February 17 – Phoenix, Arizona - On February 3, 2006, a group of families of victims and victims of cruise ships officially formed the nonprofit International Cruise Victims (ICV) organization. The primary objectives of ICV are to provide support to victims of crimes that occur on cruise ships, and to act as an advocate for legislative reform to protect passengers from crimes and increase the rights of victims of crimes that do occur on cruise ships.

Cruise ship passengers (and cruise employees) that have had crimes committed against them often feel alone and frustrated by the jurisdictional uncertainties and poor treatment by cruise companies. The goal of ICV is to provide assistance to these victims in any manner possible. By pooling experiences from members of the group, ICV can serve as an invaluable resource to passengers that have been victimized on cruise ships.

The cruise industry is increasing in size in a dramatic manner yet cruise companies are largely unregulated and unaccountable for protecting passengers from crime and for assisting passengers after crimes have been committed. The united efforts of the families of victims and victims in support of legislation can more effectively counter the cruise industry’s extensive and self-promoting lobbying efforts. By gathering and circulating more accurate information on cruise crimes, ICV can assist Congress with successfully regulating the cruise industry and educate and inform the cruise traveling public on issues related to safety, crime prevention, and rights of victims.

Membership in the ICV is not limited to victims of cruise crimes and their families, ‘Friends of ICV’ welcomes as members any individuals worldwide that believe in its objectives and would like to offer their assistance.