South African team is trapped at remote Sanae IV base by encroaching ice and weather as southern hemisphere winter sets in

Summary

A South African scientist at the remote Sanae IV Antarctic base has been accused of sexual assault and violent threats, prompting urgent pleas for help.

The 10-person team is stranded for months due to extreme winter conditions. Officials were warned of the escalating situation as early as December but failed to act.

South Africa’s environment department has launched an investigation and is offering counseling.

The incident raises concerns over psychological screening for Antarctic missions, echoing past violent incidents in South Africa’s research programs.

  • SirEDCaLot@lemmy.todayEnglish
    1·
    1 month ago

    Absolutely 100%. I think basic self-defense should be a required course in middle school or high school, especially for women. And I would encourage any woman or any person for that matter to take charge of their personal defense, in whatever way is most comfortable for them. Carry a gun, carry a taser, carry pepper spray, take martial arts classes like Krav, etc.

    • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
      2·
      1 month ago

      Schools should be teaching boys to respect women and not believe they have a ‘right’ to women’s bodies.

      If we hit the source of the problem it can be fixed … and the source is not women, it’s boys/men.

      • ilovepiracy@lemmy.dbzer0.comEnglish
        11·
        1 month ago

        While this argument makes sense on paper, it completely nullifies the point. Both should be taught for the following reasons:

        1. You can educate people all you want, but that will not stop the people who simply never gave a flying fuck.
        2. Okay, now you’re back to square one, there are evil men out there that don’t give a fuck about anyone and WILL abuse you given the opportunity. Thank god they received a talk about how you shouldn’t hurt women when they were in 6th grade.
        3. You are now still in a situation where you have to respond to violence, but since self-defence wasn’t taught to you, you have to be a helpless victim of said violence.

        “It is better to be a warrior in a garden than a gardener in a war.”

        • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          2·
          1 month ago

          Problem is everybody focuses on teaching girls/women and lets the boys/men off with nothing.

          Yes, both should be taught … so start pushing for the boys/men now.

      • shalafi@lemmy.worldEnglish
        22·
        1 month ago

        Good to know I’m the problem. How’s that strategy working out for you? Driving up toxic masculinity numbers this month?

        • HellsBelle@sh.itjust.worksEnglish
          1·
          1 month ago

          Yes, take it personally and miss the whole point.

          Ofc it’s not all men, but there are a lot of men that cause the problem. So instead of whining about it, do something.

          • cool@lemmings.worldEnglish
            1·
            1 month ago

            I’m doing something by telling everyone to stop putting their faith in shitty men.

            It’s like thieves. You can’t trust a thief and then act all surprised when he steals from you.

            Not all people are thieves just like not all men are rapists, but putting your faith in the ones who are obviously scumbags is opening yourself up to be taken advantage of them.

            I wish I didn’t have to say this, but I see way too many women willingly getting taken advantage of by shitty people then getting mad at anyone who calls it out.

            At some point, we need to be able to protect ourselves from the predators.