FAMILY TERROR

By Charles Akhimien 

Rape is defined as one person forcing another, without this person's consent and using violence or threatening violence, to have intercourse or other forms of sexual activity. The same definition is applicable if the person is violated while in a vulnerable state such as sleep, unconsciousness, intoxication, physical or mental disability. Any present or previous relationship between the parties is irrelevant.

Rape is an act of violence against women that occurs in all cultures and amongst all races. A growing trend in cases of rape is that most of them are now being perpetuated in the home, by family members. This for most women is their home where they are supposed to feel most safe. For many, ‘home’ is where they face a regime of terror and violence at the hands of somebody close to them, somebody they should be able to trust. These victimized women suffer physically and psychologically, even more so that other victims of rape, because more than the act itself it was a breach of trust. They are unable to protect themselves and their human rights are denied and their lives are stolen from them by the ever-present threat of violence.

Here is the story of Laura Hardesty, a 26 year old.

At the age of 15, I was sexually abused by a family member. I was raped, losing my virginity to my Uncle. At the time he was 35 years old and married.

It was July, and I was on summer vacation. I went to visit my Moms side of the family in Alaska. I flew into Anchorage, Alaska on the 4th of July. I had never been to Alaska before, and had never met most of my family members that lived in Alaska. I had been invited to visit by my Grandfather. I was going to stay with him and meet all my Aunts, Uncles, cousins, and even Great- Grandma. I was so excited!

After that I wish I could go into more specific detail, but I have very scattered memories of the month I was there, actually, there more flashbacks than memories.

I hadn’t had alcohol much before, but it seemed so cool that my Uncle was giving me dinks. I remember having champagne at his house while he showed me around. His wife was at work, and he took me to meet her on the way to their house. But he refused to introduce me as his niece. He told his wife I was his cousin, he told other people I was his wife or girlfriend. He had a nice house and fancy things, drove a new car. Looking back, things should have started to seem strange. He told me details about the “open relationship” he and his wife had, but it was all kind of over my head and I was happy to go with the flow so everyone would like me. He also told me how much I looked like my Dad, and how much fun he’d had spending time with my family in the past. He even told me stories about babysitting my older sister and brother before I was born. I thought I was safe, he was family, my Moms brother, he was older, and married. He just seemed like the “cool” Uncle. At 15 years old I had no idea that those things weren’t enough to keep me safe. I didn’t know I should be worried, and no one else did either.

We were all going on a family fishing trip. When my Uncle asked me to ride with him it seemed great! Cool car, cool guy and a road trip! We both drank beer during the car trip. It never occurred to me that he was drinking and driving. In the car we talked a lot, I’m pretty shy, but the beer put a big dent in that. He kept pushing me to drink more, handing me drink after drink. I tried saying no, but he’d tease me, making me feel stupid and keep giving me drinks anyway. He asked me all about school and friends; he seemed really interested in everything I had to say. I wasn’t used to this and it made me feel special. He went on and on about how pretty I was. No one had ever paid attention to me like that before; it felt good to be noticed. At one point my Uncle asked me if I was a virgin. But by now, I had figured out that he was going to think it was stupid if I said yes, so I lied. This is one of the biggest regrets I’ve ever had. I’ve struggled for years thinking that this point alone could have changed things. If I had just told the truth and said I was a virgin maybe none of it would have happened. I’ve been told many times that it wouldn’t have changed things, but I still struggle with feeling like that lie made it my fault. The lie that changed my life forever.

After that things really get fuzzy. I was in numerous bars, and he had stepped things up to hard liquor. I’ll never forget his drink, rum and coke. He started pushing drinks with double shots in them and that was it. I vaguely remember an elevator ride. The next thing I remember was waking up in a motel room. I was naked and there was blood all over the white sheets and I had no idea why. I was so confused and sick; I went straight to the bathroom and vomited. After that I began looking for my clothes. I couldn’t find my underwear. Somewhere along the way my Uncle woke up. I asked him what happened, and he told me that I had invited him into my bed. He asked me if I was sore, I didn’t understand why. I got sick again. Then he gave me back my underwear. I asked what the blood on the sheets was from and he said he didn’t know, he even asked me if I had started my period. I was stunned. When I started to put things together I felt nothing, not mad, not sad, nothing. I never cried. I asked him if he used a condom. He said he hadn’t, I was instantly worried I was pregnant. I told him I had been a virgin, explaining I hadn’t started my period, he had taken my virginity. He reasoned with me that he would never have done it if he’d known that I was a virgin. After that I took a shower so hot my skin turned bright red. I felt so dirty, no amount of soap and hot water seemed to be enough. I also noticed a cut on my head. But after that I was just vacant inside.

(Laura is a survivor and a member of the Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network (RAINN) Speakers Bureau).

Tales such as these are becoming increasing commonplace all over the world, as violence against women perpetuated by family members is on the rise.

These acts of violence against women represent the most egregious infringement on human rights in the 21^st century. In a world of so much sophistication and technological advancement, violence against women is an anachronism. To eradicate such acts we have to take them just as serious as racism is taken. My mother always used to say “women are like flowers”. Indeed women are flowers that need to be handled and treated delicately. Thus protecting a woman is the decent thing to do; the only thing to do!

WHO : Sexual Violence Reaches Epidemic Levels

The World Health Organization (WHO) said that physical and sexual violence against women has reached epidemic levels, affecting more than a third of women globally. A new study results released by the WHO shows that violence against women is widespread and pervasive, penetrating different regions and all income levels in the community.The study found that one in three women in the world will experience physical or sexual violence in her life by someone he knew, could be a husband, boyfriend, family member or friend. The report said that women of all ages, young or old, prone to violence. WHO said that violence against women is a global health problem with an epidemic levels.

In an analysis of international homicide statistics, the study finds that a husband or partner in charge of close to 38 per cent of murders of women in the world. Women who experienced physical or sexual violence were twice as high risk for experiencing depression or problems with alcohol use than those who have never experienced violence. They are also twice as likely to have an abortion. Risk of getting sexually transmitted infections and HIV up one or one and a half times as much. They are also more at risk of having babies underweight.

This study is the first systematic study on global data experienced by the prevalence of violence against women close partner or non-partner. WHO, in collaboration with the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the Medical Research Council of South Africa, collected data from 81 countries in 2010. The study found that the most affected areas are the Southeast Asia, the eastern Mediterranean and Africa, with the percentage of violence against women by an intimate partner around 37 percent. To violence by a combination of close partner and non-partner sexual violence, the data show Africa has the worst record at 45.6 percent, followed by Southeast Asia, with 40.2 percent. But the report dispel the notion that violence is a problem of developing countries, with 32.7 percent indicated that physical and sexual violence against women occurs in high-income countries.

By Bella Nabilla 

SOURCE : http://www.voaindonesia.com/content/who-kekerasan-terhadap-perempuan-epidemi-global/1686309.html

The Saboteur

In today’s society, there is a great struggle for equality between the sexes. Feminists face challenges from every angle; at home, within their circles of friends, with their partners and in the media. But there is one unexpected threat - opposition or setback from within their own gender.

It is a large misconception that men and men alone perpetuate gender bias, sexism and promote rape culture (rape culture: A concept which links rape and sexual violence to the culture of a society, and in which prevalent attitudes and practices normalize, excuse, tolerate, or even condone rape).  It is becoming apparent that women are playing a part in it as well.

As women, we grow up in a society which dictates what we are to wear, how to act, and how to think. From this conditioning, many of us are quick to judge others of the same sex if they do not conform to the “rules” that our largely misogynistic society has set in place. Many of us are guilty of contributing to a sexist, misogynistic and prejudiced way of thinking. Ask yourself if you have ever done any of the following:

·         Judged a woman/girl on appearance alone

·         Called a woman/girl a “slut”

·         Made an assumption about a woman’s sex life or sexual orientation based on her clothing

If you answered “yes” to any of the above, don’t feel bad. Many women have learned this behavior from friends and family, even their own mothers. I admit I am guilty of it myself, and it has taken much effort to realize the damage I cause to the fight for gender equality when I think or speak this way. When we allow ourselves to follow these imaginary rules and fall into the stereotypes, we are telling society, this is okay. Women should be treated as objects, assessed and criticized. We confirm the notion that a woman is a “certain way” and deserves a particular type of treatment due to her appearance, which inevitably contributes to society’s toleration and normalization of rape. We help rape culture continue to grow.

What can you do?

Think

It seems simple. Think before you speak. Think about the thoughts that enter your mind before they even get there – are they judgmental? Stop them in their tracks. We don’t have the right to make assumptions about anyone without knowing them. Remember that part of feminism is the freedom for women to choose who they want to be, what they want to wear and how they want to act without fear of persecution.

Speak Up!

Don’t be afraid to spread the word. If you witness this kind of stereotyping and prejudice, say something!

Get Active!

Contribute to Delta Women. Start your own blog. Tweet something, make pamphlets, educate – anything!

If we all do our part, no matter how difficult it may be, we will be successful. Only when we present a united front will we achieve true gender equality.

By Jennifer Andrews

Overcoming the trauma of Social Violence

Occupying most of the news violence is something that affects all of us, unlike social class, economic, race, color, sexual orientation, age and religion. The originality of violence is demonstrated many times in the Holy Scriptures, which is a direct result of the rebellion of Adam and Eve, and reflecting on their sons Cain and Abel. A terrible story between two brothers where Cain kills Abel, for base reasons, led to jealousy and envy, knowing that his offer was not accepted by God, it carries the first murder in history, giving the originality of violence and the proliferation of rights violations against life. Towards criminal homicide expresses the destruction of the life of a human being caused by voluntary act (action or inaction) of another man or human being. Are therefore basic to the constitution of the murder, as a crime: a) the pre-existence of a human life, b) the voluntary act of the agent or efficient cause of death ravages, whether resulting from action or inaction, c) intention determined the agent to produce the destruction, this is Necandi animus (spirit to cause death). Traditionally, the rate of crimes against life, in particular murder, is considered a "thermometer" of the degree of violence found in a given society, can be seen as perhaps the most serious of extensive social problems existing in the same society.
By this definition we can see how much was the heart and mind of Cain when planning the murder of his brother. Describes the book of Genesis chap.4 vers. 3-8 ...

"What happened at the end of days that Cain brought of the fruit of the ground an offering unto the LORD. And Abel, he also brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat thereof And the LORD had respect unto Abel and to his offering. But unto Cain and to his offering he had not respect. And was wroth Cain strongly, and drooped his countenance. And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? And why has your countenance fallen? If thou doest well, is not that right be accepted? And if thou doest not well, sin lieth at the door, and unto thee shall be his desire, but thou shalt rule over him. And Cain talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. "

The murder was intentional, ie, there will of Cain killing Abel, murder qualifies, there will homicidal agent, manifested in the decision to kill or undetermined intent to kill.
Murder in death is always expected and desired by the agent, for employing efficient means or susceptible to get the desired result. Clearly distinguished from manslaughter, because this was not the intention, either directly or indirectly and was caused by the fact that it should be anticipated and avoided. The act of Cain reveals the nature of humanity, now ruined by sin, commits violence on violence, giving up the diversity of typifications of offenses listed in our Brazilian Penal Code and demonstrated by the Holy Scriptures. The evident evil of Lamech who killed two men, described in the book of Genesis, ch. 4 vers. 23

  "And Lamech said unto his wives: Adah and Zillah hear my voice, You wives of Lamech listen to my words, for I have slain a man for wounding me, a young and for me to tread."

And Lamech was the first to reject the principle of monogamous marriage, ordained by God, Lamech was the grandson of Cain, the son of Enoch. The hereditary depravity was spreading steadily in the home and family. In Criminal Law Brazilian homicide in topographical terms, is the chapter on crimes against the life of the Criminal Code, being the first offense by it signified is murder (Article 121, § 1 and § 2 of the CP). Undeniably, the murder is the most shocking violation of the moral sense of civilized mankind average, according to Nelson teaches Hungary. As remember it, citing the definition of Carmignani, characterized by violent hominis Caedes ab injuste patrata, ocisão violent a man unjustly committed by another man (remember that some homicides are "fair" from a legal standpoint, for example, is due to self defense).
Moreover, the Constitution, the law places the protection of the right to life as one of the foundations of the rule of law. Thus the government has the primary duty to protect this right.
Homicide is something that is around the human being, as if from the formation of the world was, how much more, despite the increase of greed, always wanting more of each individual, want to demonstrate the ability of strength and power , seeing no limits and no barriers but going ahead of everything and everyone. Not even children are safe from this act of cruelty, as practiced in cold blood, not fearing the law of God, the more fear the law of man? Are really unexplained such events, desires and aspirations of society taking care of your mind and soul, that to fight for the validation of the death penalty, that is also looking to be a murderer, therefore remains to say that society generally carries a craving for blood destruction.

The root of violence:

Nuclear explosions in Hiroshima and Nagasaki and the destruction of the Twin Towers are still significant examples of violence. However, violence is not limited to war and terrorism. Rather, violence pervades all nature of human relationships and manifests itself in all forms of abuse, often not so obvious. John was a very kind and polite. His conversation was pleasant and his presence commanded respect. Attended church regularly and helped in their activities. I remember that he cared deeply about the decorum and reverence in worship. However, one day I came to know that John beat his wife who was pregnant. Something deep in the heart of John made him violently abusing his wife. The Bible recognizes the existence and condemns violent behavior in all areas of human activity, for example, the policy (Ez 45:9), marriage (Malachi 2:16), religion (Ezekiel 34:4, Zephaniah 3:4, Matthew 11:12), and environment (Habakkuk 2:8). Since most people will experience or cause some or various forms of violence during their lifetime, we must ask ourselves: How can we get rid of the destructive force of violence? To answer this question, we need to familiarize ourselves with its nature.

What is Violence?

Violence is the use of physical force or verbal, that harms or destroys something or someone to satisfy a personal desire. Ignoring the regular mode of proceeding, and the canons of reason and justice, violence seeks to win the will of the people, in order to master them, use them, make them suffer, or destroy them. In short, violence destroys the human being, spiritually andphysically. Use violence to dominate and manipulate other humans in order to satisfy our desires. Violence occurs when we seek to satisfy our lusts (kill or possess what belongs to someone else) or when we can not control our good wishes (eating, sleeping, procreating). When cravings, become habits, generate abusive behaviors that lead to damage not only our enemies but our friends, loved ones and even ourselves. The violence is closely linked to enmity, because the perpetrator is an enemy who oppresses and abuses. Nobody likes to have enemies or be subjected to violence. Like King David, everyone screams "save me from the hands of my enemies" (Psalm 31:15). This raises the question: How can we free ourselves from the violence of our enemies? And more importantly, how can we not be sources of violence and hostility? To answer these questions, we need to familiarize ourselves with the manifestations of violence.

Manifestations of Violence

The violence against the human being creates his fellows includes activities such as war, murder, torture, rape, pedophilia, abuse of the weak (children, women and elderly), theft, lies, fights, gossip and the like. These activities can occur at different levels of intensity, eg, mental abuse, physical abuse casual, torture and murder. Because the destructive nature of violence is evident, the company is controlled by all means necessary, including legal systems, security, military, prisons, education and counseling. Despite these efforts and their costs millionaires decrease the destructive effects of violence; they do not eliminate it, because they do not reach the deep roots that originate.

Where is the Violence?

Violence occurs through actions and words that come from the heart, the spiritual center of our conscious thoughts (Psalm 10:6, 11). With them, we can bless or curse (James 3:10). When the heart is proud, turns away from God, and it's bad, it becomes a source of violence (Psalm 119:122, Proverbs 10:11, Genesis 08:21, Proverbs 24:2). Because the violence stems from the wickedness of the heart (Romans 3:10-23), we can generate all violent acts and words even unintentionally. It is important to note that while the evil heart is permanent, the acts and words erupts sporadically. The heart is bad when we believe that we should remove all obstacles to fulfill our desires and aspirators. Desta attitude of the human heart, consciously or unconsciously, that originate from the violent acts that injure, oppress, abuse and kill millions of humans.

Beyond Violence: Love and Peace

As we saw in society, and the Bible condemns violence. However, while society attempts to prevent or punish acts of violence, the Bible considers the roots where they come from such acts: The evil heart that seeks its own interest. In summary, the roots of violence are spiritual and reside in the depths of the human heart, where both are generated thoughts, emotions, desires and wishes. When the human spirit wants to meet up at all costs, generates violence.
The Bible teaches that seek "my own interests" is the antithesis of love (1 Corinthians 13:4-6). When we love, instead of using, hurt, injure or kill, we give of ourselves to other human beings (John 3:16). Love overcomes and replaces violence with peace and service. The death of Christ on the cross is and always will be the ultimate expression of love in the universe. With these thoughts in mind an old question arises: Can we change our selfish heart in a loving heart? Both experience and the Bible teach that we can not do. However, the Bible also teaches that Christ can change our hearts.

Eradication of Violence

To eradicate violence from our actions, we must change the mobile and the central tendency of our hearts from selfishness to love. Our thoughts, emotions, desires and decisions should stop focusing on ourselves and focus on God and His Word. Furthermore, the content of our conscious thoughts, emotions, desires and decisions have to change.
This change is brought about by a supernatural act of God, but through the knowledge of Christ revealed in the Scriptures. When we contemplate the wisdom, mercy, love, promises and power of God, the heart is attracted by the beauty and holiness of God. They met Christ and will deliver our hearts, which is, our thoughts, emotions, desires and will experience the transformation of selfishness in love that cancels violence. To the extent that we let Christ through the Bible becomes the center of our spirit, love will reign in our hearts and we will no longer be generating violence. Rather, we will generate peaceful and constructive acts for the benefit of others, family, church, society, and even our enemies (Mateus5: 44). Also, love will give us patience, resignation and strength to withstand the violent acts perpetrated against us. There we will want revenge and will trust in Divine Judgment, which will reward each according to his works (Zephaniah 1:9, Romans 2:6). Finally, all readers who suffer oppression, abuse, terrorism, and war must remember that God in his providence has the desire and the power to strengthen, help, protect and to deliver them from the violence of their enemies (Psalm 118:13, 2 Samuel 22:03, Psalm 18:3, 48).

Bibliographic Reference

BIBLE. Available at: http://www.bibliaonline.com.br/acf: Book of Genesis, chap.4 vers. 3-8. Access 17/07/2012.

NIV Bible Commentary: Old and New Testament, FF general editor Bruce translation Valdemar Kroker - São Paulo: Editora Vida, 2009.

HOMICIDE. Available at: http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Homic% C3% Addio. access 17/07/2012
HUNGARY, Nelson Comments Penal Code, 5th Publisher Forensics, vol. I, volume II, p. 188.
JESUS​​, Damasio E. Criminal Law - Sao Paulo: Saraiva 1999.

Noronha, E. Magellan. Criminal Law - Sao Paulo: Saraiva, 1999.

CORE STUDY OF VIOLENCE, NEV, University of São PauloUSP, Available at: http://www.nevusp.org/portugues/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=2860&Itemid=211. Access 17/07/2012.

Magazine of El Centinela September/2010. ERRA, Teresa. Homicide Qualified - Coimbra, 1994.Artigo written by Fernando Canale (Doctor of Theology and professor at Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Michigan).

Reference the Author:
Lilian Santos Bernardo da Silva - Mediator and conciliator Judicial Court in the state of São Paulo-Brazil
Contacts: liliansantos02@gmail.com / cell 55-11-98763-1969

THE PHYSICAL EFFECTS OF RAPE

Rape is defined as one person forcing another, without this person's consent and using violence or threatening violence, to have intercourse or other forms of sexual activity. The same definition is applicable if the person is violated while in a vulnerable state such as sleep, unconsciousness, intoxication, physical or mental disability. Any present or previous relationship between the parties is irrelevant.

The effects of rape can be both physical/biological and psychological trauma.

Physical impact of rape

Physically documented symptoms of rape include: vaginal and anal bleeding, pain, bruises and scars on the body, irritation and tenderness in the vaginal area, and sometimes tears in the vaginal-rectal area. Others are: subsequent painful sexual intercourse, urinary tract infections, dysfunction of the hip and legs, the contraction of numerous sexually transmitted diseases including HIV/AIDS and pregnancy.

Pregnancy from rape

Pregnancy may result from rape. The rate varies between settings and depends particularly on the extent to which non-barrier contraceptives are being used.

A 1996 longitudinal study in the United States of over 4000 women followed for three years found that the national rape related pregnancy rate was 5.0% per rape among victims aged 12–45 years, producing over 32,000 pregnancies nationally among women from rape each year.

A study of adolescents in Ethiopia found that among those who reported being raped, 17% became pregnant after the rape, a figure which is similar to the 15–18% reported by rape crisis centres in Mexico.

Experience of coerced sex at an early age reduces a woman's ability to see her sexuality as something over which she has control. As a result, it is less likely that an adolescent girl who has been forced into sex will use condoms or other forms of contraception, decreasing the likelihood of her not becoming pregnant.

Sexually transmitted diseases

Rape sex can increase the risk of transmitting HIV. In forced vaginal penetration, abrasions and cuts commonly occur, thus facilitating the entry of the virus through the vaginal mucosa. Adolescent girls are particularly susceptible to HIV infection through forced sex, and even through unforced sex, because their vaginal mucous membranes have not yet acquired cellular density sufficient to provide an effective barrier that develops in the later teenage years.

For rape victims the more common consequences of sexual violence are those related to reproductive health, mental health, and social wellbeing. Though the psychological effects are potentially more life altering for the victim, the physical effects are just as adverse and are pretty much immediate.

BY Dr. CHARLES IMMANUEL AKHIMIEN

REFERENCES

Eby, K; Campbell, JC; Sullivan, CM; Davidson Ws, 2nd (1995). "Health effects of experiences of sexual violence for women with abusive partners". Health Care for Women International 16 (6): 563–576. doi:10.1080/07399339509516210. PMID 8707690.

Collett, BJ; Cordle, CJ; Stewart, CR; Jagger, C (1998). "A comparative study of women with chronic pelvic pain, chronic nonpelvic pain and those with no history of pain attending general practitioners". British Journal of Obstetrics and Gynaecology 105 (1): 87–92. doi:10.1111/j.1471-0528.1998.tb09356.x. PMID 9442168.

Yuzpe, A. Albert; Smith, R. Percival and Rademaker, Alfred W. (April 1982). "A Multicenter Clinical Investigation Employing ethinyl estradiol combined with dl-norgestrel as a Postcoital Contraceptive agent". Fertility and Sterility 37 (4).

LET IT NOT BE IN VAIN

These last few days, the world was abuzz on the tragic fate that has befallen the medical student who was gang-raped by 6 men in a moving bus in the center of Delhi. News of her death has caused so much outrage at how authorities handled the incident. 

I felt so much disappointment at the thought that there could actually be men who can be so brutal as to subject a helpless woman to such torture. But there are such people, and not just in India.  I asked myself if they would have done the same thing if they were not under the influence of alcohol…but one was sober enough to be able to drive around the major streets of Delhi without being noticed of driving under the influence. There is NO EXCUSE for what was done to her and she and her family deserve justice.

Statistics show that there is an incidence of rape every 18 hours in Delhi. Over 24,000 rape cases in India in 2011 and less than 26% convictions.  Just days before the Delhi incident, a 17-year old teenager was also gang-raped. She committed suicide in despair that no one, not even the authorities who are expected to help and protect her, did anything to charge the criminals. Pathetic is not a strong enough word to describe what the police had done. Instead of charging the criminals, the police suggested that the victim marry one of her rapists and to drop the case against her rapists. Is that not adding insult and more humiliation to the injury inflicted on her? It is tragic enough that the victims suffered so much from these criminals. But it is so much worse that the very people expected to protect them have shamelessly dishonored themselves from the very people they have SWORN TO PROTECT.   

The article posted by Olga Khazan and Rama Lakshmi on December 29, 2012 in the Washington Post put it quite directly, “It will be hard to end discrimination against women at police stations when it starts in the crib.” It is not just the handling of the rape incidents by authorities that is flawed and despicable. The mindset of a highly patriarchal society HAS TO CHANGE. Women are neither objects nor chattel to be abused, sold or traded. No man will exist without women bearing and giving them life. WHEN will these men even realize that? To make matters worse, some women even seem to accept the state of women being in a lower social stature than men. Do the women have to rise up in arms against such men to defend themselves from brutal violence and at the very least be treated with respect? Is that why there are men who take such pain in making sure girls are deprived of an education, sold in brothels, or made to work at home to do chores? To make sure they do not surpass the superiority of men? Because they’re dispensable?  JUST GIRLS?
As outrage burst in the streets of India, the gang-rapes continued. A10-year old was gang-raped and fished out from a canal in Bihar state's Saharsa district. Another 14 -year old schoolgirl was in critical condition in Banka district of Bihar after she was raped by four men. Gang-rapes seem to have become so common. Delhi has earned itself the title of being the “rape capital” of India. Not a title to be proud of. Or is it to the men who think violating women makes them superior and strong?  

The truth cannot be ignored. Women have EVERY RIGHT to be educated, to be respected, to walk the streets at night and live without fear because their gender exposes them to people who never learned what respect for human life is.

WE HAVE TO LEARN TO FIGHT FOR OUR RIGHTS AND BE INDEPENDENT!  We cannot just take things sitting down and accept a degrading fate of being dependent on men for our daily food and survival.   

Let the memories of what happened to Aruna Shanbaug, Hanufa Khatoon, Bhanwari Devi and many others like them, some nameless and never to be found ever be forgotten. They deserve no less. Do not let all they suffered for be in vain.

LET IT NOT BE IN VAIN

By Lylin Aguas

Sources:

1. India Bus Gang Rape: Outrage Spreads Over Public Sexual Assault - http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2012/12/29/india-rape-victim-dies-sexual-violence-proble/      

2. 2. 10 reasons why India has a sexual violence problem - http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/19/india-bus-gang-rape_n_2329002.html?ref=topbar

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With Malice towards fellow citizens

Molested in public. Raped in front of hundreds of people - people who poured in to see the live porn. People, like you sir, who could just sympathize with her situation but not take any action. People who knew it was wrong but were afraid to raise a voice. People, like those cameramen, who were worried more about capturing the exclusive footage, rather than helping the victim. People, like our worthy policemen, who were more interested in taking bribes at a nearby checkpoint, rather than reaching out for the women in trouble.

A 17 year old girl is molested by a group of 20 youths; and I quote the word 'YOUTHS'; in public. Her mistake - and mind you, WE are the best people to judge what's wrong and right for someone else, especially the women, isn't it?? - she was a visitor at a night pub.

And there our brains strike - A GIRL. A night pub visitor. Ooo!! She must be a prostitute. Her morals are not correct. Perhaps we should set them right, for we are the highest moral authority in her life; aren't we??
And so we collectively approach the girl. Molest her. Torment her. Blot her for life. Bring disgrace to her and her family. And then walk in proud, proud because we have given her the best deal, we have set her morals right.

DISGUSTING.

O thou rapists, answer me. Answer those sisters of mine whose soul you crucified, those ladies, who now never walk down the lonely streets and those girls, who now doubt the integrity of every man who comes in their life. Answer them.

Whose morals weren't correct?? Was it YOU or her??

Was it YOU, who was perverted enough to impress your desires over her's OR was it her, who was just having a gala time at a pub??

Well, how could it have been YOU? The victims were the culprits, isn't it?? If none else, at-least our ministers believe this.

"Girls should not go in public wearing provocative clothes. It seduces, prompting such incidents", Member of Legislative Assembly (MLA) - West Bengal. Hah!! Shame on YOU sir. If only you could have developed a broader mindset, (and forbid me when I say) if only your daughter had been raped, would you have been able to understand the disgust of your comments.

O Minister of mine, don't tell me what to do; I am doing my job and if i get raped, its you who are to blame. YOU. You didn't provide me with better security. Your officials weren't there to protect me.
Its YOU who has those VVIP securities, not ME. I walk alone. Alone in those lonely streets where threats of rape, kidnapping and terrorism haunt me.

I get killed. I get raped. I, Not YOU. And so, why should it bother You.

Well sir do the best you can - take a nap and digest the loot. The citizens of this country will come up with some jugaad. But sir, do remember one thing - Don't show your spiteful face during the elections, it just won't help.

Dear esteemed citizens of my great country, which we so proudly call the Incredible India, its time we changed our attitude and grow in ourselves true morals and social etiquette. We just can't take anymore social nuisance, anymore discrimination between North Indians and South Indians, anymore of rapes and kidnappings. Its time we changed our mindset and sprout the seeds of a new India. Its time we grow.

Its time we never get to read such blog posts again.

Written by Arjun Tuli

Rape is never legitimate

The big buzz on women’s rights in the United States has lately focused on the comments of one congressman, Todd Akin of Missouri representing the Republican or GOP party. When asked if women who become pregnant due to rape should have the choice of abortion, he stated that: 

“Well you know, people always want to try to make that as one of those things, well how do you, how do you slice this particularly tough sort of ethical question. First of all, from what I understand from doctors, that’s really rare. If it’s a legitimate rape, the female body has ways to try to shut that whole thing down. But let’s assume that maybe that didn’t work or something. I think there should be some punishment, but the punishment ought to be on the rapist and not attacking the child.” –Todd Akin 

Basically, Akin is saying that there are two kinds of rape—“legitimate” and “illegitimate.” How can rape be “legitimate”? As a student graduating with a bachelor’s degree in biology, I have never encountered any evidence that a woman’s body is able to somehow magically reject sperm entering their bodies with or without force. There are studies to support that rape-related pregnancy occurs with significant frequency and the chance of pregnancy is ultimately the same as with rape and consensual sex. Is the body supposed to also magically recognize that the women is being raped legitimately and let the sperm enter? Rape is never legitimate. There is only one kind of rape—illegitimate, cruel, and torturous. How is this even a discussion in one of the most powerful and supposedly civilized countries in the world? This also portrays the thoughts of the GOP party in the US, which is one of the largest parties to lead the US politically forming policies in regards to its citizens. After Akin made this statement, leaders of the GOP party and several others called for him to drop out of the senate race in Missouri. Despite this, Akin did not drop out and stays in the race.  
President Obama released a statement in response to Akin’s disturbing thoughts:
“Rape is rape. And the idea that we should be parsing and qualifying and slicing what types of rape we are talking about doesn't make sense to the American people and certainly doesn't make sense to me. So what I think these comments do underscore is why we shouldn't have a bunch of politicians, a majority of whom are men, making health care decisions on behalf of women." –President Barack Obama 

I could not agree more. How can Akin, a 65 year old white male, who has never experienced the hardships of women make a statement such as this? He is not one of the hundreds of women in the Democratic Republic of Congo where rape is a constant threat by armed gangs. He is not a woman whose body will be used and disposed of because of a war for minerals. He is not one of the hundred thousands of women that will sometime in their lives experience rape.
A great article written by Eve Ensler can be found here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/eve-ensler/todd-akin-rape_b_1812930.html
-Surya Singh

Sexual Violence...The New Weapon of War

It was called Slavery during the civil war, Comfort Women in World War II, and today they are considered the modern day sex slaves. During the civil war, the women were discriminated upon and abused because of their race. In World War II, the Comfort Women who were victims of the Japanese military sexual violence were abducted, lured with promises of work and brought in “comfort stations” to be raped, abused, or punished for whatever reason. It is said that approximately three quarters of comfort women died, and most survivors were left infertile due to sexual trauma or sexually transmitted disease.  

In the Bosnian war in the 1990s, sexualized violence was also rampant. There were “rape camps” where women were repeatedly tortured and violated, some by as many as 20 men a day – an “ethnic cleansing” of children and adults through sexual violence because of their religion. In other nations like the Democratic Republic of Congo, Sudan, Sierra Leone, Myanmar, Bangladesh, Libya or Egypt, the males and females suffer the same fate under what is now called the new weapon of war – sexual violence.

Though historically the majority of the victims were female, sexual violence during conflicts of war does not discriminate on gender or age. By using sexual violence as a form of weapon to humiliate and strip them of their dignity, the victims to a large extent lose their spirit and will to fight, shaming and bringing dishonor to their families.

For some who were able to escape their abusers, there was a glimmer of hope to start a new life, but the tragic and violent experience will always remain a deep scar in their memories. Some never really recovered from the trauma. Many continue to suffer in silence for fear of further humiliation and being ostracized by their own families and the society they live in. Others never survived the torture and abuses inflicted on them. They perished from the systematic acts of sexual violence... the nameless and faceless John and Jane Does, forever buried into obscurity and never to be found again.

To this day, the debate continues on the number of actual victims. The difficulty in coming out with an accurate statistical data is largely due to the fact that such violence is kept by the victims and their families, many resorting to honor killing to protect the family’s reputation. Some simply disappeared. Others were too emotionally and psychologically distraught to report and recount the horrors of their experience.

And to add to what is already an acknowledged concern by the international community, there were people expected to be protectors of the victims - the “peacekeepers,” who also turned out to be involved in abuses or exploitation. The victims were left to fend for themselves the best they can under the circumstances where such “peacekeepers” were involved in sexual abuses. Such was the case recently reported in the Democratic Republic of Congo where the sexual violations committed by UN peacekeepers were termed a grave betrayal of trust. UN Peacekeepers reported as sexually and violently violating young girls were not really questioned  “so long as they wear that iconic blue beret or blue helmet.” How such criminal acts can be tolerated is deplorable and should be punishable and never tolerated.   

Developments:

Though there have been developments in addressing the growing concern on the use of sexual violence as a tool or weapon during conflicts of war, the pace is still going way too slow.

In Sierra Leone, former Liberian President Charles Taylor became the first head of state since World War II to be convicted by an international war crimes court on 11 counts of war crimes and crimes against humanity. He was convicted of kidnapping children and turning them into child soldiers and sex slaves aside from the notoriety of hacking off the limbs of their enemies and carving their groups' initials into opponents.

The Dayton Accords signed after the Bosnia-Herzegovina war provided for restitution for survivors of sexualized violence. Victims were supposed to be allowed to return to their former homes as long as the return would be “safe and dignified.” But “no rules have been put in place to provide alternatives for the many women whose former homes are the site of extreme trauma and sometimes months of repeated rape.”   Though the Accord was enacted, it failed in the sense that some victims ended up returning to communities only to be vulnerable to the very people who committed abuses against them and their families.  

The victims of war through sexual slavery should not be viewed as dishonour to the family. Nor should they be treated as mere victims of sexual violence or another number added to the growing statistics of such violence. Rather they should be provided with the means to recover from their trauma to be able to start a new life again. Family support and professional therapy to help them cope are critical to their recovery. Some may never be able to cope and live through the degrading and inhuman experience they went through. The road to recovery won’t be easy for these victims but with the support from their families, government and Non-Government Organizations, they have a chance...

Sources and Readings:

• Int'l Criminal Tribunal for Former Yugoslavia was 1st intl tribunal in Europe to convict rape as crime against humanity http://ow.ly/cSTns  
• Sudan's activists face rape--1 fights back. The story of this remarkable 25-year-old woman embodies courage: http://tinyurl.com/c5fb3mt #DRC
• When the numbers don’t add up: Researchers and media struggle with stats on sexualized violence http://ow.ly/cSSxQ #VAW
• Rape casualties should be considered wounded combatants rather than mere victims of sexual violence.  - http://www.stopdemand.org/afawcs0153418/CATID=5/ID=378/SID=572773169/Libya-Hidden-deaths-of-Libyan-rape-survivors.html
• Bosnia's Women - The Long Road to Recovery: http://ow.ly/cSuuo #VAW
• Women Under Siege Project: http://ow.ly/cSINo
• Stories of Comfort Women -  http://www.npr.org/blogs/pictureshow/2011/06/04/134271795/comfort-women-untold-stories-of-wartime-abuse
• Peacekeepers gone wild: How much more abuse will the UN ignore in Congo? - https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/second-reading/peacekeepers-gone-wild-how-much-more-abuse-will-the-un-ignore-in-congo/article4462151/?cmpid=rss1  
• Dayton Accord -  Amnesty International reported in 2009 - http://www.womenundersiegeproject.org/conflicts/profile/bosnia#witness

By Lylin Aguas

Does gender inequality fuel statelessness?

Statelessness is a legal concept describing the lack of any nationality, of any recognized link between an individual and any state able to dispossess someone from the enjoyment of the full array of human rights and from the full participation in society.

Worldwide it is estimated by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees there are over 12 million people worldwide in the invisibility of statelessness, in the search for citizenship and identity. In this limbo, half of the 12 million is of children.

In the case of women and their children, the lack of nationality means no legal status in place to effectively protect them from sexual violence or any other sort of abuses and bias.

In this zone of vulnerability, the denial of nationality leaves deep and pervasive roots. It impedes the construction of a cultural identity and it drastically impacts on a range of human rights such as access to education, to health and to official jobs, just to name a few. Further, It also prevents any engagement in society and in social and political activities such as getting married, voting, acquiring property.

However, it is relevant to ask does gender inequality fuel statelessness? Indeed, it does. One possible cause was made noticed by UNHCR in the occasion of the International Women’s Day.

On March 08, 2012, UNHCR Geneva issued a warning on the fact that unequal treatment of women in domestic legal orders may contribute to the number of stateless people. In given press release, it was stressed that in most continents there are domestic nationality laws based on gender discrimination. At least 25 countries have in the domestic legal order, provisions preventing women from passing on their nationality to their children.  According to UNHCR, most countries out of those 25 are based in Middle East and North of Africa (12), in the Sub-Saharan Africa (09), in Asia (4) and in South America (02).

Grounded on this form of discrimination, children are brought into this world from day one as stateless and, hence, as vulnerable and invisible human beings. It strikes most because such situations take place despite the existence of core international instruments on Statelessness (the 1954 Convention on the Status of Stateless Persons and the 1961 Convention on the Reductions of Statelessness) on women (the 1979 Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women) and on children’s rights (the 1989 Convention on the Rights of the Child).

Conscious of the importance of State participation in the improvement of statelessness issues, UNHCR has launched an awareness campaign to the protection, prevention and reduction of statelessness.

Though significant improvements require collective efforts, one initial step for the prevention of statelessness may be of legislative nature at domestic level calling States to revise their domestic laws, in particular those nationality-related, in order to embrace gender equity (equal right to men and women) alike recently have done Sri Lanka, Egypt, Iraq, Indonesia, Morocco, Bangladesh, Zimbabwe, Kenya, Tunisia and Monaco.