McMurdo Station, located in Antarctica, has become a hotbed of sexual harassment and assault against women due to its isolated environment and macho culture. A report published by the National Science Foundation (NSF) in 2022 revealed that 59% of women working in Antarctica experienced harassment or assault, with 72% perceiving it as a prevalent issue. However, The Associated Press (AP) investigation discovered that employers often downplayed these claims, putting victims and others at further risk. Some women were even forced to work alongside their assailants or were fired after reporting incidents.
In one case, a woman reported being groped by a colleague but was compelled to continue working with him. Another woman who disclosed a sexual assault was later terminated, and another victim had her rape allegations diminished to harassment. The complaints persisted even after the NSF report, as a woman at McMurdo reported an assault where a colleague pinned her down and restricted her ability to breathe. Although the accused was fired and sent back to the US, his trial is ongoing.
Following the NSF report, a Congressional investigation was initiated. However, the prime contractor, Leidos, contradicted itself in its written response to Congress, claiming to have received “zero allegations” of sexual assault in Antarctica during the past five years. Leidos promised to enhance safety measures, such as installing peepholes on dorm room doors and limiting access to master keys. However, these proposed solutions were met with disbelief by some members of Congress, who argued that preventative measures should have been implemented before sending workers to Antarctica.
Due to the remote nature of Antarctica, women found themselves largely fending for themselves in this hostile environment. Mechanic Liz Monahon, for example, armed herself with a hammer to protect against the man who threatened her life. However, Monahon believes that her colleagues were her true saviors, rather than the management. She met a plumber and amateur boxer named Zak Buckingham before her deployment, who happened to ward off other male colleagues bothering her. However, Monahon was unaware of Buckingham’s history of criminal offenses and inappropriate behavior towards his former partner.
The US Antarctic Program, funded and overseen by the NSF, relies on various contractors and subcontractors to operate. Leidos, the main contractor, claims to conduct background checks on its employees and has a zero-tolerance policy towards sexual harassment and assault. The NSF has implemented improvements, including the establishment of an office for handling complaints, the provision of a confidential victim’s advocate, and a 24-hour helpline.
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