Warning for Cruise Passengers as Sexual Assaults Hit New High

Our Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Attorneys Protect Victims’ Rights

Reports indicate that incidents of rape and sexual assault on cruise ships have surged to unprecedented levels. The alarming increase in these heinous crimes raises urgent concerns about passenger safety and underscores the need for robust measures to address this pervasive issue within the cruise industry. Worse, most passengers on cruise ships are completely unaware of the growing epidemic of cruise ship rape incidents occuring recently. Most passengers mistakenly believe they’re in a safe, secure, and controlled environment while on a cruise ship. In reality, security personnel are too few, public areas aboard ships are poorly supervised, and passengers are not warned about the increased incidents of sexual assaults aboard cruise ships. These incidents have been known to involve crewmembers either directly or assisting assailants to surreptitiously drug passenger’s drinks; befriending passengers to gain late night access to their cabins; and even crewmembers hiding in cabins or placing cameras in passenger cabins to view or record passengers (including young passengers) in various states of undress.  Efforts must be intensified to ensure the protection and well-being of all travelers aboard these vessels.  Beyond this, sexual assault victims should be prepared to hire a legal team experienced in this area to bring the guilty parties to justice, including the cruise line itself for it’s negligence in protecting them.

Sexual assault is a severe crime, and it can leave victims dealing with both criminal and civil cases that can be difficult to navigate. When you have experienced this painful, terrifying case type, reach out to the attorneys at Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A., who offer more than 250 years of combined experience and have recovered more than $300 million for their clients. Our accolades include our firm being named among the “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report, as well as multiple attorneys being named as “Best Lawyers”®. Our team is composed of leading trial attorneys with decades of knowledge and a proven track record for changing the legal landscape to help maritime workers and passengers get compensated.

Read on to learn more about the increasing number of sexual assaults on cruise lines and what cruise passengers can do to recover after these devastating incidents.

Cruise Ship Assault Numbers Are On The Rise

In 2023, the number of sexual assaults happening on cruise lines has increased dramatically. According to reports compiled by the FBI, 2023 saw 131 reported incidents. These numbers are significantly higher than the numbers in 2019 and 2022, the years before and after COVID restrictions prevented many cruises from departing. Note that these incidents do not include the many incidents that have not been reported.

These numbers are divided by the perpetrator as well. In 2023, of these cases, 98 were committed by other passengers and another 27 of these crimes were committed by crew members. These are also divided into 52 incidents of sexual assault and 79 instances of rape.

Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Numbers May Be Underrepresenting Actual Assaults

Worse, our attorneys are concerned that these numbers do not represent the true scope of assaults happening on cruise lines. According to our maritime expert Michael Winkleman, “These kinds of crimes are more common than travelers may realize. I think the general cruising public is just not aware of the prevalence of rapes and sexual assaults on cruise ships.” In fact, according to the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN), only two out of three sexual assaults are reported generally.

That means we may not actually know how many of these assaults are happening. With the lack of independent law enforcement and fear of reporting, many assault victims may not be reporting these cases. Winkleman also said, “… 99 of the 100 cases in our office at any given time are cruise ship incidents whether it’s crew members or passengers that get hurt.” With these barriers to reporting and aid, the numbers may be even higher than we know.

Cruise Ship Assault Victims May Be Entitled to Compensation

Fortunately, you are not simply on your own if you experience sexual assault or rape on a cruise ship. In fact, our attorneys can guide you through the steps to pursue economic and non-economic damages for the suffering you have experienced. These damages may include the following:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages if you are unable to return to work
• Emotional trauma
• Pain and suffering
• Fear and anxiety
• Property damage incurred during the attack

Sexual assault and rape can have ongoing impacts on your quality of life, even years after the attack. Because of this, our team works with sexual assault victims as soon as possible, providing them with the legal and emotional support they need during this difficult time. If you are pursuing compensation for your sexual assault or rape claim, our team is here to help hold the at-fault party, both the perpetrator and the cruise line that failed to provide safety precautions, accountable.

How Our Law Firm Can Help You Following a Sexual Assault on a Cruise Ship

In the aftermath of a sexual assault on a cruise line, you may need an attorney to provide the legal guidance needed to seek the total compensation you are due. Identifying what your compensation is worth can be difficult, as you will need to consider both the tangible and intangible suffering you have experienced because of your injuries. It can also be challenging to calculate the damages you have already experienced and the ongoing coverage you may need in the future.

Taking these steps alone can be difficult. Not only is this a high-tension type of claim, but the cruise line company may try to avoid paying the full amount you are due or allowing the claim to continue to protect its reputation. Our attorneys have decades of experience in the maritime legal industry, meaning we have the tools and knowledge to tackle the mini obstacles they may use to prevent your compensation.

Legal representation in the courtroom against these cruise lines can also make your sexual assault case easier to navigate. When you have an attorney on your side, you can spend less time worrying about saying the wrong thing as you navigate the courtroom. You can instead let your attorney guide your case with decades of trial experience while you focus on your physical and emotional recovery.

Our Cruise Ship Sexual Assault Lawyers Fight for the Injured and Suffering and Pursue Maximum Compensation

When you have experienced something as devastating as sexual assault on a cruise ship, do not hesitate to reach out to Lipcon, Margulies & Winkleman, P.A. As a firm named among the “Best Law Firms”® by US News & World Report since 2016, we are equipped to help clients like you get compensated for your needs. In the 50 years since our firm’s founding, we have worked hard to help injury victims like you get the care and support you need.

When you are ready to seek compensation for your injuries, do not hesitate to reach out for a free consultation. During your consultation, we will discuss how our attorneys can help you, from your initial investigation to the final verdict in the courtroom. In high-emotion cases like these, we offer strong support that can help guide you through this difficult time.

To get started with a free consultation, reaching out is simple. All you have to do is give us a call at 877-233-1238. Alternatively, you can fill out our online contact form.