Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic / 18th- 23rd November
Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic
Written by Shaziya Shaikh
Writers Movement
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 18th- 23rd November 2017.
A 4-year-old is sexual assaulted in school
A mother’s letter gave an account of an alleged sexual assault of her child and her struggle with the school authorities after reporting it. The 4-year-old was sexually attacked by a schoolmate in the absence of the instructor. The child narrated the incident to her parents being unable to bear the pain. Later, a physician confirmed the possibility of a sexual assault, the mother reached the school offices to describe the violation. Withal, the letter, which was mailed to a newspaper, claims that the school showed insensitivity towards the kid and her parent.
Minimum age for giving consent for sex to be introduced as part of the French Constitution soon.
With increasing number of reported sexual crimes, France today, is ready to bring law determining minimum age of consent for sex. The judges have refused to prosecute men for having sex with minor children in a number of cases due to lack of proof of coercion. 13 years has been proposed as the minimal age for consent by Justice Minister Nicole Belloubet while other leaders have occupied a stall for an age of 15 years.
‘They started exploring our bodies and took away our clothes forcefully’: Noor, Rohingya gang rape victim
18-yr-old Noor, unveils the trauma and chilling truths of her sexual assault. After weeks of the assault, Noor is still hurting from her mental and physical injuries. With evidences of the sexual crimes committed by the military in Myanmar in its ethnic cleansing operation, more and more women and young women like Noor are coming forth with their accounts in hopes of justice.
Sexually assaulted child to change hospital for better facilities.
10-yr-old rape survivor was shifted to a private hospital for better health care by the State government, who has taken up the responsibility of the victim’s medical expenses. The minor was forced into sexual intercours by the Imam of the madrassa, Abdullah Naji, on 9th October. Later, after days of experiencing severe pain, the child finally told her parents about the violation.
Olympic Gymnast physician pleads guilty of sexual crimes
Accused by more than 130 women for sexual assault, Former Olympic gymnastics team physician Larry Nassar, pleads guilty for seven first-degree criminal sexual behaviour. Nassar’s way of treating athletes has been reported as inappropriate from as long as 1997 at the Michigan State. Nevertheless, due to a woman publicly accusing him of assault, many others have come forward, opening up about their experiences of similar nature with Nassar.
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