Chilean Scientist Charged with Rape in Antarctica
The Cabo de Hornos Court of Guarantees in Chile has ordered Jorge Gallardo Cerda to be placed under house arrest and prohibited from approaching the victim in a case of alleged rape that occurred during a scientific expedition in Antarctica.
The alleged incident took place in February 2019, during an investigation in Chilean Antarctic territory on the Byers Peninsula, at the western end of Livingston Island. The victim was part of a team of scientists working in the South Shetland Islands.
According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Gallardo Cerda allegedly knew the victim from a previous expedition and they were sharing a tent at the base camp. He allegedly took advantage of the secluded environment to commit the assault.
After the incident, the victim remained silent but later developed severe depression, requiring treatment by a psychiatrist.