Safe Harbour

What is the point of Safe Harbour you ask?

Shaun and I have launched Safe Harbour: a community united against violence towards women, a flotilla of yachts that will peacefully pass from Athol Bay under the Harbour bridge, around Goat island and back on November 21st from 10am. We were compelled to do this, because we witnessed violence towards a female colleague of only 19 years old, attempted intimidation, sexual harrassment and intentional bullying at one of our own marinas.

As a former midwife, with post graduate studies in international public health focusing on womens health, this appalls me. I admit I may have been naive, as a woman with some privilege that I did not see how the more vulnerable women around me were experiencing these same yachts. No woman should be hit in the face, struck in the face whilst trying to clean a boat. No woman should have to question whether she will be believed by her manager, when she tries to report her assault. We need to collectively do better.

I know that I am supported by my male colleagues in this industry from the strong professional connections I have with my clients, captains, other yacht managers and brokers to divers and marina attendants. I know they respect me and my female colleagues and want us to feel safe and supported. Safe Harbour is an opportunity for everyone to get out on the water for a day to show the women in our lives that we support them and that together we stand against violence towards all women in our community, at our marinas and beyond.

Alice Lloyd