The NSF Office of Polar Programs (OPP) is inviting members of the USAP community to an upcoming Sexual Assault Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) virtual Listening Session. Additional virtual Listening Sessions will be taking place in January and February 2023 as well.
For background, in April 2021, NSF enlisted subject-matter experts to examine sexual harassment and sexual assault in the USAP Community and recommend corrective actions. Their findings and recommendations are detailed in the recently released SAHPR Needs Assessment Report and Implementation Plan (Report), which can be found on the NSF website. The Report presents both serious concerns and a clear path for improvement.
As OPP launches these virtual sessions, more of the USAP community is invited to join this conversation. This is an opportunity for you to talk and for NSF to listen. Any current and past USAP community member, particularly those that have deployed in the last 5 years, may bring comments, questions, and concerns directly to NSF. This December 2022 session will be capped at 60 participants and will be first come first serve. Future virtual sessions in January and February 2023 will provide specific spaces for survivors of sexual violence and harassment on the ice, for those located at South Pole, Palmer, and vessel communities, among others. OPP is still developing the schedule and will share it once dates are confirmed.