Addressing Abuse and Harassment in the Space Sector
Second Webinar – 8 April 2022
What survivors of abuse and harassment in the space sector need to feel safe again.
About this event
2021 shone a light on an issue everyone knows is happening in the space sector, but has been ignored for almost decades: Abuse and harassment in the space industry.
In the last year, several people came forward to report about the issues in big space companies and administrations as well as sharing their private stories and experiences while working in an industry that started as a boy’s club and often still feels like one to female-identifying and female-read people.
Several survivors spoke out publicly about their experience with abuse and harassment in the space sector, most of them anonymously out of fear of retribution. But some went public. Two of these brave women are Ashley Kosak and Sophie Sanchez.
Sophie Sanchez is a space journalist from Chicago. For years, she has struggled with verbal and physical abuse at the NASA Press sites, notorious for issues with harassment. She spoke out about it in a big article on the issue in Florida Today, written by Emre Kelly and published at the end of last year. (Link to article)
Ashley Kosak is a former SpaceX employee. In an Op-Ed published on the website Lioness, Ashley criticized SpaceX as “environmentally irresponsible company so rife with sexism, the only remedy is for women to leave.” Her Op-Ed has inspired many other publishers to shine a highlight on these issues. (Link to Op-Ed)
Both women felt that the respective organisations and companies did not respond responsibly and thoroughly to their claims – an issue witnessed many times over, may it be with internal investigations, safety for survivors, or published statements. But let’s give these companies and organisations the benefit of the doubt – What if they simply didn’t know better?
In this event, Ashley and Sophie will talk with our Co-Director Judith Delany about their experiences, how they feel they have been failed by the existing systems, and what companies and organisations need to do to not only prevent abuse and harassment, but to make survivors feel safe again – so that no one ever again can claim that they simply didn’t know better.
Trigger Warning
This event will address sexual abuse, bullying, racism, sexism and harassment at the workplace. Please be mindful of your own mental health and traumas before joining the event.
The safety and wellbeing of our speakers have the highest priority
For this reason and due to the sensitive topic of this event, housekeeping rules will be taken very seriously. Abusive behaviour or commenting will not be tolerated. Audience questions to the speakers will be monitored via a Q&A box and only asked by the host.
Previous Webinar – 2 February 2022
The next edition of this webinar is now planned for early April 2022 – Stay Tuned! In the meantime you can read the report and watch the replay of the first edition of this webinar series, that was held in February 2022 here.
2021 shone a light on an issue everyone knows is happening in the space sector, but has been ignored for almost decades: Abuse and harassment in the space industry.
In the last year, several people came forward to report about the issues in big space companies and administrations as well as sharing their private stories and experiences while working in an industry that started at a boys club and often still feels like one to female read people.
In June of last year, Caleigh MacPherson, Heather Morehouse and Victoria Varone decided to no longer ignore the issues, and to adress the elephant in the room, by actively working on making the space industry a safer space. They started “Astro Advocates & Allies“, a support system for survivors of abuse and harassment in the space sector
In this event, the founders will talk with our Co-Director Judith Delany about how and why they started “Astro Advocates & Allies”, where you can find help and support if you are experiencing either, and what they are doing change the status quo.
Trigger Warning: This event will adress sexual abuse, bullying, sexism and harassment at the workplace.
Due to the sensitive topic of this event, houskeeping rules will be taken very seriously. Abusive behaviour or commenting will not be tolerated.
Powering Space 