Laurie Dishman
Date: February 19, 2006
Bruise: Sexual Assault
Bruise Location: At Sea Off Mexico
Age: 35
Home Town: California
Cruise Line: Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines
Ship: Vision Of The Seas
Attorney: James Walker
Details:
Laurie went on a seven day Mexican Riveria cruise. While on the cruise she alleges she was sexually assaulted in her cabin by a member of security while onboard the Vision Of The Seas.
"We were approached by security guards who asked if we were old enough to be in the lounge, if we were over 18," Dishman recalled. "I said I'm over 18, I'm 35."
She did not have her identification.
"I said, If you don't believe me, I'm in room 2655. You can look it up, I'm 35," she said.
She said one guard was aggressive.
"He grabbed my wrist and told me he wanted to come to my room," she said. "I said no. I pushed him away, and he tried to kiss me."
Dishman then went back to her room and went to sleep. She then got a phone call. She said the person on the other line asked her if she was alone in her room.
"I said, 'Who is this?' And they hung up the phone," Dishman recalled.
She reported the assault to the crew, who took bed linens and gave her medical treatment.
Upon leaving the cruise she reported the incident to the FBI in Long Beach, California, where the vessel is based.
On February 26, 2006 the FBI notifed Laurie that they would not be investigating her case, having had the case only a few days, and not really investigated it all.
Royal Caribbean took a statement from Dishman and had the ship's doctor do an exam. The cruise line flew her from Cabo San Lucas to Los Angeles, where two FBI agents met her plane.
"I got back to Los Angeles and they interviewed me," Dishman said. "Only a week later they called and said there was nothing else they could do for me. The FBI indicated it was a he said/she said case, indicating the crew member said it was consensual. They said it was a 'He said, she said.'"
However, that does not explain what she says are "ligature marks around my neck", where he put a strangle hold on her neck, as she tried to fight him off during the sexual assault. She said she passed out as a result, and when she woke up, he was gone.
She says the cruise line has not been helpful. They have refused to provide here with medical records while onboard, the crew member's name, address, nationality, or current location of the crew member. She has also been able to get the medical history of the crew member that may relate to the crew member having HIV/AIDS.
She is trying to get the FBI to re-open the investigation.
It appears that Dishman's case will not go to trial, but she did file a civil lawsuit against Royal Caribbean. She also said she has been told the cruise line fired the security guard in question.
Laurie Dishman
Cruise Ship Sexual Assault
RCCL - Vision Of The Seas - February 19, 2006
