In this episode of Sea Views podcast I am talking with the CEO’s of two vital charities which support seafarers who have suffered sexual violence.  Becky Newdick founded Safer Waves and Paula Edwards runs Salute Her UK.   We recorded this episode during the recent campaign by the World Health Organisation “16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence”.   We talk about how prevalent the issue is for women working at sea especially, and why this job puts seafarers in such a uniquely vulnerable environment compared to shore jobs. Recent research shows that the majority of women working at sea in the cargo sector have suffered sexual violence and harassment;  Port Based Welfare Needs Of Women Working on Cargo Ships What are the consequences for people dealing with the trauma from these incidents and what are some of the solutions to improve the future working environment at sea for seafarers? If I sound a little gloomy in this episode that is because I was feeling sad.  This is a bleak topic and I can’t pretend otherwise.    If you have been affected by any of the issues in this podcast please make contact with the charities for support: SAFER WAVES For confidential support, email our trained volunteers at: [email protected] SALUTE HER UK If you need help please contact Paula on Mobile: 07861748522 or via the website: www.saluteher.co.uk CHIRP Improving safety at sea worldwide through the confidential and independent reporting programme. Make an incident report to CHIRP Maritime here The Seafarers' Charity Improving the lives of seafarers and their families for more than 105 years. Sound and engineering by Rocket Ears