Stand Against Sexual Violence and Rape

Do it for our daughters, our mothers, our nieces, and our sisters around the world…

Today, November 25^th, is International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women– a day that marks the launch of a 16-day campaign to raise awareness and shout out a collective ‘NO’ to the global epidemic of violence against women and girls. The campaign will culminate on Human Rights Day on December 10^th symbolically linking violence against women with human rights– because there is no doubt, violence is the ultimate violation of a woman’s human rights.

A staggering 35 percent of women will experience violence at the hands of their current or former partners.

Violence against women and girls takes many different forms including rape, harassment, domestic violence, child-forced marriage, sex trafficking, so called ‘honor’ crimes, and female genital mutilation.

Many perpetrators believe that this kind of violence is normal or appropriate behavior– part of the fabric of the society in which they live. This is evident even in the U.S. when our own government leaders and key public actors dismiss, condone, and even commit violence against women without censure or consequence.

Gender-based violence knows no social or socio-economic boundaries.

It is rampant in developed countries as well as developing countries and exists among rich as well as poor women. Though decades of struggle by the women’s rights movement have at last persuaded the international community to view violence against women as a human rights concern and not just as a private matter, this ruthless violation of women’s human rights remains unchecked. And it’s getting worse…

The pandemic has created an alarming spike in violence against women and girls.

Job loss, economic, and food insecurity and situations where women and girls are confined to close quarters with their abusers are fueling a dramatic increase in violence. Services, including law enforcement, hotlines, rape management, and crisis shelters are being diverted to tackle the pandemic. And for girls, school closures have only intensified their exposure to harassment, both online and offline.

As you read this blog, women and girls are being raped, harassed, violated and abused– often with impunity.

Brace yourself. The facts are nothing short of shocking:

1 in 3 women and girls experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime, most frequently by their partner (some studies show this number to be 2 in 3 women and girls)

603 million women live in countries where domestic violence is not yet considered a crime

200 million women and girls have undergone female genital mutilation

1 in 2 women murdered worldwide were murdered by their partners or family

Women and girls make up 80% of the estimated 800,000 people trafficked across national borders annually, with 79% of them trafficked for sexual exploitation

Over 60 million girls worldwide are child brides, married before the age of 18

Only 52% of women married or in a union freely make their own decisions about sexual relations, contraceptive use, and healthcare

More than 100 million girls are “missing” due to prenatal sex selection

Violence against women is as serious a cause of death and incapacity among women of reproductive age as cancer

This brutish violence against women and girls MUST STOP.

Violence against women and girls has long been justified, tolerated, and hidden. But some progress is being made. Awareness raising via social media such as #MeToo, #TimesUp, #Niunamenos, and others are making an impact. Awareness campaigns such as the International Day of Elimination of Violence Against Women are helping the global community wake up to the fact that gender-based violence doesn’t just take a horrific toll on its victims and their children, but on communities and the wider society as well– negatively impacting everything from healthcare and productivity to overall development and economic progress.

It’s not just a day– it’s a global outcry. Let your voice be heard!

Share your photos, messages and videos showing how you are participating in the campaign on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter using #OrangeTheWorld and #GenerationEquality. You can also join the conversation on social media by sharing our campaign materials that you can download here. For more information about “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands against Rape” and action ideas, see this year’s concept note.

Are you, or someone you love, experiencing violence? These hotlines offer support from well-trained caring advocates 24/7/365 (including holidays).

National Domestic Violence Hotlinevisit disclaimer page – 1-800-799-7233 or TTY 1-800-787-3224 – Secure online chat at http://www.thehotline.org/what-is-live-chat/visit disclaimer page
National Teen Dating Abuse Helplinevisit disclaimer page – 1-866-331-9474 or TTY 1-866-331-8453 – Secure online chat at http://www.loveisrespect.org/get-help/contact-us/chat-with-usvisit disclaimer page or text “loveis” to 22522
National Sexual Assault Hotline (RAINN)visit disclaimer page – 1-800-656-4673 Choose #1 to talk to a counselor – Secure online private chat at
https://ohl.rainn.org/online/visit disclaimer page
Stalking Resource Centervisit disclaimer page – Access online resources to learn things you can do if you or someone you know is being stalked

Have you, or someone you love, experienced institutional sexual assault or harassment?

We want to hear from you. A Case for Women is a women-owned- and run organization dedicated to helping individuals get the justice and monetary compensation they rightfully deserve. Our role is to provide a safe place for dialogue and to help facilitate communication between you and your law firm.

Stand Against Sexual Violence and Rape

Issues

Invisible Battles – Forgotten Heroes.