My Daughter's story

[bhughes1231]

During her off hours, On November 10, 2005 my Daughter was with other employees of the Pride of America (Norwegian Cruise Lines). Another employee hand her a drink and said "Drink this". Within 30 minutes after drinking this drink she has know memory of the night. When she awoke the next morning she new something was wrong. She was weak, shaking, nauseas with no memory of the night before, but she knew something had happened. She went to the ships nurse, at which time she told the security officer. The only thing they did was take a breathalyzer, no rape kit, then sent her back to her room.

Later after regaining her senses she told them she would press charges. Again they did not do a rape kit, they just asked the person who gave her the drink and helped her back to her room. At that time he told them, "it was consensual".

All of the people that were there said there was no way it was consensual because she was too out of it. She again said she wanted to press charges. The Security Officer told her to go back to her room everything was going to be alright.

Later that day she was called into the security office, her supervisor was there. They showed her the video of her basicly being carried to her room by the person who assaulted her. At that time they terminated her, for being drunk while on duty. They gave her 15 minutes to get her stuff and get off the ship. She was in shock. As her supervisor walked her back to her room to get her stuff, he was told about the sexual assault, he said he did not know that. Either he was lying, or the security officer never told anybody.

They left her on the dock at Kauai. It was Veterans Day, so she had no money or access to money. My brother convinced her to go to the Emergency Room and have a rape kit done. She had to walk 15 miles dragging her suit case. When she had the rape kit done the Honolulu PD came in to take her statement, and she told them she wanted to press charges. This was the first time the assualt was reported to law enforcment. The next day detectives were supposed to go on the ship and get a copy of the video tape, and get statments.

The next day the security officer told one of her friends aboard the ship that he was a "former Honolulu PD Detective, in the Sex Crimes Unit and she should just drop it, there is nothing she can do about it." No one ever interviewed her witnesses. We heard nothing from the PD, until it was finally transfered to Kauai PD. The first time we spoke to someone was 1/18/2006. There is no copy or mention of the video tape in the report, or a copy of her medical examination. The detective was surprised to here about the video. He was also told that the person who assaulted my daughter was terminated. According to my daugher's friends still aboard the ship he is still working there, so someone is being very misleading.

I contacted the FBI several weeks ago, they are finally interviewing my daughter today. The detective is also interviewing witnesses and finding out if the assailant is still aboard the ship, were the video recording is, more about the security officer and why no one did a rape kit, or reported it to the authorities.

He also confirmed that there have been at least 5 sexual assaults reported aboard that ship in the last 4 months. Not involving the same person, but with similar circumstances, and reaction by the NCL-Pride of America.

This angers me beyond belief. She was victimized three times. The actual assault. The way the security guard handled it. The way NCL acted when they terminated her. My daughter is not the same person since she came home. She is depressed. If I ask her information about the incident to give to authorities, or suggest she goes and talks to counselor, she gets very angry.

I joined the group International Cruise Victims. I contacted my state senators and congressmen. I would like to see laws enacted, that would require Cruise Lines, regardless of were the ship is registered, that within U.S. Territorial Waters they must comply with these laws. Like having trained Law Enforcement individuals aboard the Cruise Line, that do not work for the cruise line. This way when a crime is committed someone would be there to collect evidence, take statements, and investigate the crime, thereby giving a much better chance for conviction. If the cruise line does not comply they can be suspended from operating within U.S. Territorial Waters. This would affect their financial base dramatically. You would then see significant changes from the cruise line industry at that time. They won't do it because it is the morally correct thing to do or they would have done it years ago. Only by affecting their bottom line will things change.

I was shocked to find out that in the last 5 years only 3% of all sexual assaults reported aboard cruise lines are convicted. And those were only because the assailant confessed.

People need to be held responsible.

Mad Dad

[mariliyndecker]

Dear Mad Dad: I am so sorry for all that your daughter has gone through as well as the trauma to your entire family. I am April's mother from the article on this web site. My daughter was brutally raped by an employee of Carnival cruise line when she was only 12 years old. Our story is listed on the site if you would like to read it. What is important now is that your daughter undestands that she is in no way to blame for what happened to her and she needs to fight back. I am so glad that she is pressing charges. The cruise line will do everything in their power to protect their bottom line. I would be happy to talk to you on the phone about what we endured but even still it is worth it to fight back. I also hope with all my heart that she takes civil action against the cruise line. My job is not to advertise for attorneys to take your case but I will tell you that we in fact did file suit against Carnival and without the assistance of some wonderful attorneys we would have been lost. We stumbled upon the law firm of Lipcon Margulies and Alsina PA out of Miami (where carnival is registered) and with the help of Jason Margulies we were able to settle with Carnival. This law firm only deals with crimes that happen on the high seas and are experts in their field. Hiring an attorney doesn't "fix" what happened to your daughter but it at least gives her a little bit of justice and they in turn have to own what one of their employees did to her. Our attorney's phone number is 1-800 838 2759 and his name is Jason Margulies. If you would like to speak to me personally, I would be so happy to help. My heart goes out to you and your daughter. We have to do something to make these cruise companies accountable for the actions of their employees. Please e-mail me at montereydeckers@sbcglobal.net and I will give you my phone number. If there is anything I can do to help, please just contact me.

Best regards,

Marilyn Decker

tom discussed this in the unmoderated topic forum yesterday...