Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/15th to 22nd September 2018

Sexual violence is a global pandemic. One in three women experiences sexual or physical violence – most likely from their intimate partner, according to a report from the World Health Organization. There is an urgent need to increase sensitization regarding sexual violence and the awareness of consent and sexual violence amongst persons at large. In this series, we examine sexual violence and related issues that have come up in the news, on a weekly basis, published every Saturday. This is an attempt to improve awareness regarding incidents of sexual violence and related matters, so that we, as a society can take steps towards collective action to reduce its incidence. It is an effort to ensure that we acknowledge the rampant sexual violence that exists, lest we forget.

This issue looks at news from 15th to 22nd September 2018.

1)Here is why I didn’t report, Trump

The US President Donald Trump questioned Christine Blasey Ford for making sexual assault allegations against Supreme Court Nominee, Brett Kavanaugh.

On Thursday, Trump tweeted: “I have no doubt that if the attack on Dr. Ford was as bad as she says charges would have been immediately filed with local law enforcement by either her or loving parents.” This tweet faced major backlash as thousands of Twitter users using the Hashtag #WhyIDidntReport said “I was afraid”, “Nobody would believe me”, and “I was ashamed” were one of the reasons why they didn’t go to the authorities.

2) New laws to protect sexually assaulted children

On Thursday the Indian Ministry of Home Affairs launched the sex offender’s registry with the names and details of about 4.4 lakh people convicted for various sexual offences across the country. The database carries the details of convicts from 2005 onwards. Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh says that this is a part of an effort in increasing the security of women and children.

3)Lilly Allen joins #MeToo, shares her own experience

English singer, Lilly Allen joined the league of celebrities using the public platform to share their experiences of sexual assault. She spoke about how she was drunk and found herself in a room next to a stranger violating her while she was unconscious, she fled the scene immediately.

As she shared her own horrid story, she discussed that as it wasn’t penetrative rape, she didn’t consider it a crime and did not report it.

4) South Sudan does not prevent rape?

According to U.N investigators, South Sudan’s government fails to address an epidemic of sexual violence and rape. According to surveys, very few sexual assault cases are ever investigated.

Also, the government soldiers have raped women as the spoils of wars. Many of the rape victims got pregnant and abandoned the newborn baby due to the stigma attached to it.

5) Relieve for the sexual assault survivors in Burma

The UK Foreign Secretary, Jeremy, visited Burma for a 2-day-visit on 19th September. He then announced additional UK support for victims of sexual violence in Burma.

Hunt says, “We have already provided counselling and psychological support to more than 10,000 women and deployed mid-wives to help provide care to over 53,000 women.”

This article was first published on Safecity, as a part of the blogging team by Sabah Batul