North Pacific Observer Safety and Security Survey

North Pacific Observer Safety and
Security Survey
Hello, I'm Jackie Smith, the Alaska Enforcement Division's observer liaison agent. I created
this anonymous survey because I believe that observers are experiencing a lot more victim
type incidents than what is actually reported.
It is important to continue to assess the actual number of incidents observers are
experiencing in the field, as well as the barriers that may prevent observers from reporting.
This information is used to establish changes that can improve observer work environments
and reduce the risk of victim type crimes.
This survey is completely anonymous. My information will be provided if you would like to
speak with me or report an incident. Individual data will not be released to the public.
Aggregate data will be analyzed by myself and made public in reports, but the data source
will be kept in confidence.
Public reporting burden for this collection of information is estimated to average 10 minutes,
including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data sources, gathering and
maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the collection of information.
Send comments regarding this burden estimate or any other suggestions for reducing this
burden to Jackie Smith, NOAA Fisheries Office for Law Enforcement, 222 W. 7th Ave. Box 10,
Anchorage, AK 99513; or via email at [email protected].
Notwithstanding any other provisions of the law, no person is required to respond to, nor
shall any person be subjected to a penalty for failure to comply with, a collection of
information subject to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act, unless that
collection of information displays a currently valid OMB Control Number.
* Indicates required question

Skip to question 1Skip to question 1

Demographics
Data is needed to determine if there is any correlation based on demographics. All questions
require a response.

1.

What is your gender? *
Mark only one oval.
Female
Male
Transgender, non-binary, or another gender
Prefer not to answer

2.

What age range do you fall in? *
Mark only one oval.
24 and under
25 to 29
30 to 34
35 to 39
40 to 44
45 and over
Prefer not to answer

3.

Who is your contractor? *
Mark only one oval.
AIS
AOI
Saltwater
Prefer not to answer

4.

What year did you begin observing? (YYYY format) *

5.

Did you deploy as an observer in the North Pacific Observer Program in 2024? *
Mark only one oval.
Yes
No

Skip to question 6
Skip to section 4 (Thank you for your time. )

2024 Deployments
This section is specific to deployments in 2024. Respond for only 2024 deployments.
There will be 20 questions asking about behaviors that potentially affect your safety and
security on your assigned vessel or shoreside processor, as well as questions about the
security of your data. Some questions sound similar, and it is to gauge the escalation of
behavior. You may select multiple options. It is followed by questions assessing impediments
to disclosure.

6.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone, by their actions toward you,
ever make you fear physical injury?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

7.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone threaten to physically injure
you?

*

Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

8.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever intentionally physically
injure you?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

9.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever physically prevent you
from performing your duties?

*

Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

10.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever use a threat to prevent
you from performing your duties?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

11.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever make you change your
data, or attempt to make you change your data?

*

Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

12.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever offer you something in
exchange to change your data?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

13.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever make offensive
*
comments regarding your age, sex, sexual orientation, religion, or race/ethnicity?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

14.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever make unwelcome or
unwanted comments of a sexual nature towards you?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

15.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever attempt to touch you in an *
unwelcome or unwanted sexual manner?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

16.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever touch you in an
unwelcome or unwanted sexual manner?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

17.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever force you to participate in
any sexual activity against your will, or without your expressed consent?

*

Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

18.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever interfere with or bias
your sampling procedure, including physical, mechanical, or other sorting or
discarding of catch before sampling?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

19.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever tamper with, destroy, or
*
discard your samples, equipment, records, photographic film, papers, or personal
items?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

20.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone’s refusal to provide
reasonable assistance impact your data or ability to collect your data?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

21.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone’s behavior or actions toward
you cause you to change your own behavior or work schedule?

*

Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

22.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever require or pressure you to *
perform any duties normally performed by crew members?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

23.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did any vessel ever fail to have a proper
look-out by sight and sound as well as by all available means appropriate for the
prevailing conditions to assess for at-sea dangers such as collision? (commonly
known as "wheel watch' or "lookout")

*

Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

24.

At any time while on contract in 2024, did anyone ever use drugs or alcohol
while operating the vessel, equipment or machinery?
Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

*

25.

At any time while on contract in 2024, were there conditions onboard the
vessel/at the processor that made you fear for your general safety?

*

Check all that apply.

No. I did not experience this issue.
Yes, and I wrote a statement during my debriefing.
Yes, and I reported it directly to vessel/plant personnel.
Yes, and I reported it directly to my provider.
Yes, and I reported directly to an Observer Program staff member.
Yes, and I reported it directly to OLE.
Yes, and I reported it directly to a victim advocate service.
Yes. I did not report my experience.
Other:

26.

IMPEDIMENTS TO DISCLOSURE: If you experienced one of the issues above
but did not report it, please indicate why. You may choose multiple options.
Check all that apply.

I did not experiences any of the above issues.
I did report my experience.
I didn't want someone getting me back for reporting.
I didn't think it was that big a deal.
I didn't want everyone to know what happened to me.
I thought it was too late to report.
I couldn't remember all the details.
I felt some guilt about what happened.
I don't trust NMFS.
I don't trust my provider.
I don't trust OLE.
I don't think anything would be done about it anyway.
I was afraid I'd lose my job.
I didn't want to get anyone in trouble.
I don't want to go to court.
None of the above.
Other (Please provide details in the next section).

*

27.

IMPEDIMENTS TO DISCLOSURE: If not listed above, why did you decide not to
disclose an incident?

Skip to section 5 (Thank you for your time.)

Thank you for your time.
We are only collecting responses for those who deployed in 2024.
If you wish to speak to Jackie with NMFS Enforcement regarding an experience that occurred
outside of 2024, you can contact her via email at [email protected] or call her at 907271-1869.
OMB Control Number: 0648-0759      Expiration Date: 0X/XX/20XX

Thank you for your time.
Hi, I am Jackie with the Alaska Division's Office for Law Enforcement. Thank you for taking
the time to take this survey. I want to do what I can to make your work environment safe and
free from harassment.
If you want to speak with me on the survey, or anything that you may have experienced in the
field, even if you never reported it, please feel free to contact me directly via email:
[email protected], or via my office number at 907-271-1869.
If you need someone to talk to about your experience, you can call RAINN Hotline's at (800)
656-4673. You can remain anonymous when you call.
OMB Control Number: 0648-0759      Expiration Date: 09/30/20XX

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