- Antarctica’s isolated U.S. research base was exposed for harboring a toxic and dangerous work environment for women
- Over 50% of women stationed in the remote continent claim they were sexually harassed or assaulted, an NSF report showed
- Now investigators are being sent South to crack down on the ‘macho’ culture that has enabled the high rates of sexual violence
Investigators have been sent to Antarctica after a chilling report revealed that over half of the women working at the continent’s U.S. base have experienced sexual violence.
Antarctica is known for its vast icy terrain and isolated location, characteristics that mystify and intrigue outsiders – but also characteristics that have led to a rampant culture of sexual abuse.
McMurdo Station – the U.S. Antarctic research station – is under investigation for harboring a shockingly high number of sexual assault and harassment claims.
The cluster of buildings is stationed on the south tip of Ross Island and hosts up to 1,200 residents over the summer – a large majority of Antarctica’s population. At least a third of those residents are women. In the winter, the number dwindles to about 200 people.
The National Science Foundation is sending investigators to McMurdo in an effort to address the overwhelming amount of sexual violence that allegedly takes place at the remote research base.
Antarctica is known for its vast icy terrain and isolated location, characteristics that mystify and intrigue most people – but also characteristics that have led to a rampant culture of sexual abuse
McMurdo Station – the U.S. Antarctic research station – is under investigation for harboring a shockingly high number of sexual assault and harassment claims . The cluster of buildings is stationed on the south tip of Ross Island and hosts up to 1,200 residents – a large majority of Antarctica’s population
The investigation was inspired by a marine diesel mechanic from Maine who confessed she kept a hammer in her sports bra to protect herself because she was crippled with fear that she was going to be sexually assaulted or killed (Pictured Liz Monahon – the mechanic)
Renée Ferranti, who boasts over 25 years experience in sexual assault prevention, was chosen to be the NSF’s new special assistant to the federal agency’s director.
Ferranti’s role will ‘coordinate cross-agency activities, drive policy implementation and provide expert analysis and evaluation of a sexual assault prevention and response program procedures,’ according to an NSF statement released on Thursday.
Ferranti said: ‘I am honored to join NSF and contribute to the important work of sexual assault prevention and response.’
The Earth’s southernmost continent holds a total population of as little as 1,300 in winter and no more than 5,100 during the summer months.
Antarctica is governed by about 30 countries – all of which are parties of the 1959 Antarctic Treaty System.
The isolated community was exposed by an AP investigation that uncovered dramatic rates of sexual assault and harassment – amongst other claims that women’s outcries were not taken seriously.
The investigation was inspired by a marine diesel mechanic from Maine who confessed she kept a hammer in her sports bra to protect herself because she was crippled with fear that she was going to be sexually assaulted or killed.
Liz Monahon, 35, was the mechanic who spoke out against the raging harassment she and many other women on the U.S. base were facing.
Monahon described being trapped in the toxic and dangerous secluded environment, she said: ‘No one was there to save me but me. And that was the thing that was so terrifying.’
