My name is Amy Copland, and I am a survivor of sexual assault by a security officer on board the Oceania Riviera.

When I left my home country to work on a cruise ship for six months, I had no idea cruise lines are legally protected after just one year - meaning any incident on board can’t be pursued after that time.

I reported the assault the next day. From then on, I was treated as though I was the problem. There was no cabin change, therapy, or investigation. Instead, my attacker was left free to stalk me around the ship until I finally left.

After Covid, I returned to ships still carrying the trauma. I reported the assault again, hoping for a better outcome. Instead, I was blamed, silenced, and forced to relive that night in December 2019 over and over.  

I was told the man had been fired, but I was given no proof. To this day, I don’t know if he still works for Norwegian or another cruise line. I was often told to quit my job - but why should I lose my career because of someone else’s crime?

When I struggled with PTSD, I was dismissed with just 14 hours’ notice with no explanation. 

Now, years later, I’m stronger and ready to act. I’ve learned that crew members have only one year to file a complaint or lawsuit.

That explains why I was silenced - the company was waiting out the clock.

This must change. Every crew member deserves to know their rights, and the one-year deadline must be abolished. There is no time limit on healing from trauma, and there should not be a time limit on seeking justice.

I carry lifelong scars from what happened, but my aim is clear: to fight for change so no one else is silenced the way I was.

We can do better. We must do better.

This is me hours before I stepped foot on my first ever ship contract.