Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/ 30th December to 5th January 2017

                                          Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic

Written by Nikunj Morarka

Policy and Legal Team

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 30th December to 5th January 2017.

Indian national accused of harassment on flight

Prabhu Ramamoorthy has been accused of abusing a 22-year-old woman seated by the window next to him while his wife was on his other side on a Spirit Airlines flight from Las Vegas to Detroit. Ramamoorthy, who prosecutors said was an Indian national living in the US on a temporary visa, was charged with aggravated sexual abuse and held without bail after an appearance in federal court in Michigan on Thursday, the Washington Post reported. The victim told investigators that she woke up to discover the fellow passenger shoving his fingers inside her pants and “vigorously moving them”, according to a federal criminal complaint. She said her shirt was also “unbuttoned

Director accused of assault and rape

Four women have accused screenwriter and director Paul Haggis of some form of sexual misconduct ranging from harassment to assault and rape. According to reporting from the Associated Press, one woman alleges that Haggis sexually harassed her, another says that he sexually assaulted her, and third claims he raped her. The fourth woman, Haggis’ former publicist Haleigh Breest, accused Haggis in December of raping her in 2013. Breest sued Haggis for $9 million in December and he filed a countersuit. All of the alleged incidents took place between 1996 and 2015.

YouTuber accused of assault

Amra Ricketts, a popular YouTuber and member of the network Smosh Games, has left the organization after being accused by multiple women of sexual assault. “I wanted to let all of you know that effective immediately, I’m leaving Smosh Games,” Ricketts wrote on Twitter yesterday. “Last week I was accused of some of the worst things imaginable by a group of old friends and former roommate. While I deny all allegations against me, this community, my family at Smosh Games, and the team behind it mean so much to me. I cannot risk this having a negative impact on them.” Ricketts added that he is “working with a lawyer to disprove all false claims.”

Tony award-winning actor apologizes for misconduct

Ben Vereen, a Tony Award-winning actor has issued an apology following allegations of sexual misconduct by two actresses, during a regional production that he directed, according to a report in the Daily News. Vereen is alleged to have invited female cast members back to his apartment and goaded them into sex acts. He’s also accused of inappropriate talk and conduct during rehearsals that involved cast members stripping naked, ostensibly as preparation for a show that has, since its original 1967 production, been associated with a famous, full-cast nude scene.

Coach booked under POSCO

A coach has been booked on charges of rape and also under the POSCO Act for allegedly attempting to rape two minor women athletes. Superintendent of Police (city) Rohit Sajwan on Friday said a case under the POCSO Act and for committing rape has been registered against the absconding coach Sahibe Alam. According to police, a woman athlete alleged that Alam had molested her and attempted to rape her during a tournament in Meeraganj. When the athlete resisted, the coach started harassing her.

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