South African team is trapped at remote Sanae IV base by encroaching ice and weather as southern hemisphere winter sets in

Summary

A South African scientist at the remote Sanae IV Antarctic base has been accused of sexual assault and violent threats, prompting urgent pleas for help.

The 10-person team is stranded for months due to extreme winter conditions. Officials were warned of the escalating situation as early as December but failed to act.

South Africa’s environment department has launched an investigation and is offering counseling.

The incident raises concerns over psychological screening for Antarctic missions, echoing past violent incidents in South Africa’s research programs.

  • cool@lemmings.worldEnglish
    12·
    15 hours ago

    But our culture has made us forget that we are strong and capable, has raised us to never develop the muscles to be able to stop someone, to never tear an assailant’s skin off with our teeth, etc.

    I really don’t think we should be perpetuating the idea that women can rely on their strength to fight off an offender.

    It has the knock-on effect of emboldening women to put themselves into situations they otherwise would not because “they know how to fight” or what have you. Then they find out just how powerful testosterone is and bad things happen.

    I’m serious. As a man who gets next to no exercise, I still feel strong as hell. I still feel like I could demolish any chick who isn’t hitting up the gym 5 days a week. I wouldn’t, but it’s scary to think about. The natural advantage that testosterone gives, coupled with males being brought up to think they need to be tough, paints a very poor picture for the “girl power” crew that wants to pretend women can reliably combat men.

    Really, the best thing we can be doing is teaching people how to avoid dangerous situation altogether. It’d be nice if we could create a culture of recognizing womanizing scumbags when we see them.