Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/26th to 31st August 2018
Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic
Written by Khushali Jaiswal
Blogging 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 news from 26th to 31st August 2018.
- Training on matters of consent and sexual violence, ‘an active approach by fraternities in Canada’
“There is no specific person who can hide from sexual violence … it can happen to anyone,” said Brett Gilmore, president of the Concordia University chapter of Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity. In the wake of thousands of stories of survivors of rape, assault and harassment, some taking place on school campuses, fraternities in Canada say they want to provide training to their members on matters of consent and sexual violence.
2. Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in making of new policies on campus sexual misconduct, encourage schools to provide support to ‘victims’
New US sexual misconduct policies bolster rights of accused and protect colleges. Unlike the Obama administration’s guidance documents, the Trump administration’s new rules will have the force of law and can go into force without an act of Congress, after a public comment period. The proposed rules, obtained by The New York Times, narrow the definition of sexual harassment, holding schools accountable only for formal complaints filed through proper authorities and for conduct said to have occurred on their campuses. They would also establish a higher legal standard to determine whether schools improperly addressed complaints.
3. ‘Bentley’ being the only Massachusetts university to receive the U.S. Justice Department funding, demonstrating the university’s proactive leadership in combating sexual violence.
Bentley University has been awarded a $300,000 federal grant to strengthen efforts to prevent sexual violence and stalking among students of color, LGBTQIA community and international students. Bentley has been a leader in addressing and preventing gender-based violence and educating students about healthy relationships. The university requires all first-year, transfer and graduate students to complete a training on relationship violence. The grant will help Bentley establish new programs for populations who are often disproportionately affected by sexualised violence as well as fund trainings in sexual violence prevention for the staff and community partners.
4. India tops the ‘Thomas Reuters Foundation 2018 survey’ in the most dangerous country for women
There was an executive order issued by the Prime Minister Narendra Modi this year allowing death penalty as punishment for those convicted of sexually assaulting a child below 12 years. But stricter laws could do a little in saving 34 girls from being tortured and raped in government funded shelter in state of Bihar this year. India barely fares better in other studies that rank its treatment of women. Research suggests India can address these crimes better if more women are in power.
5. UK to prohibit commercials that promote gender stereotypes
The UK government will soon prohibit commercials that encourage gender stereotypes in an attempt to combat sexism around the world. This year, U. N. Women teamed up with Unilever and other industry leaders like Facebook, Google, Mars and Microsoft to launch the Unstereotype Alliance. The aim of this global campaign is to end stereotypical and sexist portrayals of gender in advertising.
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