Assault allegations park concern at isolated Antarctic Research Station. Photo credit: Yahoo
(The Post News)- A group of scientists was due to work together for months at a remote Antarctic research station. The group was rocked after a member of the team was accused of physical assault. The group of nine was expected to spend the Antarctic winter at the South African-run base, sitting about 170 km from the edge of the ice shelf, which is difficult to reach.
A spokesperson from the South African government says there was an assault at the station prior to earlier allegations of inappropriate behavior from inside the camp. The environment ministry claims to have responded to the concerns with “utmost urgency.”
According to the Sunday Times, a member of the team had pleaded to be rescued. The ministry said the team members underwent thorough evaluations, including background checks, medical assessments, and psychometric tests, all with cleared results. In a statement, the ministry further elaborated that it was not uncommon for people to have an initial adjustment when they arrived at extremely remote areas even if assessments showed no areas of concern.
The ministry reports that the vessel left for Antarctica on the 1st of February and everything was in order. However, the incident was initially reported on the 27th of February to the ministry. The statement further adds that the department had immediately activated the response plan in order to mediate and restore relations at the base.
The department has been actively engaging with the base daily to restore relationships and balance support with discipline. Moreover, the department said that the allegations of sexual harassment are also investigated, but the reports of sexual assault were false.
Psychologists indicated that isolation can have an effect on human behavior.
Craig Jackson, professor of workplace health psychology at Birmingham City University and a chartered member of the British Psychological Society, says that one thing they know from these rare occurrences, when something bad happens in enforced isolation or capsule working, is that it’s often the small things, tiny things, that can blow up into conflict.
Sources within the Antarctic research community have reported that South Africa has access to an ice-capable ship and aircraft if needed. But any rescue operation would have to contend with the harsh climate, with temperatures well below freezing and the possibility of strong winds.
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