The National Science Foundation (NSF) Office of Polar Programs (OPP) has entered into an agreement with the Department of the Interior’s Federal Consulting Group (FCG) and their contracted team of experts to assist the NSF in the creation of a U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Sexual Assault/Harassment Prevention and Response (SAHPR) program.  The USAP SAHPR program will apply to all persons and entities deployed as part of the USAP, regardless of affiliation.  Over the coming year, the NSF and FCG will perform a needs assessment of the USAP community, create a customized series of trainings (including bystander intervention training) for all USAP participants, and provide the NSF with a detailed SAHPR program implementation plan.  

In addition, NSF established a secure online portal for awardee institutions to submit harassment notifications and a separate portal for individuals to file harassment complaints. These policies and requirements were subsequently adopted by OPP. To learn more about NSF’s effort to combat harassment, visit the Stop Harassment page on the NSF website.  

NSF’s Office of Polar Programs has taken additional steps in the form of the Polar Code of Conduct and the USAP Executive Management Board’s Affirmation of Non-Harassment Policy, both of which are publicly available online.  In addition, OPP increased communication on harassment issues and reporting mechanisms through briefings, training, and postings at stations and on vessels.  

This agreement with the FCG is the latest in OPP’s efforts to combat harassment and provide a safe community for all USAP participants.