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| 29 Nov 2008 - 11:08 | CENDOC-MUJER
URL: www.cendoc-mujer.org.pe/atvc
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En esta sexta campaña en torno a la visibilizació n de la trata de mujeres, compartimos un artículo aparecido en el diario La República, que refleja el interés creciente de las mafias en reclutar niñas y adolescentes por ser los grupos más vulnerables.
Atentamente,
CENDOC-MUJER
www.cendoc-mujer.org.pe/atvc
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| 29 Nov 2008 - 10:51 | Reporte Alternativo
URL: www.chs-peru.com/reportealternativo/cont . . .
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Lanzan veeduría ciudadana sobre trata de personas, tráfico ilícito de migrantes y desaparecidos
Fuente : Inforegión
Fecha : 26/11/2008
Capital Humano y Social Alternativo, CHS, lanzará el día de mañana la veeduría ciudadana especializada en trata de personas, tráfico ilícito de migrantes y personas desaparecidas, iniciativa que busca ser un mecanismo por el cual las diversas instituciones de la sociedad civil realicen un seguimiento estricto a los casos de estas malas prácticas que se presentan en nuestro país.
Continua...
www.chs-peru.com/reportealternativo/contenido.php?v_pad=2& v_hij=15&v_pla=2&v_sal=2&v_cod=99&v_tip_ pub=N
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| 29 Nov 2008 - 10:29 | Globe and Mail
URL: www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RT . . .
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'Rough sex' was flat-out assault by life-long criminal, judge rules
From Thursday's Globe and Mail
November 27, 2008 at 4:09 AM EST
An Ottawa judge sentenced a career criminal to 18 months in jail yesterday for perpetrating a sexual attack on his unconscious partner during a so-called 'rough sex' session.
In a ruling that bristled with outrage, Ontario Court Judge Dianne Nicholas said that the defendant - identified as J.A. - is dangerous, incorrigible and presents a continuing threat to his partner and their young son.
The woman's hands were tied behind her back during the assault, and a dildo was inserted into her anus while she was unconscious. Her evidence was that she had agreed to being choked, which led to her losing consciousness during intercourse.
However, far from being a case of two consenting adults exploring an adventurous side of their sexuality, the case was a flat-out assault on a battered woman by a chronically dangerous man, Judge Nicholas said yesterday.
"The absence of consent is obviously quite aggravating," she said. "He used her unconscious body for sexual gratification in a manner that I, and other judges, have concluded was degrading.
"Her evidence that she consented to it - or was okay with it - when she regained consciousness has no bearing. There is no implied consent to sexual activity. It is a criminal activity to engage in sexual activity with a person who is unconscious."
Judge Nicholas ordered J.A. to serve two years on probation after his jail term and prohibited him from having contact with the victim. "This relationship has for many years been dangerous and dysfunctional," she observed.
She also ordered that J.A. may see his son only under supervised access.
"There is not a single mitigating factor," Judge Nicholas said. "His prospects for rehabilitation are dim. He is not genuinely remorseful and does not sincerely accept responsibility. He is a life-long criminal and a deviant and dangerous man...I am alarmed at the complainant's desire to have him co-parent their son."
Crown counsel Mihael Cole said in an interview yesterday that the sentence "sends out a strong message, denouncing violence and the degradation of women.
Among J.A.'s 23 previous criminal convictions are three for domestic violence - including twice against his current partner. In one of these assaults, he kicked in her door, attempted to hit her with a wine bottle and called her a "whore, bitch, skank."
"He presents a clear and present danger to the complainant and her child," Judge Nicholas concluded.
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| 29 Nov 2008 - 10:14 | UNAIDS
URL: womenandaids.unaids.org/themes/docs/UNAI . . .
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Violence Against Women and AIDS
UNAIDS document
womenandaids.unaids.org/themes/docs/UNAIDS%20VAW%20Brief.pdf
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| 28 Nov 2008 - 19:22 | Debby
debbygirl177@hotmail.com
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Hola! en mi caso es mi tia la que esta siendo abusada. Ella ha estado casada aproximadamente por 20 años con 3 hijos; durante ese tiempo su esposo ha sido arrestado por abuso sexual a menores de edad pero, ella lo defendio y dijo que habia sido culpa de la menor. Ahora El mantiene una relacion fuera de el matrinonio. Cuando mi tia le reclamo, El la golpeo muy fuertemente dejandole moretones y puso al perro de la casa a lamerle la cara, despues de eso ella lo perdono pero el nunca termino con la otra relacion. Ahora ella pasa deprimida y dice que se quiere divorciar y que no lo hace por los niños. Yo considero que ella esta muy sometida a El y que solo busca excusas para no dejarlo. Para mi es muy dificil darle algun consejo a ella o decirle donde puede buscar ayuda. Mi mama lo hace pero creo que no usa la manera correcta. Mi tio puso un seguro de vida alto al nombre de ella y quiere que mi tia ponga todos las propiedades al nombre de los niños. Tengo mucho miedo por ella y quiero ayudarla pero parece que ella quiere y no quiere seguir en ese estilo de vida. Que puedo hacer?
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| 28 Nov 2008 - 19:18 | Cotidiano Mujer
cotidian@cotidianomujer.org.uy
URL: www.cotidianomujer.org.uy/
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LLAMADO A CONCURSO DE ENSAYOS
“Los desafíos feministas en América latina”
La Revista COTIDIANO MUJER de la Articulación Feminista MARCOSUR con el apoyo de UNIFEM convoca a un concurso de ensayos a jóvenes mujeres de cualquier país de América latina.
Bases
Los ensayos deberán abordar una o varias de las preguntas formuladas a continuación:
• ¿Cuáles son los desafíos feministas en la región?
• ¿Cómo se ubican y qué aportan al horizonte feminista ya ganado, las nuevas voces feministas del siglo XXI?
• ¿Qué desafíos platean al movimiento, las diferentes identidades (afro, lesbianas, indígena, etc.)?
• ¿Qué obstáculos identificas, para el desarrollo del movimiento feminista?
- Podrán presentarse mujeres de hasta 30 años, de cualquier país de América Latina.
- Los trabajos deberán reflejar una reflexión original y constituir un aporte al pensamiento feminista latinoamericano.
- No deberán exceder las 10 páginas A4 en letra Arial 12 a espacio sencillo.
- Los trabajos podrán presentarse en castellano y portugués en versión electrónica a cotidian@cotidianomujer.org.uy , o por correo postal en CD (siempre la versión debe ser electrónica) a San José 1436 Montevideo – Uruguay CEP 11.200.
- Los trabajos enviados por correo electrónico deberán indicar exclusivamente el seudónimo, indicando en el asunto Concurso “Los desafíos feministas en América Latina”.
- Se deberá enviar por vía postal: el nombre, la edad y organización a la que pertenece (en caso de tenerla) correspondiente al seudónimo del trabajo presentado.
- El plazo para presentar las propuestas vence el lunes 2 de febrero, 2009.
Premio
Se otorgará un premio al mejor trabajo consistente en una beca completa, pasaje y estadía al XI Encuentro feminista Latinoamericano y Caribeño a realizarse en México en marzo 2009.
Los 5 mejores trabajos seleccionados serán publicados en la Web www.mujeresdelsur.org.uy
En premio no es monetario sino una oportunidad para participar del evento, en caso de que la persona no pueda viajar se le dará la oportunidad al segundo premio del Concurso.
Jurado
El Jurado estará integrado por Virginia Vargas de Perú, Lucy Garrido y Lilian Celiberti de Uruguay
Los resultados serán comunicados el día 20 de febrero 2009 en la página web: www.mujeresdelsur.org.uy y a la lista de correos de las concursantes.
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| 28 Nov 2008 - 19:02 | Global Sisterhood Network
URL: www.global-sisterhood-network.org/conten . . .
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Global Sisterhood Network's
Collection of articles on this years Nov.25 International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
See:
www.global-sisterhood-network.org/content/category/1/178/59/
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| 28 Nov 2008 - 18:32 | mariana
brandob207@hotmail.com
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hola mi nombre es mariana, soy de channelview tx. y escribo por que me case con un americano hace 3 anos y me maltrata y dice que nunca voy a tener a nadie que me escuche. porque que soy indocumentada legalmente estoy casada con el., mi temor de llamar a la policia es que debo un tikect de trancito y el no meda para pagarlo., se que no me falta de comer pero prefiero no comer ( para que no me maltrate mas )
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| 27 Nov 2008 - 19:36 | Carolina Ruiz Torres
carolinaruizt@yahoo.es
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INVITACIÓN CONFERENICA "CRIMEN PASIONAL" El feminicidio encubierto
“La Maté porque la Amaba”
CONFERENCIA
“CRIMEN PASIONAL”
El feminicidio encubierto
Día Lunes 1 de diciembre de 2008
Hora 5:30 p.m.
Lugar Facultad de Ciencias Sociales
Auditorio de “Ciencias Sociales-PUCP”
(antes J-101)
Programa:
6:00
Video “Te doy mis ojos”
6:15
“Amores que matan: Un acercamiento al feminicidio en el Perú” (Jimena Sánchez)
“Licencia para matar. El Feminicidio y el discurso jurídico” (Cecilia Reynoso)
“La tensión entre lo antiguo y lo moderno de la violencia” (Pilar Aguilar)
“Feminicidio: sobre el uso legítimo de la violencia” (Jaris Mujica)
8:00
“Crimen Pasional”
Ponencia Magistral de Myriam Jimeno (Colombia)
INGRESO LIBRE
dptoccss@pucp.edu.pe
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| 27 Nov 2008 - 08:11 | Byron Hurt
URL: www.bhurt.com
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Redefining Black Masculinity
Ten Minute Video
Manhood, Power, and Respect
www.bhurt.com/
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| 26 Nov 2008 - 20:33 | CIMAC noticias
URL: www.cimac.org.mx
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Rosalba Núñez, de Redes Nacionales de Refugios,
Detener violencia hacia mujeres implica aplicar la ley
Por Dora de la Cruz García/corresponsal
Cd Victoria, Tams, 26 nov 08. (CIMAC).- El feminicidio está vinculado con la violencia familiar y es la reacción de algunos hombres porque la mujer está ejerciendo su libertad, opinó Rosalba Núñez, subdirectora de Redes Nacionales de Refugios de Mujeres en el país, al señalar que parar el maltrato hacia las mujeres tiene que ver con exigir a los gobiernos aplicar la ley de igualdad y equidad.
Dijo que la violencia y la muerte son parte de las estadísticas de los casos de violencia familiar, que tienen que prevenirse, porque el proceso de empoderamiento de las mujeres, en ámbitos que se decía era solo para hombres, y el ejercicio de la libertad, están vinculados al comportamiento de extrema agresividad de algunos hombres.
Consideró necesaria la participación de los medios de comunicación para difundir las leyes y códigos penales que previenen y castigan la violencia hacia las mujeres, porque es la única forma de que pueda romper con los círculos de violencia, a través de la denuncia y exigiendo a las autoridades aplicar la ley.
La especialista señaló que romper con el modelo tradicional masculino es fundamental para romper con falsas creencias de los roles de género, que han provocado esta cultura machista que hace daño a toda la sociedad.
Rosalba Núñez estuvo en esta ciudad para impartir el taller “Masculinidades”, dirigido a servidores públicos, organizado por el Instituto de la Mujer Tamaulipeca, para sensibilizar a las mujeres sobre la necesidad de romper con la cultura machista que afecta las relaciones de pareja y en la función pública.
La expositora pidió a los servidores públicos romper con las falsas creencias de que los hombres valen más que las mujeres y a promover, desde la función pública, la igualdad entre mujeres y hombres, porque es la única forma para el cambio de la sociedad igualitaria.
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| 26 Nov 2008 - 19:50 | bertha
cendejas_espinoza_betty@hotmail.com
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hola...que tal mi nombre es Bertha ..lees escribo con el motibo de que he sido victima de violensia domestica...,y la verdad es de que e andado de un lugar en otro desde el primero de septiembre de este ano 2008 y pues la verdad no mesiento muy comoda en las casas de mis hermanas puesto que tengo una hija veses ase cosas que no lesparesen verdad por favor llamen por telefono o escriban a mi correo electronico aver donde puedo buscar ayuda yo vivo en martinez ca..,muchas grasias por su atenccion Atte.Bertha
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| 26 Nov 2008 - 19:44 | Randy McCall, Victim Assistance Online
info@vaonline.org
URL: www.vaonline.org
|
The following are this week's updates to VAOnline.org's sites:
On our main site, the following links were added:
http://www.vaonline.org/new.html
- SASSCOM MediaWatch (Blog, USA)
- Online "Predators" and Their Victims: Myths, Realities, and Implications
for Prevention and Treatment (USA)
- Student Victimization in U.S. Public Schools: Results from the 2005
School Crime Supplement to the National Crime Victimization Survey (USA)
The following posts were made to the VAOnline.org Fusion Blog:
http://vaonlinefusion.blogspot.com/
- University of Virginia condemned for silencing student rape victims (USA)
- Accused murderer, mentally incompetent, threatens stalking charges after
one call from survivor (Australia)
- Victims not informed of eligibility for compensation (UK)
- DV victim goes public during trial (USA)
These items were added to our Twitter Mini-news feed:
http://twitter.com/vaonline
- (USA) Georgia high court finds mandatory life term for failure to register
unconstitutionally excessive
- (Taipei) Non profit combats domestic violence with new network in Taipei
- (Canada) Ontario to treat violation of restraining order as crime
- (USA) GPS technology doubles as crime-fighting tool
- (Ireland) Judge questions role of victims' statements
- (Canada) Quebec group wants help for crime victims
Randy McCall
-------------------------------------
Victim Assistance Online
info@vaonline.org
http://www.vaonline.org/
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| 25 Nov 2008 - 10:40 | Carolina Ruiz
carolinaruizt@yahoo.es
URL: www.femalesinfront.eu
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250 millones de mujeres en la UE ¿y ni una suficientemente buena?
Hola a todas!
Un grupo de parlamentarias europeas ha puesto en marcha una web para recoger firmas solicitando que haya mujeres en los puestos de liderazgo de la Unión Europea.
Os pongo aquí el enlace y os animo a firmar:
http://www.femalesinfront.eu
La información está traducida a muchos idiomas, no es sólo inglés.
Un saludo,
Laura Viñuela
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| 25 Nov 2008 - 10:20 | converhencia de mujeres socialistas
inventario_1917@yahoo.com.ar
URL: www.cs.org.ar
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25 de noviembre, un día de lucha: ¡ALTO A LA VIOLENCIA CONTRA
Mar, 25 de Nov, 2008 6:12 am
25 de noviembre, un día de lucha:
¡ALTO A LA VIOLENCIA CONTRA
LAS MUJERES!
Todas/as frente a Gobernación, a partir de las 18,30 horas,esquina Santa Fe y Dorrego, concentramos
a las 19 hs en plaza Pringles y Marchamos a Córdoba y San Martín.
Convocamos a todas las organizaciones estudiantiles, gremiales, de derechos humanos, feministas, de mujeres, piqueteras, políticas y sociales y a todas las personas que levanten la defensa de los derechos de las mujeres a
poner en pie una gran movilización para este martes 25 de noviembre, independiente de las Iglesias, los gobiernos y todos los sectores patronales:
·
Basta de
violencia contra las mujeres! Cárcel a los violadores y a sus encubridores.
Libertad a Romina Tejerina. Absolución definitiva de Eli Díaz. Cárcel a los
asesinos de Daniela Spárvoli, de Sandra Cabrera y de todas las victimas.
·
Desmantelamiento
de las redes de prostitución. Aparición con vida de todas las mujeres, niñas y
niños desaparecidos. Recuperación de la identidad de los niña/os nacida/os en
el cautiverio de la esclavitud sexual.
·
Educación sexual,
Anticoncepción gratuita y Aborto legal. Separación de la iglesia del estado.
·
No a la
heterosexualidad obligatoria.
·
No a los despidos
y suspensiones.
·
Trabajo en
condiciones dignas con cobertura social y 82% móvil. Igual remuneración por
igual trabajo.
·
Abajo la violencia
institucional contra las que luchan por sus tierras, sus viviendas y los
derechos a la salud y la educación.
25 de noviembre
19 hs -
Marcha de Plaza Pringles a Córdoba y San
Martín.
Prensa Greta Roquero / (0341) 156838170
convergencia de mujeres socialistas
www.cs.org.ar
www.docenteslomas.blogspot.com
msn: inventario_1917@yahoo.com.ar
www.cs.o rg.ar
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| 25 Nov 2008 - 10:03 | patricia flores
gaby_flo07@hotmail.com
|
hola ! soy una mujer inmigrante en los ee.uu eh sufrido de violencia domestica cuando estaba enbarazada me faltaban 10 dias para tener a mi bebe . el fue preso yo llame al 911 el salio . yo bolvi con el pensando que cammbiaria si ya no me pega pero cuando el es muy agrsivo con migo
* el me amenasa con llamar para que me deporten el es ciudadano americano y la verdad no me da miedo regresar a mi pais pero no quiero que me alejen de mi hija . el y yo vivimos con su hermana pero ese es otro problema por ke ellos me tratan bien pero en el fondo ella se quiere quedar con mi hija ella no puede tener hijos y ella siempre dice te la voy a robar y cosas asi ellos me ayudan mucho pero eso no me gusta haora estoy embarazada de nuevo tengo 5 meses y lo pero de todo es que me esta afectando mucho por ciento el miedo mi cuerpo me tiembla aunque el no pelee solo pasa cuando el tiene esa actitud agresiva y solo empieso a llorar . la verdad no se que hacer eh escuchado que lo que pasa es que etoy en una relacion emfermisa . espero ke alguen lea mi mensaje y pueda darme un consejo .
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| 25 Nov 2008 - 09:59 | Battered Mother's Custody Conference
URL: www.batteredmotherscustodyconference.org
|
The Sixth Annual Battered Mothers Custody Conference
January 9th, 10th, & 11th, 2009
(Friday evening, 6 p.m. - Sunday afternoon)
Albany, New York
Co-Sponsored by
National Family Court Watch Project
Coalition for Family Justice
NOW NYS
For additional details and to register online, go to
www.batteredmotherscustodyconference .org
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 23:43 | Perth Now
URL: www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,2 . . .
|
Australia
Disturbing attitudes to violence against women found
ONE in every three boys believes it is acceptable to hit girls and many children are routinely exposed to domestic violence, according to a survey.
The unprecedented survey of violence and attitudes shows one third of boys believe "it's not a big deal to hit a girl".
One in seven thought "it's OK to make a girl have sex with you if she was flirting".
The survey also shows one in four teenagers lives with violence at home, prompting calls for domestic violence education programs in schools.
The study, which reviewed data from the past seven years, including a survey of 5000 12 to 20-year-olds, found up to 350,000 girls aged between 12 and 20 – one in seven – had experienced sexual assault or rape.
Almost one third of girls in Year 10 had experienced unwanted sex.
The survey, An Assault on Our Future: The impact of violence on young people and their relationships, is released today by the White Ribbon Foundation, which campaigns to end violence against women.
Continues....
www.news.com.au/perth now/story/0,21598,24662215-5005370,00.ht ml
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 19:01 | USA TODAY
URL: www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2008-11-20- . . .
|
Budget cuts hamper abilities of prosecutors across U.S.
Tom Sneddon, interim director of the National District Attorneys Association, says budget cutbacks are hampering the abilities of procecutors to do their jobs.
By Donna Leinwand, USA TODAY
A sour economy is forcing sharp cuts in law-and-order budgets, district attorneys say, hampering their ability to prosecute criminals and secure appropriate sentences for some types of crimes.
The cuts include treating drug-related felony crimes as misdemeanors, dismantling specialty units that prosecute domestic violence and child abuse, and placing prosecutors and staff on unpaid leave to save money.
continues...
www.usatoday.com/news/nati on/2008-11-20-prosecutors_N.htm
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 16:19 | Cathy Nardo
cnardo@nsvrc.org
URL: www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/sexual-ass . . .
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National Sexual Assault Conference - Request for Proposals
The National Sexual Assault Conference is a two-and-a-half-day,
advocacy-based conference providing advanced training opportunities and information regarding sexual violence intervention and prevention. This
year's theme is Mentoring Our Movement.
September 9-11, 2009
Hilton Alexandria Mark Center
Alexandria, Virginia
The conference is relevant for:
* sexual violence prevention educators
* anti-sexual violence advocates
* counselors
* health care professionals
* law enforcement officers
* prosecutors
* social workers
* psychologists
* public health workers
The conference will provide a forum for dialogue on sexual violence
prevention and intervention and will offer advanced training and
professional growth opportunities. We look forward to your participation
in this national training opportunity in the Washington, D.C., area.
Call for Workshop Proposals
Workshop proposals will be accepted until 5:00 p.m. (EST), January 15, 2009.
Online Proposal Submission <http://www.meetingassistant.com/NSAC200 9/ >
Printable Proposal Submission
<http://www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/ sexual-assault/files/ProposalForm.pdf > (Adobe PDF document)
Printable Proposal Submission
<http://www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/ sexual-assault/files/ProposalForm.doc > (Word document)
We invite you to share your experience with efforts to prevent sexual assault and assist victims. We are most interested in professionals who have not only developed exciting programs, but also have a successful
track record in implementing those programs. Our workshop presenters will receive one free night of lodging and complimentary conference registration.
http://www.outreach.psu.edu/programs/sexual-assault/call-for-proposals.html
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 13:40 | admin
URL: groups.yahoo.com/group/CrimeVictimOrgNet . . .
|
A new yahoo group has been started for crime victim advocates including prosecutors to help provide a forum for networking and collaboration regarding a variety of issues pertaining to public safety and crime victim support.
Please feel free to share this new group information with victim
advocates in your area. The forum is open for postings regarding
education, training, job listings, legislation, resource requests and
more.
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CrimeVictimOrgNetwork/
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CrimeVictimOrgNetwork/>
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 10:06 | Karina
pdotor@yahoo.com
|
me separe de la persona con la que he vivido durante tres años, por que me golpeo en varias ocaciones y la vida que llevaba con el ya no era la misma de cuando iniciamos...........
*
* el siempre me decia que no lo volveria a hacer, pero siempre lo vovlvia a hacer........
*
* hoy llevo un mes desde que nos separamos, pero el no me deja en paz y me ha quitado a mi nina, fue a corte y consiguio una orden del juez donde dice que no me puedo llevar a mi nana solo la puede ver dos horas en la tarde
*
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 09:56 | Mujer
|
25 DE NOVIEMBRE: DÍA CONTRA LA VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO.
EN CONMEMORACIÓN DE ÉSTE DÍA MIRIADAS SE VUELVE A UNIR UN AÑO MÁS PARA CONDENAR LA VIOLENCIA DE GÉNERO Y SALE A LA CALLE.
LOS ACTOS PROGRAMADOS PARA EL MARTES 25 DE NOVIEMBRE SON:
- 12 MESAS INFORMATIVAS POR LAS CALLES DE HUELVA: Calles centricas, Centros comerciales, Zonas Comerciales, Hospital Juan Ramón Jiménez. Centros de Salud y la Plaza de las Monjas.( mañana y tarde)
- ENTREVISTAS en la Universidad de Radio y en distintas Emisoras de radio.( a lo largo de todo el día).
-FIRMA DEL COMPROMISO de todas las Entidades que luchan por erradicar esta lacra social. ( 18:00 H).
- ENTREGA DE FLORES a las Mujeres de Huelva." Una Mujer: Una Flor" Hermosas que hacen iluminar la vida. ( Al terminar la Firma del Compromiso).
Estos son nuestros actos esperamos la difusión y colaboración de todas/os.
ENVIA: MUJER
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 09:52 | Human Rights Watch
|
Human Rights Watch: Protect Domestic Workers from Violence
(New York, November 24, 2008) - Many migrant and domestic workers still face abuse and exploitation in Middle Eastern and Asian countries because governments have failed to adopt measures needed to protect them, Human Rights Watch said today ahead of the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women on November 25.
Few domestic workers have access to the justice system in the countries where they work, and even those who are able to make complaints of physical or sexual violence rarely receive redress, Human Rights Watch said.
"There are countless cases of employers threatening, humiliating, beating, raping, and sometimes killing domestic workers," said Nisha Varia, deputy director of the women's rights division of Human Rights Watch. "Governments need to punish abusive employers through the justice system, and prevent violence by reforming labor and immigration policies that leave these workers at their employers' mercy."
Millions of women from countries including Indonesia, Sri Lanka, the Philippines, and Nepal are domestic workers in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Singapore, Malaysia, and other countries throughout the Middle East and Asia. Most countries exclude domestic workers from protection under their labor laws, leaving domestic workers little remedy against exploitative work conditions.
Domestic workers are also at heightened risk of abuse because of restrictive immigration-sponsorship policies that link their visas to their employers. Employers control a worker's immigration status and ability to change jobs, and sometimes whether the worker can return home. Many employers exploit this power to confine domestic workers to the house, withhold pay, and commit other abuses.
Authorities receive thousands of complaints of labor exploitation or abuse each year. While most involve unpaid wages, food deprivation, and long working hours with no rest, a significant number allege verbal, physical, and sexual abuse. But many cases are never officially reported, due to domestic workers' confinement in private homes, lack of information about their rights, and employers' ability to deport them before they can seek help.
Some law enforcement authorities have begun to prosecute and punish abusive employers, although to varying degrees. In 2008 in Singapore, several employers have been convicted of beating domestic workers, receiving sentences ranging from three weeks to 16 years in prison. In mid-November, a man was sentenced in Malaysia to 32 years in prison for raping a domestic worker, and his wife received six years for abetting the crime.
But criminal justice systems often continue to expose abused domestic workers to further victimization and give them no - or only severely delayed - redress:
* In May 2008, a Riyadh court dropped charges against a Saudi employer who abused Nour Miyati, an Indonesian domestic worker, ignoring both the employer's confession and compelling physical evidence. Nour Miyati suffered daily beatings and was abused so badly that her toes and fingers were amputated after developing gangrene. During the three years of legal proceedings, she remained stuck in an overcrowded embassy shelter unable to work or return to her family in Indonesia. At one point, she also was sentenced 79 lashes for changing her testimony, though the sentence was later reversed.
* On November 27, 2008, a Malaysian judge is to announce the verdict in the four-year case against Yim Pek Ha, the employer of an Indonesian domestic worker, Nirmala Bonat. In 2004, images of Bonat's badly burned and injured body shocked Malaysians. Bonat also had to stay in an overcrowded embassy shelter for years without being allowed to work and had to defend herself from charges of inflicting the abuse herself.
"2008 marked a year of missed opportunities,'' Varia said. "While most governments have started to think about some level of reform, many of these discussions have stalled. Providing comprehensive support services to victims of violence, prosecuting abusers, and providing civil remedies are reforms that just can't wait."
Human Rights Watch recommends that, in order to curtail all forms of violence against migrant domestic workers, governments should:
* Abolish or reform immigration-sponsorship policies so that domestic workers' visas are no longer tied to their employers;
* Develop protocols and train law enforcement officials on how to respond to domestic workers' complaints appropriately, and how to investigate and collect evidence in such cases;
* Prosecute perpetrators of psychological, physical, and sexual violence;
* Expedite criminal cases involving migrant domestic workers, who must often wait for a resolution for several months or years while confined in a shelter, and ensure they have legal permission to work during the interim period;
* Create and widely disseminate contacts for confidential, fully staffed and toll-free hotlines to receive reports of abuses against domestic workers;
* Create comprehensive referral and support services, including health care, counseling, shelter, consular services, and legal aid.
Human Rights Watch Press release
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| 24 Nov 2008 - 09:36 | anon
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i WAS ARRESTED AND CONVICTED. THE POLICE NEVER EVEN TALKED TO ME OR GOT A STATEMENT FROM ME MY HUSBAND, COMES FROM A VERY ABUSIVE FAMILY AND IT IS SO INGRAINED IN HIM THAT HE CAN MANIPULATE ANY SITUATION TO HIS BENEFIT. HE CALLED THE POLICE ON ME WHEN I TOLD HIM I WAS LEAVING. I HAVE NO FAMILY AND HAVE ONLY WORKED FOR HIM. I AM NOT ALLOWED MONEY OF MY OWN. I HAVE 3 CHILDREN AND I CANT HAVE CUSTODY NOW. I DO NOT QUALIFY FOR ANY HELP. WHEN I WAS IN JAIL HE THREW AWAY ALL OF MY PERSONAL POSSESSIONS AND CLOTHES. THE COURTS DON'T CARE AND I WAS EVEN ARRESTED WITH 2 BLACK EYES AND STILL HAD TO GO TO JAIL, FOR PROVOKING HIM. I ENDED UP JUST STAYING IN JAIL BECAUSE HE WAS CALLINF MY PROBATION OFFICER AND THE POLICE EVERY TIME HE GOT UPSET WITH ME. THE SYSTEM IS NOT FAIR AND IF YOU DONT HAVE MONEY THERE IS NOT EVEN A PUBLIC DEFENDER TO HELP THE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE COURT HAS IT'S OWN PUBLIC DEFENDER. WHO DOES NOTHING. I WAS NEVER ALLOWED TO SPEAK ON MY BEHALF AND IN THE END PLEAD QU ILTY. SO I COULD GET OUT OF JAIL. I WAS THERE FOR 45 DAYS FIRST TIME THEN DID 7 MOS TO TERMINATE MY PROBATION. THE COURT JUST WANTS NUMBERS TO SHOW THAT THEY ARE CRACKING DOWN. I AM TRAPPED AND EVEN MORE OF A VICTOM THAN BEFORE WITH NO HOPE
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