Sexual Assaults on Cruises Reach New High in 2023

Experts warn actual numbers likely higher due to underreporting; MSC Cruises faces lawsuits over alleged incidents.

The number of reported sexual assaults on cruises hit a new high in 2023, with 131 incidents compared to 87 in 2022 and 101 in 2019.
Experts warn that the actual number of incidents is likely much higher, as nationally, two out of three sexual assaults go unreported.
The 2010 Cruise Vessel Security and Safety Act does not protect non-U.S. citizens, and there's a narrow definition of rape that cruise line management companies use to 'significantly' underreport incidents to the FBI.
MSC Cruises was sued for two alleged sex crimes on separate ships earlier this month. One lawsuit alleged a crew member raped a passenger, and the other accused the cruise line of failing to protect an underage girl from being molested in a bathroom.
Sex crimes far outpace other reported crimes on cruises, which included 22 assaults with 'serious bodily harm,' two suspicious deaths and 20 thefts of $10,000 or more in 2023.