New UK national training programme to support seafarers affected by sexual violence
A national training programme designed to better support seafarers affected by sexual violence is set to be rolled out across the UK after receiving funding from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) and The TK Foundation.
MNWB, with support of The TK Foundation, has awarded a grant to Safer Waves, a charity founded in 2019 to provide support to seafarers who have experienced sexual abuse, sexual harassment and gender discrimination through its anonymous email service, to kick-start the training.
The grant will support the design and delivery of specialist responder training that will initially be delivered across MNWB’s network of 15 Port Welfare Committees across the UK and a National Seafarers’ Welfare Board in Gibraltar. The CPD-accredited course will equip attendees with the knowledge, confidence and practical tools to respond appropriately if a seafarer discloses sexual harassment or sexual assault.
The programme follows the publication of Safer Waves' 2025 report, Sexual Offences at Sea: Experiences of Victimisation, Witnessing and Reporting, which highlighted the scale of the issue within the maritime sector. The report found that:
80% of self-selected respondents reported experiencing or witnessing sexual violence at sea
Only 35% had spoken to anyone about it, including fellow crew members or friends
Even fewer had made a formal complaint or felt their complaint was dealt with in a satisfactory manner
The findings reinforced the need for better support for seafarers who choose to disclose abuse and for training that helps responders handle those conversations appropriately.
Stuart Rivers, CEO of MNWB which represents 47 welfare charities supporting the UK's Merchant Navy and fishing fleets including Safer Waves, said:
"No one should ever experience sexual violence at work.
"The findings from Safer Waves' research are deeply concerning and remind us that there is still more work to do to ensure every seafarer feels safe, respected and supported.
"Ship visitors and welfare workers are often trusted people who seafarers turn to when they need help. This training will ensure they have the confidence and practical skills to respond appropriately and compassionately when someone chooses to disclose their experiences.
"We believe this funding will make a real difference by strengthening support across the UK's ports and helping create a safer maritime sector for everyone."
Through the programme, ship visitors, welfare staff and volunteers will receive training covering trauma-informed responses, safeguarding, supporting disclosures and signposting seafarers to specialist services.
The aim is to ensure that those first conversations are handled safely and sensitively, while improving access to further support where needed.
Jessica Brannan, CEO of Safer Waves, said:
"We know from our research that sexual violence at sea remains a significant issue, yet many seafarers still feel unable to speak about their experiences or seek help. When someone does decide to come forward, the response they receive can have a profound impact on their wellbeing and recovery.
"This funding from MNWB and The TK Foundation will allow us to deliver specialist training to welfare responders across the UK, helping them feel confident in how they respond and ensuring seafarers are met with understanding, dignity and informed support.
"Together, we are building a stronger support network for seafarers and helping to ensure that no one has to face these experiences alone."
The initiative supports wider efforts across the maritime sector to improve seafarer welfare, strengthen safeguarding practices and promote safer working environments at sea.
It brings together organisations across maritime and wider society to acknowledge the professionalism, skill, and contribution of those at sea, and to take practical steps that make a real difference.
The TK Foundation, a private foundation supporting non-profit maritime and youth programmes, is supporting MNWB and Safer Waves in the development of specialist training for staff and volunteers working with seafarers affected by sexual violence and harassment at sea.
Dennis Treleaven, Senior Maritime Program Officer at The TK Foundation, said:
"The TK Foundation supports this project which seeks to ensure that these important issue of sexual violence and harassment of seafarers, is handled safely and sensitively, while offering access to further support where needed."
The programme is expected to train between 200 and 300 welfare responders who attend the PWC meetings, which brings together representatives from government, welfare charities, port authorities, trade unions and the shipping industry to identify welfare needs and develop local solutions for seafarers.
Safer Waves is currently recruiting trainers to deliver the programme.
Anyone interested can find out more HERE
If you are a seafarer in need of support, contact support@saferwaves.org
The announcement comes just weeks after Safer Waves signed the newly launched Seafarer Pledge, a commitment to recognise and respect the people who keep global trade moving but are too often overlooked. The Pledge is jointly funded by MNWB, the Merchant Navy Association and Trinity House.