Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/ 5 Aug-11 Aug
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 news from 5th to 11th August, 2017.
Peon rapes 4 year old schoolgirl
A peon at Seth Juggilal Poddar academy in Malad has been arrested for allegedly raping a 4 year old girl in the school bathroom. He has been sent to police custody until 11th August. Massive protests are taking place outside the school.
Google employee fired for sexist memo
Google employee, James Damore, was fired after writing a memo titled “Google’s Ideological Echo Chamber”. In the memo he argued that while sexism existed there were real biological differences between men and women which justified the wage gap. He argued that women were, in general, unable to handle stress as well as men and were not assertive. He criticised Google for practising, according to him, affirmative action and effectively discriminating against men. In a memo, the CEO of Google, Sundar Pichai said “To suggest a group of our colleagues have traits that make them less biologically suited to that work is offensive and not OK,” Pichai wrote.
Fox news host suspended for sexual harassment
Fox news host Eric Bolling was suspended from Fox News after allegations surfaced that he sent unsolicited photos of male genitalia several years ago to at least two female colleagues at Fox Business Network and at least one colleague at Fox News according to Mediate, the allegations first surfaced in Huffington Post which cited a dozen sources. This comes after CEO of Fox News, Roger Ailes and the highest rated host of Fox News Bill O’Reilly were fired for the sexual harassment allegations against them.
MLA accused of Rape denied bail
M. Vincent, a Congress MLA from Kerala was denied bail this Tuesday after he was arrested on 22nd of July and sent to 14 days of judicial custody on charges of raping a woman and abetting her suicide. The victim’s husband had registered the complaint after the woman claimed that the MLA had harassed her by constantly calling her and raped her, after a failed suicide attempt.
2 CRPF officers sexually harass schoolgirls
Two CRPF officers in Chhattisgarh have been accused of sexual harassment. One has been held while the other went on leave two days after the incident. A warrant has been issued for him. During a programme organised for CRPF (Central Railway Police Force) personnel on Raksha Bandhan, the two officers allegedly approached girls going to the toilet and harassed three of them by making them undergo a body search for no valid reason.
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In case you like this new series, hate it, or think there are stories that we should be covering but have missed out on, please email us at [email protected]. We look forward to your inputs and feedback!
