Two people have been criminally charged by Broward County, Florida, officials for the alleged rape of a 15 year old passenger on a recent Royal Caribbean cruise. Sadly, this yet another example of the dangerous risks faced by vacationers. In May, 2011, my office filed suit against Royal Caribbean on behalf of another teenager who said she was given large amounts of alcohol and then raped by one of the ship's entertainers. Unfortunately, the dreams of a relaxing tropical vacation end in a nightmare for many passengers.
To learn more about our cruise ship sexual assault and rape practice area, click here.
Teen, man charged after girl, 15, reports rape aboard cruise ship By Danielle A. Alvarez and Brittany Wallman A teenager said she was raped by two passengers while aboard a Port Everglades-based cruise ship, lured from a teen dance club to a private room in the wee hours of the morning.A teenage boy and a young man were arrested at Port Everglades on Tuesday. Both live in Brazil, but are being held in Broward County.The teen and her family, who live in Iowa, set sail from Fort Lauderdale on Christmas for a 10-day cruise aboard Royal Caribbean’s Allure of the Seas. The ship called at ports in St. Thomas, St. Maarten, St. Kitts and Haiti.The teen told authorities that on the last night aboard she had gone to a teen club called Fuel, and at about 1:45 a.m. was invited to a party by a 15-year-old boy. She said she thought she would be meeting friends in his private room, but said that when she got inside, another man was present, and the two would not allow her to leave.The 15-year-old said she told them she had a curfew and tried to leave, but said both males raped her. She reported it immediately to ship officials, according to arrest documents.The adult suspect, 20-year-old Luiz Scavone, stood before Broward County Judge John “Jay” Hurley at a first-appearance court hearing Wednesday, accused of one count of committing a lewd and lascivious act. Hurley placed Scavone’s bond at $10,000 and ordered him to relinquish his Brazilian passport.He was held Wednesday at the Broward County Main Jail.The second defendant was charged with lewd and lascivious battery and taken to Broward’s Juvenile Assessment Center, according to the probable-cause affidavit.Cynthia Martinez, the manager of Global Corporate Communications for Royal Caribbean, said the ship reported the incident immediately to the FBI and Broward Sheriff’s Office, and allowed them aboard at the port to investigate.“Royal Caribbean’s guest care team offered the female guest a variety of assistance, including medical care and counseling,” Martinez said in a written statement. She said Royal Caribbean would “continue to support law enforcement agencies during their investigation.”Arlene Satchell contributed to this report.
Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/2012/01/04/v-print/2573948/teen-man-charged-after-girl-15.html#storylink=cpy
