Sex Assault On Flights: Port of Seattle Starts Awareness Campaign

SEATTLE, WA – Allison Dvaladze was on a Delta flight in April 2016 when she was the victim of a sexual assault. Once she was home in Seattle and safe, Dvaladze started researching the issue of in-flight sex assaults.

And came up disappointed.

She reached out to one of her senators, Patty Murray (D-WA) to see what could be done. Get all the latest information on what's happening in your community by signing up for Patch's newsletters and breaking news alerts.

"When someone seeks help for sexual assault or harassment, they deserve immediate attention no matter where they are, even if it occurs at 35,000 feet," said Murray. "Because of brave people like Allison who’ve stepped forward to share their experience, it’s on the rest of us to meaningfully address this issue.

"That’s what motivated me to take action in Congress, and it’s why I’m so encouraged to see so many partners stepping up to tackle this issue head-on."

Murray has since introduced the Stopping Assault while Flying Enforcement Act, which would require flight staff to get additional training as well as establish a National In-Flight Sexual Assault Task Force that would be made up of representatives of several federal agencies to address the problem.

While that legislation works its way through Congress, Murray and Dvaladze joined Port of Seattle Commission Courtney Gregoire, Alaska Airlines Vice President of People Andy Schneider, FBI Special Agent Johannes Van Den Hoogen, and others to announce new steps being taken at Sea-Tac to raise awareness and help the survivors of sexual assault.

The Port says that they are taking several steps to address the problem including an awareness campaign reminding people of the federal penalties and letting people know how to get help if they have been harassed or attacked.

The campaign will also bring attention to the port's efforts to fight human trafficking.

"Our police department works around the clock to make Sea-Tac Airport a safe and welcoming place,” Port of Seattle Commission President Gregoire said.

"We urge anyone who feels they were treated inappropriately, or sexually assaulted or harassed, to report it immediately and request that Port law enforcement be present at the gate when they land."

They hope that by providing the support for survivors and making it easier for them to get help, the result will be more successful prosecutions.

The FBI says that there were 63 sexual assaults on airplanes reported to them last year, a 66 percent increase from 2014.

The bureau's Seattle office has reviewed about one dozen reports this year.

Dvaladze, whose attack sent her on a path to help prompt others to act, says that she is thankful for those efforts.

"I want to acknowledge all survivors of sexual assault who brave the stigma and share their stories so that we may challenge the status quo," she says, adding that while progress has been made, there's a lot more work to be done.

"I appeal to the airline industry and lawmakers to hear us, to respect us, and to appreciate the urgent need for action, for protocols, for trauma-informed training, and for reporting."

From L to R: FBI Supervisory Special Agent Johannes Van Den Hoogen; Alaska Airlines VP of People Andy Schneider; Association of Flight Attendants-CWA Local 19 President Terry Taylor; Port of Seattle Commission President Courtney Gregoire; U.S. Senator Patty Murray; Allison Dvaladze; Port of Seattle Deputy Police Chief Michael Villa. (Photo via Port of Seattle).