Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic / 11th- 17th November
Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic
Written by Vandita Morarka
Policy and Legal Team
Sexual violence is a global pandemic. One in three women experience 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 sensitisation 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 11th- 17th November 2017.
Four men in Bangalore arrested for gang raping a teenage girl
The girl was believed to have left her home on 26th October and was reported missing on 30th October. The four men have been taken into judicial custody, the accused include the manager of the hotel and a friend of the girl. The police said they have also registered a case of rape and kidnap under the Protection of Children Against Sexual Offences Act, because the girl is a minor. This incident has also sparked further protests for stronger anti rape laws.
Two finger tests continues despite being outlawed
A study by Human Rights Watch (HRW) found that the illegal “two-finger test” – which involves a doctor inserting fingers into a rape victim’s vagina to determine if she is sexually active – being carried out in a hospital in the state of Rajasthan – this is despite legal reform and guidelines that outlawed this test. HRW also said that access to support services, ranging from legal aid to healthcare, is poor and gender-friendly government guidelines are often flouted.
Burmese military guilty of widespread rape of Rohingyas
While the Rohingya refugee crisis continues, reports highlight widespread rape and sexual assault against Rohingya girls and women as part of an ethnic cleansing campaign. Pramila Patten, the UN special envoy on sexual violence in conflict also stated that sexual violence was “being commanded, orchestrated and perpetrated by the Armed Forces of Burma.”
Donald Trump reprimands Franken for sexual harassment, forgets his own history of perpetrating sexual abuse
Franken, a senator in the USA was accused by a Los Angeles radio newscaster, Leeann Tweeden, of sexual harassment. Trump tweeted about the incident, seemingly reprimanding Franken – ironically, Trump seemed to have forgotten his own erstwhile comments on issues of sexual abuse and his personal history of sexual harassment and abuse.
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