At US Antarctic base hit by harassment claims, workers are banned from buying alcohol

WELLINGTON, New Zealand — From Sunday, workers on the major United States base in Antarctica will now not be capable of stroll right into a bar and order a lager, after the federal company that oversees the analysis program determined to prevent serving alcohol.

McMurdo Station is probably not going fully dry, the National Science Foundation showed. Researchers and strengthen workforce will nonetheless be capable of purchase a weekly ration of alcohol from the station retailer. But the coverage shift may end up vital for the reason that bars had been central to social existence within the remoted surroundings.

The adjustments come as issues develop that sexual misconduct has been allowed to flourish at McMurdo. An investigation by The Associated Press closing month exposed a development of girls who mentioned their claims of harassment or attack had been minimized by their employers, ceaselessly resulting in them or others being installed additional risk.

In one of the crucial instances defined by the AP, alcohol performed a task. But the NSF instructed the AP the adjustments involving alcohol had been associated with morale and welfare on the base, and weren’t geared toward combating sexual harassment or attack.

Under the brand new laws taking impact Sunday, workers will be capable of order most effective alcohol-free beverages at McMurdo’s two major bars, Southern Exposure and Gallagher’s. They will nonetheless be capable of carry their very own alcohol to drink on the bars. A 3rd venue which additionally served alcohol, the Coffee House, will develop into fully alcohol-free however will now keep open for workers to talk over with any time of the day or evening.

The present alcohol ration lets in Antarctic workers to shop for as much as the an identical of 18 beers every week, or 3 bottles of wine, or a 750 milliliter (25 ounce) bottle of spirits.

The NSF mentioned it is also instituting a number of new measures right through the present southern hemisphere spring and upcoming summer time that are geared toward combating sexual harassment and attack on the base, the place in most cases round 70% of workers are males. These come with enhanced coaching, a brand new survey to assemble knowledge and track developments, and visits to the ice from mavens.

Karen Marrongelle, the NSF’s leader working officer, mentioned it was once dedicated to making sure a secure surroundings anywhere science or training was once performed.

“We will not rest until we are confident that every member of the Antarctic community feels safe and supported,” she mentioned in a observation.

The NSF printed a record in 2022 during which 59% of girls mentioned they’d skilled harassment or attack whilst at the ice, and 72% of girls mentioned such habits was once an issue in Antarctica. Last yr, the NSF created an administrative center to care for such proceedings, supplied a confidential sufferer’s suggest, and established a 24-hour helpline.

The AP investigation discovered a development of issues at McMurdo. One lady who reported a colleague had groped her was once made to paintings along him once more. Another lady who instructed her employer she was once sexually assaulted was once fired two months later. Another lady mentioned bosses on the base downgraded her allegations from rape to harassment.

After the AP printed its investigation, the NSF despatched a message to U.S. Antarctic Program workers.

“We know that it can be difficult to hear these accounts. It is for us,” the NSF wrote within the electronic mail, which was once acquired by the AP. “These are not experiences we want anyone to have within the USAP (or anywhere else in the world).”

The electronic mail defined the brand new anti-harassment measures the NSF deliberate to enforce and presented assets for strengthen.

Jennifer Sorensen, who instructed the AP she was once raped at McMurdo in 2015, mentioned the NSF had attempted unsuccessfully ahead of accountable alcohol for the prime charges of sexual misconduct on the base.

“They know full well that all the rationing or denial of alcohol sales being forced on us isn’t going to do a damn thing,” she mentioned.

If the NSF and lead contractor Leidos had been excited about preventing sexual misconduct, they must get started believing survivors and make sure they are not retaliated towards, she mentioned. They must additionally prevent rehiring perpetrators, she added.

“Alcohol can obviously blur the lines of consent, there’s that issue at play, but overwhelmingly, sexual assault has occurred even when neither party has been consuming alcohol, as was the case with me,” Sorensen mentioned. “So it’s definitely not going to eliminate the problem.”

Sorensen said that if the NSF wants to reduce drinking, it should provide alternative diversions, such as the bowling alley, ceramic studio and greenhouse which used to be features at McMurdo but have disappeared due to budget cutbacks.

Britt Barquist, who said she was groped at McMurdo in 2017, said in an email it was positive that the NSF was making an effort to improve the culture at the base. But she remained concerned that incidents were still being swept under the rug when it put a contracting company’s primary objectives at risk.

“For example, my incident took place during work hours, at a job site, no alcohol involved, and was corroborated and reported through official channels,” Barquist wrote. “I was later told by my company’s HR that I would have to work with the perpetrator again because his job was mission-critical and there was no one else to fill his role. None of these new policies implemented by the NSF would prevent that from happening again.”

The NSF and Leidos have declined to answer questions about Barquist’s case, or others highlighted in the AP’s report.

Under another new initiative to improve morale, the NSF said it will be expanding internet access through the satellite network Starlink, allowing workers to stay better connected to people back home. Starlink is run by SpaceX, the company founded by Elon Musk.

The NSF first foreshadowed impending changes to its alcohol policies in a blog post early last month, and said it first told workers about the new anti-harassment measures in mid-August.

The AP sent the NSF a detailed list of questions about its investigation in early June and has continued to correspond since, including asking for any planned changes to address sexual harassment and assault. The NSF never listed any planned changes to alcohol policies.

“Because these changes are related to morale and welfare and not sexual assault/harassment prevention, we did not mention this program initiative in our previous response,” the NSF mentioned in a observation.