Stories

You are not alone.

Read stories from other seafarers

Have you experienced sexual abuse or gender discrimination?

Names and places have been changed in these stories to protect the confidentiality of our contributors.

Trigger Warning – The stories below contain themes of sexual violence and suicidal thoughts. More detailed trigger warnings are given at the start of each story so that you can decide whether to continue to read.

Sexual assault

Gender based violence or discrimination

Sexual harassment

Two men are working on the side of a large white ship

Lea's Story

Over the years I have grown used to comments such as “Shouldn’t you be at home cooking?” or “Wouldn’t you be better off working in an office?”’...

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A large ship is docked in a harbor at sunset

Kate's Story

The chief officer asked me what I expected, living on a ship with grown men, and told me to grow up and stop causing trouble...

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A large ship is floating on top of a large body of water

Evelyn's Story

My cabin was in a dead end corridor next to his so I had to walk past his cabin to get to mine. He would leave his door open...

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A large red and black ship is in the water

Claire's Story

“There were times on that ship where the dream I had held on to for so long felt so far away, I stood on the poop deck...

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Jo's Story

I desperately wished my memory would give me a clue and reassure me – but it never did and in truth I was terrified what would come back...

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A large ship is docked in a harbor at night

Ian's Story

Having made the grade to go to sea (young people) will try to make the best of it, even if those who should help them do not, but they are easily hurt, must be treated with respect and nurtured....

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