Current:Home > ScamsInvestigators headed to U.S. research base on Antarctica after claims of sexual violence, harassment -Secure Horizon Growth
Investigators headed to U.S. research base on Antarctica after claims of sexual violence, harassment
View
Date:2025-04-18 11:58:22
The watchdog office overseeing the National Science Foundation is sending investigators to Antarctica's McMurdo Station after hearing concerns about the prevalence of sexual violence at the U.S. research base.
Meanwhile, the NSF, a federal agency, said it's furthering its own efforts to address the "pervasive problem." The agency announced Friday that it is appointing Renée Ferranti as a special assistant to the NSF director to focus on sexual assault and harassment prevention and response.
An Associated Press investigation in August uncovered a pattern of women at McMurdo Station who said their claims of harassment or assault were minimized by their employers, often leading to them or others being put in further danger.
Internal communications obtained by the AP indicated the NSF Office of Inspector General would send investigators for a site visit from Monday through Nov. 17.
"We are in the process of expanding our investigative mission to include the investigation of criminal violations that occur in Antarctica," Lisa Vonder Haar, the chief of staff for the OIG, wrote in an email to the AP confirming the visit. "Such violations include aggravated sexual abuse, sexual abuse, abusive sexual contact, and stalking."
Vonder Haar said its special agents have been responding remotely to complaints from workers in Antarctica since July, and it plans to have a presence on the ice during future summers.
The AP investigation detailed the lack of support many women felt from those running the Antarctic program. One woman felt compelled to carry a hammer with her at all times for protection. Another woman who reported a colleague had groped her was made to work alongside him again.
In another case, a woman who told her employer she was sexually assaulted was fired two months later. A fourth woman said that bosses at the base downgraded her allegations from rape to harassment.
A 2022 NSF report found 59% of women said they'd experienced harassment or assault while on the ice. Alcohol was a factor in some cases.
In October, the NSF decided to stop serving alcohol at McMurdo Station's bars, although workers can still buy a weekly alcohol ration from the station store. The NSF told the AP the alcohol changes were related to morale and welfare, and were not aimed at preventing sexual harassment or assault.
On Friday, NSF Director Sethuraman Panchanathan said he was delighted to welcome Ferranti, who had more than 25 years of experience in sexual assault prevention.
"Addressing this pervasive problem remains a top priority for me and the agency, and with Renée's expertise we will continue to adapt and further accelerate our efforts to address the evolving landscape of sexual assault prevention and response," Panchanathan said in a statement.
Ferranti said in the release she hopes "to make a meaningful impact to advance NSF's progress in addressing sexual violence."
- In:
- Assault
- Sexual Assault
- Science
- Crime
veryGood! (8)
Related
- Romantasy reigns on spicy BookTok: Recommendations from the internet’s favorite genre
- Teen sues Detroit judge who detained her after falling asleep during courtroom field trip
- Best fantasy football value picks? Start with Broncos RB Javonte Williams
- Transgender Texans blocked from changing their sex on their driver’s license
- Hackers hit Rhode Island benefits system in major cyberattack. Personal data could be released soon
- Beyoncé's Cécred hair care line taps 'Love Island' star Serena Page for new video: Watch
- Google agreed to pay millions for California news. Journalists call it a bad deal
- Love Actually's Martine McCutcheon Reveals Husband Broke Up With Her After 18 Years Together
- 'Kraven the Hunter' spoilers! Let's dig into that twisty ending, supervillain reveal
- When do cats stop growing? How to know your pet has reached its full size
Ranking
- Can Bill Belichick turn North Carolina into a winner? At 72, he's chasing one last high
- Cincinnati Reds' Elly De La Cruz joins rare club with 20-homer, 60-steal season
- King Charles III Shares Rare Personal Update Amid Cancer Diagnosis
- 3-month-old baby is fatally mauled by dogs in attic while parents smoked pot, police say
- DoorDash steps up driver ID checks after traffic safety complaints
- Man charged in 2017 double homicide found dead at Virginia jail
- Tom Brady and Bridget Moynahan's Son Jack Is His Dad's Mini-Me in New Photo
- Feds indict 23 for using drones to drop drugs and cell phones into Georgia prisons
Recommendation
Biden administration makes final diplomatic push for stability across a turbulent Mideast
Transgender Texans blocked from changing their sex on their driver’s license
Injured Montana man survives on creek water for 5 days after motorcycle crash on mountain road
New Starbucks merch drop includes a Stanley cup collab: Here's what to know
Which apps offer encrypted messaging? How to switch and what to know after feds’ warning
With their massive resources, corporations could be champions of racial equity but often waiver
Family of Gov. Jim Justice, candidate for US Senate, reaches agreement to avoid hotel foreclosure
AP Week in Pictures: Global