Cruise Ship Rape Lawsuit in 2026: Your Right to Recover Losses
Cruises can be a fun and exciting new adventure for families and friends. However, no matter how safe and harmless many people seem, there are still a few who would commit a violation or assault against others. If you or a family member had been a victim of rape aboard a cruise ship, you have the right to file a cruise ship rape lawsuit 2026 and get compensation for all your loss and damages.
Common reasons for not reporting sexual violence crimes
It has been estimated that for every 1000 sexual assaults, only 344 are reported to the police. Some of the reasons for this include:
- Retaliation.
- The belief that it was not important enough to make a report.
- A belief that it was a personal matter.
- The belief that law enforcement would not do anything.
Recent statistics show an increase in rape cases
Per data from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), there was a 40% rise in the number of rape in cruise ships from 2010 to 2014. That is a large jump in just four years! The numbers are shocking.
According to the FBI, out of the 18 cruise ship rape lawsuit filed against cruise lines in 2014, about 12 were reportedly against minors under 16. Female cruise ship passengers made up 85 percent of victims, with males making up 15 percent.
Notably, The Washington Post reported that allegations of sexual assault have increased by over 65% incidents in the nine (9) months of 2019 compared to the first nine (9) months of 2018. Sexual assaults occurred on almost all cruise lines, including Carnival Cruise Lines, Disney Cruise Lines, and Norwegian Cruise Line.
Cruise ship rape facts
173 reports, yet no one prosecuted:
One major cruise line documented 173 reports of a rape cruise ship in five years. However, not a single alleged perpetrator was reportedly prosecuted in any of these cases.
The cruise industry is not honest about safety:
Cruise ship rape data released in August 2013 by four of the largest cruise ship operators in the industry, with over 80% of the United States domestic cruise ship market share. However, the report only indicated that the industry isn’t truthful with the cruising public regarding the safety statistics.
Cruise lines fail to report a crime:
Before the issue of transparency in reporting crimes to the public was raised, Senator John D. Rockefeller in 2013 claimed that cruise lines reported 29 cruise ship rape lawsuit to the FBI in 2012. However, only 11 were reported to the public. Additionally, in the first six months of 2013 alone, 14 rape cases and 11 sexual assault cases were reported.
Rape is among the top crimes at sea:
According to the FBI, rape is one of the leading crimes reported and investigated by the Bureau on the high seas.
Victims don’t always report rape:
Sexual assault is one of the least reported violent crimes. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, more than 60% of onshore rape victims decline to file cruise ship rape lawsuit. It just shows that most of the cruise passengers who experience rape on a cruise don’t report the crime. As a result, such crimes never become part of industry cruise safety statistics.
Passengers can’t confirm the rate of crime at sea:
The cruise industry maintains that rape cases at sea are significantly lower than the onshore rate of sexual assault. However, it is virtually impossible for passengers or independent third parties to confirm whether each incident of rape has been fully and properly recorded.
Steps to take after rape on a cruise ship
If you or a loved one became a rape victim while aboard a cruise ship, here are the first steps you should take:
- Report the crime immediately to the security officer on board the ship. If the crime involves a security officer, report it to their immediate supervisor or manager.
- Go to the ship’s infirmary to report the incident and to obtain treatment for all your physical injuries. Although it may seem against your instincts, it’s better not to shower or wash your clothes/bedding until you have had a forensic examination from qualified medical personnel. Washing your clothes could destroy valuable evidence. It will also help you get a fair cruise ship rape settlement.
- Collect all the names of the involved crew members (that is, the perpetrators).
- Gather names and contact information from passengers with any information, including anyone who heard or saw any of the events leading up to, during, or after the incident.
- Call the FBI to report a lawsuit against cruise ship rape. Demand that the cruise line allows you to call the FBI and speak with an agent. The cruise lines are obligated to allow you to speak to the FBI, and you have the right to speak to them.
- Once you arrive at your port in the U.S., you need to go immediately to the nearest rape treatment center. Every hospital in the U.S. has hospitals that have rules and protocols for treating and testing patients for rape.
- Get proper medical care as soon as possible for your physical injuries. This may include a gynecologist, plastic surgeon, orthopedic surgeon, internist, or family doctor.
- Take photos of any physical injuries or bruises. These documents can be incredibly powerful evidence in your case.
- Seek psychological counseling.
- Reach out to licensed and experienced cruise ship rape lawyers to uphold your rights and protect your interests.
Damages recovered after cruise ship rape
Cruise ship rape or sexual assault claims are entirely different than the average personal injury case. These crimes lead to physiological and psychological trauma that cannot be represented with a dollar amount.
Your life or the life of your loved one has been forever changed because of the incident. In a cruise ship rape claim involving rape crimes, you can get compensation for various damages, including:
Statute of limitation and other barriers for sexual assault victims
The statute of limitations for cruise ship injuries, cruise ship rape, and other crimes that occur at sea can be as short as 180 days, i.e., six months to file a cruise ship rape lawsuit against the cruise line.
Furthermore, there are requirements for where and how to file a claim against cruise lines for rape and sexual assault. It is important to begin the claims process immediately and gather all the evidence and witness testimonies.
Why choose Ethen Ostroff Law?
If you have been a victim of cruise ship sexual assault or rape anywhere in the world, it is important to remember that what happened to you was not your fault. It was the fault of two parties only: the person who committed the crime and the cruise line whose negligence allowed that crime to happen.
Ethen Ostroff Law has years of experience representing victims of rape, sexual assault, and sexual battery on cruise ships. We will help you get access to the top cruise ship rape attorney in Philadelphia to win your cruise ship rape lawsuit case.
Nevertheless, we understand the shameful tactics cruise line attorneys use, which may involve saying the rape never happened. What are you waiting for? Contact Ethen Ostroff Law now at 610-510-8883 ( by calling this number, you consent to receive SMS updates from Ethen Ostroff Law) or Submit Form to get free consultation.
