SEXUAL HARASSMENT IN MARINE SCIENCE REPORT

At Women in Ocean Science, we are committed to fighting against sexual harassment. In September 2020, WOS launched a Sexual Harassment Survey to help gauge how prevalent sexual harassment in the marine science workplace and learning environments is – and what deters women from reporting it. In December 2021, WOS re-opened an ongoing survey into sexual harassment.

THE CULTURE OF SILENCE

Perpetuated by power differentials, a “leaky pipeline” of female representation decreasing with seniority and lack of faith in the reporting system, to this day, many instances of sexual harassment to go unreported, creating a culture of silence. Until the release of this report, the recognition of the matter had manifested largely through personal observation and anecdotal statements, confined to a whisper network amongst friends or peers, for fear of reprisal or damaging career trajectory.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO TACKLE SEXUAL HARASSMENT?

Gender bias, discrimination, and harassment are cited as leading drivers of female underrepresentation in marine science, so as we push for more women in science, we must also address these underlying issues. Women should not be deterred from pursuing a career in marine science by the possibility of sexual harassment, nor prompted to leave this field due to systemic failures.

WHAT ARE THE LEARNINGS FROM THE REPORT?

From physical acts of rape to the tired “it’s just a joke” narrative that normalises harassment, the report highlights just how important it is to ensure that we are creating a safe space for all in marine science. It not only raises serious questions as to whether current reporting systems are effective (or even in place at all) but to whether we are failing to diffuse power dynamics that enable harassment to persist. Tackling sexual harassment requires concerted action, and WOS is seeking cooperation of universities, workplaces and field projects to address the matter.