The Ship Operations Cooperative Program (SOCP) has released a new desk reference guide aimed at helping maritime personnel respond to sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH) incidents aboard vessels and within maritime operations.
Released May 14, the SASH Desk Reference Guide was developed under a cooperative agreement with the Maritime Administration (Marad) as part of the Every Mariner Builds A Respectful Culture (EMBARC) program. According to SOCP, the guide is intended to support the maritime industry’s zero-tolerance approach to sexual assault and sexual harassment.
The guide was developed in partnership with NOVA and is designed for SASH contacts and key responders, including vessel leadership, supervisors, and crewmembers who may be the first to receive a report or disclosure of sexual assault or harassment.
According to SOCP, the reference guide includes step-by-step response checklists, trauma-informed communication practices, and guidance on reporting and documentation procedures. The organization said the resource is intended to help responders provide “consistent, respectful, and effective responses” following an incident disclosure.
Key components of the guide include immediate-action checklists, reporting flow charts, documentation tools, prevention and culture-building resources for shipboard safety meetings and onboarding, and self-care tools for personnel responding to incidents.
SOCP said the guide is intended to complement its existing 40-hour SASH Contact Training Course and serve as a quick-reference resource for use aboard vessels, at maritime academies, and in company operations.
The SASH Desk Reference Guide is available as a free download through the SOCP website.
SOCP is a nonprofit organization made up of maritime industry stakeholders focused on improving vessel safety, efficiency, security, and environmental performance across U.S. vessel operations.
