Sexual assaults led crimes on cruise ships in 2023: FBI
SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) — The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has released information on the top crimes on cruise ships last year and topping the list is sexual assaults in what appears to be an upward trend.
According to the FBI San Diego office, out of 180 reports of crimes on cruise ships in 2023, the most reported crime was sexual assaults and rape, followed by physical assaults. The report also noted that alcohol was a main factor in many of the cases.
The FBI requires cruise lines to report to the bureau any crimes of homicide, suspicious deaths, missing U.S. nationals, kidnappings, assaults with serious bodily injuries, sexual assault, firing or tampering with a vessel, or theft of money or property of more than $10,000.
Out of those crimes, there were 52 reports of sexual assault, and 79 reports of rape reported to the FBI from cruise lines in 2023, which is by far the top reported crime, according to cruise line incident report data from the U.S. Department of Transportation.
However, how those crimes are enforced can get a bit complicated as the FBI does not always have jurisdiction. In August 2024, the FBI said they work with international partners to investigate crimes at sea beyond U.S. borders.
Cruise ship investigations are governed not only by U.S. law, but also by the laws of other nations and by international law. The FBI needs consent to board foreign vessels. Federal authorities also need consent from the U.S. Attorney's Office to determine if they have jurisdiction before boarding a ship.
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So far in 2024, there have been 25 reports of sexual assaults on cruise ships, 32 reports of rape, 16 reports of assault with serious bodily injury, 1 report of a suspicious death, 7 reports of theft, and 2 reports of missing U.S. nationals through June 30, 2024, according to Department of Transportation data.
Data from the past few years shows a trend of a rise in sexual assaults on cruise ships, which are up from 101 in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down cruises for a few years, and 87 in 2022, cruise line incident report data shows.
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It is unclear whether the actual number of cases are rising or just more people are reporting them. As the Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network (RAINN) says, two out of every three cases of sexual assaults are never reported.
There are several things you can do to lessen your chance of being a victim of a crime on a cruise ship. The FBI says passengers should avoid bringing valuable jewelry, be responsible when drinking, and book directly through the cruise line company when booking off boat excursions.
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Cruise lines have ship security on board where victims or witnesses can reports crimes at sea. The FBI says you can also report an incident directly to the FBI through the FBI's Victim Services Division.
