WARNING: Graphic Images
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Tag Archives: sexual violence
Rape as a Weapon II
WARNING: Graphic Images
“‘Neighbourhoods and homes were continuously attacked, looted, burned and destroyed,’ especially those where Masalit and other African communities lived, and their people were harassed, assaulted, sexually abused, and at times, executed [1A].”
The United Nations confirms that rape is being used as a weapon against women and girls in the Sudanese civil war [1B][2A].
NGOs describe rape as an everyday occurrence, with both warring parties participating, and numbers estimated as high as 4,400 during this latest conflict [2B]. But civil war has been ongoing in Sudan (in three stages) since 1955, and rape has been employed from the outset [3].
“…systemic rape in homes, detention facilities, public checkpoints, and interrogation centres…committed mainly by members of the police force, intelligence officers, interrogators and prison guards…[including] forced nudity, [punitive] virginity test, and sexual torture [4A].”
This tactic is not new. We have seen it used in Iraq; Rwanda; Syria, Egypt, Libya, and elsewhere in the Middle East during the Arab Spring; in India; and most recently against Israel [4B][5][6][7A][8][9]. In Rwanda, between 100,000 and 250,000 women were raped during the three months of genocide. Continue reading
Sisterhood and Sexual Violence by Hamas
Graffiti by Grafitiyul and Guy Morad critical of women’s organizations which ignored testimony by Israeli women regarding rape and sexual violence during Hamas terrorist attacks 10/7/23, Author Nizzan Cohen (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International).
WARNING: Graphic Images
The BBC in December 2023 confirmed that it had seen and heard credible evidence of the rape and mutilation of women by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel [1].
The overwhelming evidence of savagery included cuts, bruises, broken pelvises, and vaginal tears. Victims ranged in age from children and teens to retirees. The majority did not survive.
“[Many victims’ bodies were] found mutilated and bound, with sexual organs brutally attacked, and in some cases, weapons were inserted into them [2A]”.
The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel has now gathered evidence that there were identical patterns of sexual violence at multiple locations [2B]. Some rapes were committed in front of family and friends, to increase the pain and humiliation of victims and their loved ones. Gang rape followed by murder was not uncommon. Continue reading
Filed under Abuse of Power, Justice, Law, Politics, Rape, Terrorism, Violence Against Women
Japanese Reforms
Appeal board made by participants in Flower Demo, Tokyo, Japan (2020), Author Breaklily (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)
Sexual violence against women has historically been associated with shame and stigma in Japan. The laws were drawn in such a way as to excuse the behavior of male defendants, while simultaneously disregarding women’s rights.
At last, however, the country has raised the age of consent from 13 to 16 years, and redefined rape to include non-consensual intercourse [1]. Proof of force is no longer a prerequisite to conviction. Photo voyeurism (including upskirting) has, also, been criminalized.
These long overdue reforms were prompted by Flower Demo, a Japanese movement protesting sexual violence against women [2][3]. Those taking part carried flowers to reflect their empathy for victims.
Several scandalous rape cases brought attention to the issue, drawing public outrage. One involved a highly intoxicated woman. Another involved a 15 y.o. her assailant had held pinned to a wall. Still another involved incest ongoing for a period of years.
Sin Nature
Violence against women is a byproduct of the sin nature of mankind. It is perpetuated by an attitude that women are mere sex objects, by the use of disparaging sexist language, and by the glorification of sexual assault.
Rape, in this context, is not just a notch on the assailant’s belt. It is an act of machismo, proof of masculinity (albeit toxic).
Any shame associated with the act is displaced to the victim.
This is not what God intended. When He created men and women, He created them as equals.
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[1] BBC, “Japan redefines rape and raises age of consent in landmark move” by Kelly Ng, 6/16/23, https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-65887198.
[2] Wikipedia, “Flower Demo”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flower_Demo.
[3] Zenbird, “Flower Demo, the protests battling Japan’s sexual violence against women” by Kirsty Kawano, 11/25/20, https://zenbird.media/flower-demo-the-protests-battling-japans-sexual-violence-against-women/.
FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com
Rape as a Weapon
Protester holding sign which reads: “Don’t Kill Us!”
Photo: ROCIO VAZQUEZ/AFP via Getty Image
WARNING: Graphic Images
Rape is being used as a weapon in Mexico against women and girls protesting femicide and other gender violence [1]. Women who dress in black or cover their faces – even as a hygiene measure against COVID-19 infection – are viewed as suspect.
Femicide in Mexico
The World Health Organization defines femicide as the intentional murder of women because they are women.
Nearly 3500 femicides were committed in Mexico in 2019 alone [2]. Approximately 10 women are killed everyday by strangulation, suffocation, stabbing, and drowning. Some 93% of crimes are either not reported or not investigated.
The inaction of Mexico toward this situation has drawn criticism from around the world.
Media Demonization
Women taking part in protests have been demonized by the media. In this way, authorities have undermined the legitimacy of protest. To further assure that women know their place, law enforcement uses violence to punish women who dare to take to the streets.
Human Rights Violations
More than two years after a judgment in the case of Women Victims of Sexual Torture in Atenco v. Mexico by the Inter-American Court of Human Rights, Mexico has made little progress in preventing human rights violations against women demonstrators. Continue reading
Filed under Abuse of Power, domestic abuse, domestic violence, Justice, Law, Rape, Violence Against Women
ANNA WALDHERR A Voice Reclaimed, Surviving Child Abuse 