Tall Ships America: Tackling the Difficult Questions by Dr. Kris Von Wald, Executive Director, Tall Ships America This year’s Annual Conference on Sail Training and Tall Ships, held this past February in San Pedro, California, included a general session presentation and overview of the results of the Industry Survey of Sexual Harassment & Assault in the Tall Ships Fleet, conducted in 2018. The conference also included panels and sessions addressing the topic from a human resources and legal perspective, providing opportunities for participants to ask questions and offer their perspectives as we strive to address, head on, a problem that is being discussed across all industries and work places. This focus followed an open and lively panel at the 2018 annual conference, where the topic was raised and issues of sexual harassment in the tall ships community were confronted. Dr. Kathleen Moore, assistant professor of intelligence analysis at James Madison University, who has a background in the tall ship fleet as well, volunteered to survey the community and analyze the results to move the conversation toward an evidencebased response. The purpose of the survey was to collect data on the experiences of members and former members of the sail training community. The survey was distributed through networks of members of the tall ships community and is a modification of the Cornell University Survey of Campus Sexual Assault. It included both qualitative and quantitative data, demographic information, and opportunities to provide general and specific comments in response to certain questions. Analysis of the data was done using software to evaluate and organize comments according to discernible themes. Overall, based on results of this survey, the tall ship industry appears to fall within the normal reporting ranges of sexual harassment and assault as reported generally to the United States Equal Opportunity Commission. Of the survey of aggressive activities, verbal harassment received the highest reporting rate (48%), falling within the normal range of general reporting (45%) to the USEOC as of 2016. There were a large number of respondents who reported being unsure as to whether they had to tolerate bad behavior, if bad behavior interfered with their or others’ work, or whether they felt a complaint was properly resolved. These responses may be speaking to issues of communication and understanding about policy and process when it comes to what constitutes sexual harassment and what can or will be done about it. Concerns were also raised about how those who are alleged or repeat offenders continue to work in the industry because the need for cap- Tall Ships America organizes the TALL SHIPS CHALLENGE® tains and crew is high and reference checks are Series each year, where a fleet of sailing ships races between ports and not routinely performed. participates in maritime festivals in official host cities. This summer’s It is deeply concerning to learn that there series takes place in the Great Lakes. Visit the Tall Ships America are people who work in the tall ships fleet who website for details: www.sailtraining.org. have experienced sexual harassment in their workplace. Tall Ships America member organizations are working together to identify the issues and take an evidence-based approach toward resolving them. It is encouraging to hear that organizations say they have anti-bullying and harassment policies, but policies only take us part of the way. Following the conference, Tall Ships America supplied a resource packet containing the full survey report and relevant information and resources to conference attendees; this resource will be available to members through the Tall Ships America website. Safety across the tall ships fleet is the ultimate priority, and that includes physical, emotional, and intellectual safety for all who participate, work and volunteer in the industry. Working together is more likely to bring about the cultural changes that eliminate sexual harassment across the fleet. (Tall Ships America, 221 3rd St., Bldg. 2, Ste. 101, Newport, RI; Ph. 401 846-1775; www.sailtraining.org) 50 50
SEA HISTORY HISTORY 167, 167, SUMMER SUMMER 2019 2019 SEA