Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic / 28th October- 3rd November

         Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic

Written by Nikunj 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 28th October- 3rd November 2017.

Former US President accused of harassment

George HW Bush, the former president of the United States, has been accused of sexual harassment by at least three women. The allegation is that Bush would grab the behind of these women and make a dirty joke during photo sessions while he was wheelchair bound.
“To try to put people at ease, the president routinely tells the same joke – and on occasion, he has patted women’s rears in what he intended to be a good-natured manner. Some have seen it as innocent; others clearly view it as inappropriate,” McGrath, Bush’s spokesperson, wrote. “To anyone he has offended, President Bush apologizes most sincerely.”

Kevin Spacey scandal

Kevin Spacey has been accused by a male Broadway actor of sexually harassing him when he was just fourteen years old. Following the allegation Kevin Spacey came out as gay, his response was widely criticised. Spacey said that he didn’t remember the incident but he apologized in case he acted inappropriately while he was drunk. Now about eight members of the House of Cards crew have alleged sexual harassment by Kevin Spacey.

Delhi High court on sexual harassment

A woman had filled a case in April 2005 in which she alleged that her male colleague entered the laboratory where she was working, grabbed her arm, snatched the samples from her hand and threw them on the floor. He also pushed her out of the room according to her.She claimed that this was an unwelcome physical contact that would amount to sexual harassment. The internal complaint process had concluded that the conflict was not sexual in nature and now the Delhi High Court has stated that all physical contact is not sexual harassment.

Uncles sentenced to life imprisonment

Two men were sentenced to life in prison for raping their 10-year-old niece, who gave birth to a baby girl in August. Both the trials were completed within a month. The second uncle was arrested after the baby’s DNA sample did not match that of his older brother, the first suspect.

Brett Ratner sexual harassment allegations

Six women have accused filmmaker Brett Ratner of sexual harassment including actress Olivia Munn who has accused him of masturbating in front of her when she went in his trailer to give him food. Warner Brothers has since cut his ties with Ratner who has denied these allegations.

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