IT is impossible to escape the focus being given globally to sexual assault and sexual harassment in the workplace. It affects all sectors of society, from industry to finance to entertainment to politics at the highest levels.

But victims are fighting back.

The #metoo Twitter campaign has given a forum to women to share their stories, and find their voice. Other outlets also exist.

The maritime industry is not exempt from objectionable behaviour. Some of it can be dismissed as tasteless banter, but much of it is more sinister; all of it is now unacceptable on any level.  

It is no secret that our industry is predominantly male — when I joined in 1992, women made up about 8% of the workforce, a number that is growing but which is still a long way from parity.

Quite naturally, I found myself in all-male environments which, in the main, suited me just fine.

There were times, though, when I was made uncomfortable by the tenor of the conversation or direct actions by individuals that are now being illuminated in the world’s spotlight as sexual harassment.

Three examples of incidents I have personal knowledge of within the industry that were objectionable and unacceptable have stuck with me.

The first occurred at an annual industry event when I was asked by one man in front of a group of men if I made love with my eyes open. The encounter was both embarrassing and powerful — because it was so shaming.

The second incident involved a man I have known for many years but who still thought it OK, following a dinner, to grab my hand and put it on his crotch (I have since learned that he has done the same to at least two other women, seemingly his modus operandi).

The third incident involved a major industry event when the audience was subjected to a PowerPoint presentation which included a slide of rows of naked men, women photo-shopped into dominatrixes, a naked man on an ice floe, and other tasteless images.

I raised the second incident with two board members within the institution in which the man works, but to my knowledge nothing was ever done.

The third example resulted in a number of complaints from those present and did lead to the organisation changing its behaviour, but not without resistance from some quarters.

Last year, the US Merchant Marine Academy’s (King’s Point) Sea Term was interrupted while the Maritime Administration investigated allegations of sexual assault and sexual harassment.

At last March’s CMA Women in Shipping and Trade Association (Wista) lunch I sat with five cadets from King’s Point and asked them about their experience. Three out of the five said they were victims of sexual assault and sexual harassment at the academy or on board their Sea Term vessel.

Furthermore, they told me that the most painful part of the experience were the actions of the academy alumni and parent associations who were working to deny there was a problem and attempting to push it under the rug. Sea Term has now been restored and new policies and protocols for reporting sexual assault and sexual harassment, without fear of reprisal, are now in force.

People from other industries that gain a glimpse of ours are appalled at the locker room jokes and misogynist behaviour that continues to pervade our industry (reference, too, the body-painted naked women at Nor-Shipping).

Our industry is better than this. Despite the gender imbalance, it is imperative that we foster a work environment where all feel safe.

Our industry needs to hold up a mirror and recognise that there is a need for change. For us to grow and thrive and be sustainable, we need diversity, we need diverse opinions. If we want to continue to attract women into this dynamic and important field, we need to provide a workplace where we feel respected and valued.

Not much has been said, yet, on this issue.

It is my fervent hope that organisations like Wista will speak up. At the very least, Wista can try to assess the magnitude of the problem by surveying its members (anonymously if so desired) to determine the pervasiveness of the problem in our industry and make the information available.

Further, Wista could be the “harbour of safe refuge” for professional women as they navigate the issues and work to identify strategies for securing a positive and productive work environment.

Let’s harness this moment to create an inviting, and safe, working environment for all.

Carleen Lyden Walker is chief executive of Morgan Marketing & Communications,
an IMO Maritime Ambassador and a member of Wista (Women’s International
Shipping and Trading Association).