Sexual Harassment in Antarctica: Growing Scrutiny at Remote Research Stations

Antarctica — Long viewed as a frontier of science and exploration, Antarctica is now under international scrutiny for a darker reality: widespread reports of sexual harassment and assault at its remote research stations.

“Antarctica should represent the highest standards of professionalism and safety. Contractors and researchers deserve more than survival conditions — they deserve dignity and respect,” - POC

A recent survey of U.S. Antarctic Program staff revealed that nearly two-thirds had witnessed harassment or assault, with nearly 40% experiencing it directly. Investigations are also ongoing at South Africa’s SANAE IV station, where a team member was accused of harassment, physical assault, and issuing death threats earlier this year.

The extreme isolation, confined living quarters, and lack of immediate oversight have combined to create environments where misconduct can thrive unchecked. Critics argue that institutional responses — from the U.S. National Science Foundation to other national operators — have been slow, leaving victims without adequate protection.

As reforms slowly take shape, questions remain about whether meaningful cultural change can occur in one of the most isolated — and vulnerable — workplaces on Earth.