STCW training provisions on bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH)
The Sub-Committee on Human Element, Training and Watchkeeping (HTW 9), 6-10 February 2023, agreed to draft amendments to the Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) Code, to prevent and respond to bullying and harassment in the maritime sector, including sexual assault and sexual harassment (SASH).
The move follows the agreement by the MSC at its 105th session to instruct the HTW Sub-Committee to develop and finalize, as a matter of priority, relevant STCW training provisions in advance of the completion of the ongoing comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code.
It was agreed that, following approval by MSC 107 and consideration by the joint ILO/IMO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element (JTWG), the draft amendments should be referred back to HTW 10 in early 2024 for final consideration, with a view to adoption at MSC 108.
The new provisions will apply to all seafarers by means of amendments to the STCW Code, table A-VI/1-4 (Specification of minimum standard of competence in personal safety and social responsibilities), consisting of a new competence: Contribute to the prevention of and response to bullying and harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment.
The related Knowledge, understanding and proficiency will include: prevention of bullying and harassment: Basic knowledge of bullying and harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment, and the continuum of harm; Basic knowledge of the consequences of bullying and harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment on victims, perpetrators, bystanders, stakeholders, and its effects on safety; Understand that power dynamics, drugs or alcohol may be used to create coercive situations that contribute to bullying, harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment; Responding to bullying and harassment:
Ability to identify bullying and harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment; Basic knowledge of the action to take to intervene, and report bullying, harassment, including sexual assault and sexual harassment Understand the basic principles of trauma-informed response and how to provide appropriate support to a victim, bystanders and self.
The draft text was developed by the Working Group on the Comprehensive Review of the 1978 STCW Convention and Code and the Sub-Committee noted the discussions and support of the Group to develop and include a standalone competence relating to psychological safety within section A-VI/1 and table A-VI/1-4 during the ongoing comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code.
The Sub-Committee endorsed the Working Group’s recommendation to add a reference to the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) provisions on bullying and harassment and to align the language when revising Model Course 1.21 (Personal Safety and Social Responsibility). The Correspondence Group on the review of the STCW Convention and Code, established during the meeting, was invited to prepare draft terms of reference for the revision of Model Course 1.21 to include the competence on prevention and response to bullying and harassment, including SASH.
The Sub-Committee also endorsed the Working Group’s agreement to give more detailed consideration concerning the evidence of maintaining the standard of competence on prevention and response to bullying and harassment, including SASH, during the process of the comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code.
Comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code
The Maritime Safety Committee, at its 105th session in 2022, agreed to conduct a comprehensive review of the STCW Convention and Code and instructed HTW 9 to commence.
Following initial discussion in plenary, and the progress made in the working group established at this session, the Sub-Committee instructed the Correspondence Group on the STCW Convention and Code Review to identify the specific areas to be reviewed and to prepare a roadmap for the review.
As requested by the MSC, the Sub-Committee agreed that discussions on measures to ensure the quality of onboard training; and on measures to facilitate mandatory seagoing service, as required by the STCW Convention, should be included in the comprehensive review of the Convention.
The Sub-Committee considered and agreed to aims and principles to guide the review.
Source: https://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/MeetingSummaries/Pages/HTW–9.aspx