In May 2024, the U.S. National Science Foundation launched the U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) Sexual Assault and Harassment Climate Survey (SAHCS) to gather data to support the NSF Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response (NSF SAHPR) program office's efforts for USAP.
The goal of USAP SAHCS was to generate solution-oriented data that will inform future sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking prevention strategies and response protocols, and help NSF to ensure a safe and respectful environment throughout the USAP.
NSF is pleased to announce the publication of the Report Based on Findings from the Sexual Assault and Harassment Climate Survey (SAHCS), summarizing findings from the survey.
- View the NSF Official Memorandum Announcing Publication of Report Based on Findings from the Sexual Assault and Harassment Climate Survey (SAHCS).
- View the full Report Based on Findings from the Sexual Assault and Harassment Climate Survey (SAHCS).
- View the Fact Sheet Highlighting Key Survey Findings.
- View the OPP Response to SACHS Webinar Questions.
NSF is committed to fostering a culture free from sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking in all its programs and initiatives, including throughout USAP. The insights from this survey report will guide ongoing efforts to strengthen prevention and support systems and to promote a climate of trust, safety and respect for everyone in the USAP community.
The voluntary survey was open from May through July 2024 and was sent to USAP community members deployed between 2022 and 2024. The survey was confidential, and no personally identifiable information was shared with NSF. USAP SAHCS aimed to gather baseline data on sexual assault and harassment and bystander experience, as well as workplace satisfaction and cultural norms data within the community.
NSF contracted with Leading and Dynamic Services and Solutions and subcontractor Soteria Solutions to conduct the USAP SAHCS. Soteria Solutions has extensive experience partnering with federal agencies to design and implement comprehensive climate assessment surveys to help provide actionable insight for culture change.
If you have general questions regarding the USAP SAHCS, email USAPclimateSurvey@nsf.gov or find answers to frequently asked questions below.
This study was authorized by law (42 U.S.C. 1862 Section 3.a.6.). The OMB control number for this study is 3145-0260.
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Frequently asked questions
The USAP SAHCS aimed to gather baseline data on sexual assault, sexual harassment, bystander experiences, workplace satisfaction and cultural norms within the USAP community to inform prevention and response efforts.
Data gathered from the survey will be used to inform sexual assault and sexual harassment response and prevention program development, recommendations and future actions to help ensure a safe and respectful environment for all USAP participants. Information regarding the survey results is available in the Report Based on Findings from the USAP SAHCS.
Yes, the survey was anonymous. No personally identifiable information was collected in the survey.
No, disclosure of a specific incident within the survey would not automatically generate a formal investigation. However, a sexual assault can be reported directly to the NSF Office of Inspector General (NSF OIG) Hotline.
U.S. Antarctic Program (USAP) participants (past or present) can reach out to the USAP victim advocate, who can provide confidential information about safety planning, reporting, possible accommodations and other support resources for members of the USAP community who experience sexual assault and/or sexual harassment.
Email: USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com
Phone: (720) 568-1083
USAP extension: x42709
Learn more about the NSF Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response Program (NSF SAHPR) visit https://new.nsf.gov/stopping-harassment/sahpr. For questions about what options are available to report sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking, as well as access to support resources, email NSF SAHPR at saferscience@nsf.gov.
Individuals also have the option of anonymously disclosing an incident to the USAP Victim Advocate (USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com) for support services or reporting the incident to the NSF Office of Inspector General.
The survey was estimated to take 25-30 minutes to complete. Participants had the option to skip questions they did not feel were relevant to them or their experiences.
The survey was open for 60 days, from May 28 to July 27, 2024.
No, participation was voluntary. Participants could skip any question or stop at any time.
No, survey participants did not have to answer any questions they did not want to answer. Participants could select "prefer not to answer" and could stop participating at any time.
NSF contracted with Leading and Dynamic Services and Solutions (LDSS) to conduct the survey. LDSS, in turn, subcontracted with Soteria Solutions, subject matter experts in sexual assault and harassment prevention and response.
Send general questions about the survey to USAPclimateSurvey@nsf.gov.
The survey was authorized by law (42 U.S.C. 1862 Section 3.a.6.), with Office of Management and Budget control number 3145-0260.
Survey questions covered topics such as experiences with sexual assault, sexual harassment, bystander actions, workplace satisfaction and cultural norms.
Data gleaned from the survey will help identify problem behaviors and strengths within USAP, thereby supporting efforts to create a safer, more respectful workplace.
To report a sexual assault, sexual harassment or stalking incident, you have the option of reporting it directly to the OIG Hotline.
If you are a USAP participant (past or present), you can reach out to the USAP victim advocate, who provides confidential information about safety planning, reporting options, possible accommodations and other support resources for members of the USAP community who've experienced sexual assault and/or sexual harassment.
Email: USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com
Phone: (720) 568-1083
USAP extension: x42709
Further information about the NSF Sexual Assault and Harassment Prevention and Response (NSF SAHPR) program visit https://new.nsf.gov/stopping-harassment/sahpr. For questions about what options are available to report sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking, as well as access to support resources, email NSF SAHPR at saferscience@nsf.gov.
Individuals also have the option of anonymously disclosing an incident to NSF SAHPR through the USAP victim advocate at USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com (this will not trigger an investigation) or to the OIG Hotline (this may trigger an investigation).
If you are a USAP participant (past or present) needing immediate assistance, the following additional SAHPR support resources are available:
- The USAP victim advocate can provide confidential information about safety planning, reporting options, possible accommodations and other support resources for members of the USAP community who've experienced sexual assault and/or sexual harassment.
Email: USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com
Phone: (720) 568-1083
USAP extension: x42709
The NSF Safer Science Helpline (formerly the NSF Antarctic Helpline) is available 24/7 for immediate crisis intervention or emotional support related to sexual violence.
NSF Safer Science Helpline:
Phone: (833) 673-1733
Text: (202) 932-7569
Website and online chat: https://NSFSaferScienceHelpline.orgThese services are anonymous, secure and available to USAP community members on and off the ice.
- To learn more about NSF SAHPR, visit https://new.nsf.gov/stopping-harassment/sahpr. For support with understanding your reporting options for sexual assault, sexual harassment and stalking and access to support resources, email NSF SAHPR at saferscience@nsf.gov.
Individuals also have the option of anonymously disclosing to NSF SAHPR through the USAP victim advocate (USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com) (will not trigger an investigation) or reporting to OIG at https://oig.nsf.gov/hotline (may trigger an investigation).
The SAHCS questions were developed by LDSS to gather the most accurate data possible to inform USAP strategies for preventing and addressing sexual harassment and assault. We recognize that sharing information about experiences of sexual assault and sexual harassment is particularly sensitive and challenging. The emotional impact of recounting these events can be significant, and the process may feel overwhelming or isolating and we respect the courage it takes to share these experiences. NSF is committed to fostering an environment free from sexual assault and harassment and the information provided from survey participants will help NSF make improvements in workplace safety to improve future conditions on the ice. If you or someone you know needs help, they can reach out to the USAP victim advocate. The victim advocate provides confidential information about safety planning, reporting options, possible accommodations and other support resources for members of the USAP community who experience sexual assault and/or sexual harassment.
Email: USAPadvocate@LDSScorp.com
Phone: (720) 568-1083
USAP extension: x42709
For 24/7 immediate crisis intervention or emotional support related to sexual violence you can also call the NSF Safer Science Helpline (formerly the NSF Antarctic Helpline):
NSF Safer Science Helpline
Phone: (833) 673-1733
Text: (202) 932-7569
Website and online chat: https://NSFSaferScienceHelpline.org
These services are anonymous, secure and available to USAP community members on and off the ice. You can learn more about the helpline here, https://NSFSaferScienceHelpline.org.
Yes, the survey will be conducted periodically.
NSF is committed to fostering and maintaining a culture free from sexual violence wherever NSF-funded activities are conducted, including in Antarctica. Regardless of any potential changes, NSF is dedicated to keeping the USAP community safe.
NSF contracted LDSS to conduct the survey. To fulfill the objectives of the survey, LDSS subcontracted with Soteria Solutions, subject matter experts in sexual assault and harassment prevention and response.
The Soteria Solutions team has extensive experience working with the U.S. military; federal, state and non-governmental agencies; communities and institutions of higher education to help them develop measures of sexual harassment and sexual assault and to use climate survey findings to inform the creation of sexual assault and harassment policies, response and prevention strategies.
All USAP deployers between the 2022 and 2024 seasons received an email invitation to participate in the survey.
Information regarding the survey results is available in the Report Based on Findings From the USAP SAHCS. For questions, email USAPclimateSurvey@nsf.gov.
Information regarding the survey results is available in the Report Based on Findings From the USAP SAHCS. For questions, email USAPclimateSurvey@nsf.gov.
Information regarding the results is available in the Report Based on Findings From the USAP SAHCS. All media inquiries should be sent to media@nsf.gov.
The NSF SAHPR supports healthy, safe, respectful environments free from sexual violence. The program is responsible for:
- Establishing NSF policies and training programs to support prevention efforts and provide a survivor-centered and trauma-informed response to sexual assault and sexual harassment.
- Cultivating an organizational climate of mutual trust, safety and respect that encourages survivors to report incidents without fear of retaliation.
- Ensuring all NSF community members understand their roles and responsibilities to prevent and report sexual violence.
- Continuous monitoring and evaluation to track the effectiveness of NSF SAHPR-related policies and procedures.
Note: NSF SAHPR does not provide legal advice or conduct investigations.