NCL Sued For Negligence In Sexual Assault On Girl

NCL Sued For Negligence In Sexual Assault On Girl

Civil Suit Alleges 'Norway' Shipboard Youth Director Assaulted 12-Year-Old On Cruise

      A mother and daughter from Washington State filed suit in Dade County circuit court against Norwegian Cruise Lines (NCL), alleging that the 12-year-old girl was sexually assaulted aboard the cruise ship Norway by a youth activities coordinator with a suspicious background and an arrest record.
     The charges filed in the civil suit include negligence on the part of NCL in hiring the accused assailant, Daniel J. Hanoian, failure to adequately train and supervise him, and failure to provide adequate shipboard security.
     According to a report in the Miami Herald, Hanoian, age 30, had an arrest record prior to being hired by NCL. Among other things, he had been arrested for indecent exposure, remaining on school grounds without proper registration, public intoxication, possession of marijuana, petty theft and possession of alcohol as a minor, according to the report.
     The lawsuit alleges that NCL hired Hanoian and gave him the position of Youth Activities Coordinator, in which he was responsible for supervising boys and girls on a daily basis, even though his arrest record is available on public record, according to the report.
     "It's pretty shocking that a cruise line like Norwegian Cruise Line would have this type of person as a youth activities director," family representative David McDonald told the Herald. "He's put in a position of trust, where parents are leaving their children with him."
     According to the report, the lawsuit alleges that, during a cruise in September 2000, Hanoian suggested that he and the girl "hang out together" while he was in charge of the Norway's Kids Program.
     According to the report, on Sept. 29 at about 10:30 p.m., Hanoian allegedly told the 12-year-old that he was going to change his clothes in his cabin and that she should come with him.
     The girl went with him to the crew quarters, but remained outside when he went into his cabin, according to the report. He then allegedly said that she should come inside so that she wouldn't "get into trouble" for being in that part of the ship.
     When she entered the room, Hanoian allegedly shoved her up against the wall and sexually assaulted her, according to the report.
     The girl was able to break free, escape Hanoian's cabin and find her mother, according to the report.
     Hanoian was arrested and eventually charged with sexual assault of a minor aboard a cruise ship. He pleaded guilty to the charge in March and is scheduled to be sentenced in July, according to the report.

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