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| 07 Jun 2009 - 20:00 | IPS Gender Wire
URL: ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47097
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RIGHTS-CUBA: "Going to the Police Never Crossed My Mind"
By Patricia Grogg
Mercedes Toyo with her sisters Esperanza and Beatriz.
Credit:Patricia Grogg/IPS
HAVANA, Jun 4 (IPS) - Mercedes Toyo has finally started to smile again after many years of tears and violence. But the bad memories linger. "Now I’m being courted by a 50-year-old man who tells me I’m too wary, that I don’t let anyone get too close," she told IPS in the living room of her house.
Her story is no different than that of other battered wives or girlfriends. While gender equality and the protection of the family are guaranteed by the constitution and a number of laws in Cuba, abuse that occurs in the privacy of the home is more often than not shrouded by a cloak of fear and prejudice, and goes unreported and unregistered in the statistics.
Continues...
ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47097
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| 07 Jun 2009 - 19:45 | Amecopress
URL: www.amecopress.net/spip.php?article2226
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La Constitución lo garantiza, Gobierno lo cuestiona
Las mexicanas no consideran la maternidad como obligación
La tasa de fecundidad ha bajado del 7 en los años 60 al 2,1 en la actualidad
Internacional, Salud reproductiva,
por Gladis Torres Ruiz, Guadalupe Gómez Quintana
México DF, 4 de junio 09. AmecoPress/CIMAC.- En México, casi de 6 de cada 10 embarazos no son deseados o planeados, dice la Encuesta Nacional de Salud Reproductiva (2003) y se calcula que cada año aproximadamente 120 mil mujeres buscan tratamiento en los hospitales públicos por complicaciones causadas por el aborto clandestino: varias mueren, pero son más las que no llegan y fallecen.
Detrás de esas muertes por abortos clandestinos está, señalan organizaciones feministas e instituciones académicas, la falta de educación sexual y la demanda insatisfecha de anticoncepción, falla de estos métodos, carencia de servicios médicos, rechazo y estigma social, pobreza, elevado número de hijas e hijos, violación, incesto.
Pese a la penalización judicial, al estigma y el miedo, arriesgaron su vida en abortos clandestinos, evitables si todo lo anterior no hubiera sido un obstáculo para ejercer un derecho garantizado en el Artículo 4º de la Constitución mexicana: decidir el número y espaciamiento de hijas e hijos.
Su “no” a la maternidad no es un hecho aislado, sino tendencia: la tasa global de fecundidad en el país está en 2.1 hijas e hijos por mujer, en contraste con los 7 que tenía a finales de los años 60, señala Naciones Unidas, lo que coincide con la tendencia mundial.
Tampoco es un fenómeno nuevo: desde 1964, la Encuesta Demo-Sociológica Familia y reproducción en el DF, realizada por la UNAM reveló que había una proporción importante de mujeres que no desean más hijas o hijos y que estaban interesadas en saber más sobre uso de métodos anticonceptivos.
Continua....
www.amecopress.net/spip.php?article2226
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| 07 Jun 2009 - 19:09 | Colorado Springs Gazette
URL: www.gazette.com/articles/child-55956-car . . .
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For some families, system to protect children comes up short
DEBBIE KELLEY
THE GAZETTE
Since December, Kiddelina Stafford, a 32-year-old single mother of four, has been working the government system that's designed to protect children, but she says the system has not been working for her.
It took five months and dogged persistence on her part before the Colorado Department of Human Services and local police took the type of action Stafford thought was warranted after her 7-year-old son received facial bruising and a bloody lip while at a local day care center.
"Everyone dropped the ball, and I'm so enraged. I want an overhaul of the system because it doesn't work," said Stafford.
Continues...
www.gazette.com/articles/child-55956-care-police.html
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| 07 Jun 2009 - 18:45 | Women's e-news
URL: www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/ . . .
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Medical Students Fill Survivor Role for Dr. Tiller
By K. Aleisha Fetters
WeNews correspondent
Medical Students for Choice has been working since 1993 to support abortion providers and medical students seeking training. This past week, public expressions of mourning for Dr. George Tiller have flooded it with donations.
(WOMENSENEWS)--Shannon Connelly sat down to brunch last Sunday morning, ready for a peaceful meal of pancakes.
Instead, she got a phone call from her former Planned Parenthood boss.
Dr. George Tiller, the well-known Kansas abortion provider and a personal associate and mentor of Connelly, had just been fatally shot at his church.
"I was shocked, devastated," said Connelly, a fourth-year medical student at the University of Southern California, Los Angeles. She's also a board member of Medical Students for Choice, a Philadelphia-based network of more than 10,000 medical students and abortion providers across the United States and Canada.
Connelly met Tiller about two years ago and had spoken with him last month.
"I had sincerely hoped the assassination of abortion providers was a thing of the past," Connelly said.
A group of pro-choice medical students started Medical Students for Choice in the spring of 1993, a few months after Dr. David Gunn, a Florida abortion provider, became the first in a string of doctors to be killed by violent attacks on U.S. abortion clinics. Now, after the first murder of an abortion provider in more than 10 years, Medical Students for Choice promises that the killing has strengthened its resolve to ensure that all women have a full spectrum of reproductive options.
Fate Worse Than Death
Continues...
www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/4035/context/cover/
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| 05 Jun 2009 - 20:58 | ana cecilia
anacmccormick@hotmail.com
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soy casada con un americano retidaro de la army,todo hiba bien hasta hace 2 anos el canbio conmigo,nada de sexo y eso no es lo importante,me agrde verbalmente y cada ves que tenemos una discucion me dice,tu eres bipolar y el no quiere que acudamos a recibir ayuda,pues dice mi esposa anterioir tbn era bipolar,y yo creo el no solo es biplar,si no tanbien es misogino,yo se que el quiere bajar mi autoestima y que yo me crea bipolar y todo lo que el dice,pero yo nunca sere su presa.ojala les sirva mi comentario gracias.
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| 05 Jun 2009 - 17:14 | Cathy Church
catcchurch@gmail.com
URL: domesticviolencenews.blogspot.com
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To keep everyone informed of the daily Intimate and Domestic Violence homicides in this country I created the blog Intimate and Domestic Violence Homicides in the News.
domesticviolencenews.blogspot.com/
It is a compilation of intimate violence homicides making the daily news from around the United States.
I also created a Google Map highlighting the geography of the killings. It packs a powerful vision impact.
The Google Map has a key: Red Flames equal multiple homicides followed by a suicide (ususally) Red Chart Figure equals Victim Murder followed by Killer's Suicide Red Exclamation Point equals Victim's Murder
Please take a look and if you think I missed any Intimate or Domestic Violence Homicides that have occured recently, please send me the link for inclusion.
I encourage you to use this blog for teaching and educating professions and students so they may help us eradicate this long-standing plague of historic proportions.
I wonder when society is going to realize intimate violence makes victims of us all.
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| 05 Jun 2009 - 08:09 | National Center on Domestic and Sexual Violence
URL: www.ncdsv.org/ncd_upcomingtrainings.html
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Upcoming Trainings and Events
Domestic Violence, Sexual Assault
See:
www.ncdsv.org/ncd_upcomingtrainings.html
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| 05 Jun 2009 - 07:51 | Center on Law and Globalization
URL: www.lexglobal.org/events/conferences/sex . . .
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An Interdisciplinary Colloquium
Sexual Violence as International Crime: Interdisciplinary Approaches To Evidence
June 16-18 2009, The Hague
Organized by:
Center on Law and Globalization of the University of Illinois College of Law and American Bar Foundation in cooperation with The Grotius Centre for International Legal Studies, Leiden University/Campus The Hague and International Victimology Institute Tilburg, Tilburg University
This Interdisciplinary Colloquium will focus on innovations and challenges of empirical and other evidence for the prosecution of cases of sexual violence.
This focus will include such aspects as the development of new kinds of social scientific, archival and medical data collection techniques; the development of evidence in relation to charges rangingfrom sexual slavery to crimes against humanity and genocide; and evidentiary and procedural differences involved in prosecuting sexual victimization in domestic versus international courts.
To meet the Colloquium’s goal offamiliarizing participants from different fields with the overlapping possibilities and challenges they confront in advocating and assisting in the prosecution of sexual victimization as international crime, the Colloquium will feature both plenary panels and working group sessions. Working group sessions will include social scientists, court and aid workers, medical personnel, psychologists, journalists, and activists. The Colloquium will seek to document practices that non-lawyers must confront in intervening in conflict situations that may result in legal action.
The Colloquium will have a distinct policy focus assessing the role of new kinds of social science evidence for criminal prosecutions. It will also determine the community-wide value of cases, for example, in contributions to post-conflict reconciliation and stabilization.
Registration:
Please registrer online at grotiuscentre@campusdenhaag.nl
More info:
www.lexglobal.org/events/conferences/sexual-violence-as-international-crime-
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| 05 Jun 2009 - 07:33 | Women Negotiating Peace
URL: vefsetur.hi.is/1325/
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Welcome to Women Negotiating Peace - International Conference in Reykjavík, Iceland 19-20 June 2009
The Icelandic Ministry for Foreign Affairs in cooperation with the University of Iceland is holding an international conference on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 in Reykjavík, 19-20 June 2009.
The conference’s main focus will be on the implementation of an important aspect of 1325: How to ensure that women are included in formal and informal peace processes. It will address current practices in structuring peace processes as well as obstacles to women's participation. It will seek to evaluate policy options for governments, international organisations and NGOs for promoting women's participation in and ownership of peace processes and post-conflict administration.
The United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on WOMEN, PEACE and SECURITY was a milestone in the history of the council.
The main focuses of resolution 1325:
- Increased women´s participation in decision making and peace processes
- Protection of women and girls in conflict zones
- Integration of gender perspectives and gender education into peacekeeping
The resolution stresses the importance of women´s participation in the peaceful resolution of conflict and peacebuilding. It also underlines women´s equal participation in all actions that maintain and promote peace and security.
This calls for a significant change in the process, evaluation, traditions and attitudes of individuals, institutions and UN member states.
The Women Negotiating Peace conference will address the fact that women remain largely excluded from peace processes in spite of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and seek practical proposals for improving the implementation of 1325.
Ten speakers with a strong commitment to resolution 1325 and extensive practical and/or theoretical experience of conflict zones and peace processes share with us their knowledge, experience, ideas and, hopefully, some practical proposals for improving the implementation of 1325. The format will include panels and interactive workshops.
The conference will be held in English.
We would greatly welcome your participation in the conference.
Information on registration, programme and list of speakers, along with practical information and accommodation suggestions, can be found on the left column of this website.
vefsetur.hi.is/1325/
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| 05 Jun 2009 - 07:21 | IPS Gender Wire
URL: ipsnoticias.net/nota.asp?idnews=92224
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MUJERES-COLOMBIA: Víctimas perennes de la trata de personas
Por Helda Martínez
María oculta el rostro y ofrece su testimonio.
BOGOTA, may (IPS) - La expresión triste de María* se mezcla con rabia, impotencia y mucho miedo. Es un miedo que no se le quita de encima pese a que ya pasaron cinco meses desde que logró escapar de sus captores en Estados Unidos, a donde la llevaron engañada con un falso contrato de trabajo.
Las contrataciones falsas son uno de los ganchos para atraer personas, en especial mujeres jóvenes para explotación sexual. Pero también son víctimas del tráfico hombres y mujeres de cualquier edad, usados bajo condiciones de esclavitud en distintos oficios.
En Colombia, el delito afecta anualmente, según los datos disponibles, a unas 70 mil personas, lo que la sitúa en el tercer lugar de América Latina, detrás de República Dominicana y Brasil.
En conjunto, América Latina es en la actualidad el nuevo destino destacado del tráfico humano, un puesto que Japón ocupó en la década de los 80 y España en la de los 90.
El secretario general de la Organización de las Naciones Unidas (ONU), Ban Ki-moon, urgió el 13 de este mes, en Nueva York, a que los países endurezcan las medidas contra lo que se llama la esclavitud del siglo XXI.
Ban pidió reducir la impunidad frente al escándalo de que cada año millones de personas sean compradas y vendidas como si fuesen ganado, y recordó que "la mayoría de las víctimas son mujeres y niños".
Colombia, por ejemplo, se convirtió en los últimos años en receptor de víctimas del delito, procedentes casi siempre de los vecinos Ecuador y Perú. Estados Unidos ha sido y es el principal receptor del tráfico de latinoamericanos con fines de explotación.
Continua....
ipsnoticias.net/nota.asp?idnews=92224
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| 04 Jun 2009 - 15:51 | Association for Women's Rights in Development
URL: www.awid.org/eng/Issues-and-Analysis/Iss . . .
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Sexual-Harassment Cases Plague U.N.
Source: The Wall Street Journal
02/06/2009 1:56 pm
The United Nations, which aspires to protect human rights around the world, is struggling to deal with an embarrassing string of sexual-harassment complaints within its own ranks.
Many U.N. workers who have made or faced accusations of sexual harassment say the current system for handling complaints is arbitrary, unfair and mired in bureaucracy. One employee's complaint that she was sexually harassed for years by her supervisor in Gaza, for example, was investigated by one of her boss's colleagues, who cleared him.
Cases can take years to adjudicate. Accusers have no access to investigative reports. Several women who complained of harassment say their employment contracts weren't renewed, and the men they accused retired or resigned, putting them out of reach of the U.N. justice system.
"No matter which way the cases go, they mishandle it," says George G. Irving, a former U.N. attorney who now represents clients on both sides of such cases.
U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has acknowledged that the system is troubled. "I fully share your concerns regarding sexual harassment and sex discrimination," he wrote in February to Equality Now, a women's rights group that had complained to him. "This scourge remains a high priority issue for me."
On July 1, the U.N. plans to make changes to its internal justice system for handling all employee disputes, including harassment complaints.
Yasmeen Hassan, an Equality Now attorney and former U.N. employee who met with Mr. Ban in December to discuss the issue, says she has "no faith" that the new system will be better, in part because complainants apparently still won't have access to investigative reports to help them with appeals.
Continues
www.awid.org/eng/Issues-and-Analysis/Issues-and-Analysis/Sexual-Harassment-Cases-Plague-U.N
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| 04 Jun 2009 - 15:05 | Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community
llitton@ispconsults.com
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WEBCAST
The Institute on Domestic Violence in the African American Community is pleased to offer a webcast on:
Healing Generations:
A Domestic Violence Curriculum
FEATURING:
Jeannette Raymond
Initiative for Violence-Free Families, Family & Children’s Service, State of Minnesota
Samuel Simmons, Jr.
Training and Curriculum Development Specialist, Healing Generations Curriculum
Dr. Oliver J. Williams
Executive Director, IDVAAC, University of Minnesota
DESCRIPTION:
100 Men Take a Stand is a community-based organization that focuses on ending intimate
partner violence in the African American community by fostering men's leadership and awareness
around the issue. 100 Men Take a Stand developed a healing curriculum for men who have
witnessed, perpetrated or been a victim of violence. The curriculum's tenets are based on the fact
that one must examine the wounds that have been created by past life experiences in order
to remove barriers that prevent truthful exploration and change of their own behavior. This
webcast will provide an overview of the curriculum's development, contents, and findings to date
from its piloting and discuss how it may be an emerging best practice for men who are reentering
the community from prison.
WHEN:
June 11, 2009 ~ Noon to 1:30 p.m. CST
REGISTRATION:
The webcast is free and open to the public. However, space is limited and registration is required.
To register go to http://register.webcastgroup.com/event/? wid=0730611094695 and follow the instructions.
Participants will need a computer that has audio capabilities and is connected to the Internet. If you have any questions, email Lauren Litton at llitton@ispconsults.com or
contact IDVAAC at 877- 643-8222.
This webcast is possible through the generous support of the
Minnesota Department of Corrections
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| 03 Jun 2009 - 12:56 | Amecopress/Cimac
URL: www.amecopress.net
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Coordinadora Española para el Lobby Europeo de Mujeres
Apoyo a la nueva Ley de aborto
España asume las recomendaciones del Consejo de Europa en materia de salud sexual y reproductiva
Madrid, 2 de junio. Redacción AmecoPress.- La Coordinadora Española para el Lobby Europeo de Mujeres considera que el anteproyecto de Ley Orgánica de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva y de la Interrupción Voluntaria del Embarazo aprobado ya por el Consejo de Ministros supone un avance fundamental en la consecución del derecho de toda mujer a decidir sobre su maternidad.
Las organizaciones que forman parte de CELEM se sienten satisfechas con el texto que próximamente aprobará el Parlamento español y que supondrá un hito histórico en nuestro país al regular la interrupción voluntaria del embarazo a través de una ley de plazos, combinada con un sistema de indicaciones y poniendo fin a la inseguridad jurídica que hasta ahora padecían las mujeres y los/las profesionales que las atendían.
La Coordinadora Española para el Lobby Europeo de Mujeres considera que con la futura Ley Orgánica de Salud Sexual y Reproductiva y de la Interrupción Voluntaria del Embarazo, España conquistará definitivamente un derecho fundamental para las mujeres y se situará por fin entre los países europeos más avanzados en materia de salud sexual y reproductiva, según recogen las recomendaciones del Consejo de Europa.
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| 03 Jun 2009 - 12:46 | IPS Gender Wire
URL: www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47070
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U.N. Women Peacekeepers in Short Supply
By Lydia Zemke
UNITED NATIONS, Jun 2 (IPS) - Even as U.N. peacekeeping operations in the world’s battle zones continue to expand, women soldiers, police and civilian support staff remain a small minority – something that sorely needs to change, U.N. officials say.
Today, there are more than 113,000 peacekeepers, including 90,000 military and police personnel, serving in 18 U.N. operations in four continents.
But women make up only eight percent of the U.N. police force and about two percent of the soldiers provided by member states. The ratio of women deployed as civilians in peacekeeping operations is higher, at 30 percent, but still not equally representative.
"Women bring a softer face to U.N. peacekeeping missions, one that is not about war fighting but about peacekeeping," Lt. Col. Carmen Estrella, special assistant to the U.N. deputy military advisor, told IPS. "We help women of these nations to understand and see that they have a voice and can be part of the peacekeeping process themselves, and that is what the U.N. is trying to promote."
"I’ve been in the army for 21 years, and I know women can do anything men can," she added.
Continues...
www.ipsnews.net/news.asp?idnews=47070
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| 03 Jun 2009 - 12:32 | Women of Color Network
jr@pcadv.org
URL: www.pcadv.org
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Cultural Competency, Sensitivities and Allies Training
(Violence Against Women)
August 5-7, 2009
Tucson, Arizona
The Women of Color Network (WOCN), in partnership with the Office on Violence Against Women (OVW), will conduct a Cultural Competency, Sensitivities and Allies Training this summer. The training will be held on
August 5-7, 2009, in Tucson, Arizona.
This training is intended for MAINSTREAM ADVOCATES including men and women
of majority populations who are seeking to serve as allies to Communities of Color, Women, LGBTQ, Elder, Native, Immigrants and Refugees populations.
WOCN is pleased to announce that we will pay travel and lodging for 10
NON-OVW FUNDED MAINSTREAM ADVOCATES, to join 40 MAINSTREAM OVW GRANTEES who receive training funds and are responsible for their own travel and lodging.
If you are interested in attending, please go to the registration links
below.
* If you are a MAINSTREAM OVW GRANTEE or work for an OVW funded program, you can apply with the following registration form - please read
instructions carefully: <http://pubs.pcadv.net/wocn/ovwallycultc omp.pdf >
http://pubs.pcadv.net/wocn/ovwallycult comp.pdf
* If you are a NON-OVW FUNDED MAINSTREAM ADVOCATE, you can apply with the following registration form - please read instructions and criteria carefully: <http://pubs.pcadv.net/wocn/nonovwcultco mp.pdf >
http://pubs.pcadv.net/wocn/nonovwcultc omp.pdf
Please note - No more than 2 persons per program may attend.
We look forward to receiving your participation! Contact Jody Rogers at
<mailto:jr@pcadv.org> jr@pcadv.org or 800-537-2238 with any questions.
In solidarity,
Women of Color Network
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| 03 Jun 2009 - 12:26 | Marisol Franco, California Latinas for Reproductive Justice
marisol.clrj@gmail.com
URL: www.clrj.org
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California Latinas for Reproductive Justice &
ACCESS present
Our Time is Now:
Advancing Reproductive Justice With Underserved Women and Communities
Policy Briefing
Co-Hosted with Assemblymember Kevin de León
Thursday,
June 11, 2009 ~ 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
State Capitol, Room 2040 ~ Sacramento, CA
Topics
Addressed Include:
Ø Strategies to Promote a Reproductive Health & Justice Policy Agenda
Ø Recent Research Findings concerning Latinas' Sexual and Reproductive Health
Ø Proposals to Address the Lack of Access to Vital Reproductive Health Services and Information for Low-Income Women & Women
of Color
Speakers Include:
Assemblymember
Kevin de León*
ACCESS/Women's Health Rights Coalition (ACCESS) Staff:
Destiny Lopez, Executive Director
Lupe Rodriguez, Program and Policy Director
California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ) Staff:
Rocio Córdoba, Executive Director
Ena S. Valledares,
Senior Research Coordinator
Marisol Franco, Policy & Advocacy Manager
R.S.V.P.
For more information or to RSVP, please contact:
Marisol Franco, CLRJ: (213) 626-2179,
marisol.clrj@gmail.com, or
Lupe Rodriguez, ACCESS: (510) 923-0822 ext. 15, lupe@whrc-access.org.
Please RSVP by Monday, June 8, 2009
A light lunch will be provided to registered guests
*Invited
California Latinas for Reproductive Justice (CLRJ)is a statewide policy and advocacy organization whose mission is to advance
California Latinas' reproductive health and rights within a social justice and human rights framework. CLRJ works to ensure that policy developments
reflect Latinas' priority needs, as well as those of their families and their communities.
ACCESS/Women's Health Rights Coalition (ACCESS)is
a statewide organization that connects California women to reproductive healthcare through a combination of direct services;
community education and mobilization; and policy advocacy. ACCESS builds the power of individuals and communities to demand dignity and health.
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| 03 Jun 2009 - 12:19 | Boletin e-mujeres
URL: www.e-mujeres.net/opinion/sobre-las-pala . . .
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Sobre las palabras del Cardenal Cañizares
01/06/2009
Teresa Mollá Castells
Y es que no se pueden callar cuando se trata de derechos para las mujeres. Les puede su dogmatismo y su intolerancia. Y como no podía ser de otro modo, me estoy refiriendo a las palabras que el Cardenal Cañizares pronunció esta semana relacionando los abusos a menores en escuelas católicas de Irlanda entre los años 50 y 80 con el aborto.
Cañizares, que es prefecto de la Congregación por el Culto Divino y la Disciplina de los Sacramentos, no dudó en arremeter contra la reforma de la ley del aborto que el Gobierno de Rodríguez Zapatero está llevando a cabo, atacando incluso la esencia de las libertades individuales de las mujeres, como lo es el hecho de poder tomar decisiones sobre su propio cuerpo y sobre su propia maternidad.
El hecho de relacionar estos dos temas tan delicados nos da una idea sobre la capacidad de tolerancia que estos señores de faldas largas y negra tienen sobre los actos penales que ellos mismos cometen contra personas indefensas como lo son los menores, en este caso irlandeses, de los que durante más de treinta años estuvieron abusando. Y utilizaron su influencia en los gobiernos de turno que legislaron sobre la impunidad de dichos actos para los presuntos agresores dejando en la más absoluta de las indefensiones a todos aquellos menores que, ni cuando llegaron a la mayoría de edad pudieron defenderse.
Pero además cuando este Ministro del Gobierno de Ratzinger, hace estas declaraciones, está negando derechos de ciudadanía a las mujeres españolas concretamente, puesto que contra quien arremete es contra la reforma de la ley en España. Y yo me pregunto: ¿Acaso las mujeres francesas, holandesas, suecas o de cualquier otra parte del mundo donde este tema esté legislado tienen bula?, ¿Acaso pretenden que el estado español siga siendo la “reserva espiritual de occidente” dejando sin derechos de ciudadanía a las mujeres?,
Continua...
www.e-mujeres.net/opinion/sobre-las-palabras-del-cardenal-canizares
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| 03 Jun 2009 - 11:55 | Psych_News
Psych_News@psychsearch. net
URL: www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfU9puZQKBY
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See Video here: http://gabrielmyers.wordpress.com/dcf-videos/
CBS
Fla. Foster Children On Psych. Meds
May 28, 2009
TALLAHASSEE - A new study from the Florida Department of Children and
Families showed proper authorization was not obtained for 16 percent of
Florida foster children who take anti-depressants and psychotropic
drugs. The study was ordered after a 7-year-old boy committed suicide in
Margate this year.
State records did not show the drugs he had been prescribed. The records
also showed required consent had not been obtained from the boy's
parents or a judge.
The report showed that a total of 2,699, or 13.2 percent, of Florida
children in out-of-home care have been prescribed at least one
psychotropic medications. 59 percent of those children are between the
ages of 13 and 17 years old.
73 children, or roughly 2.8 percent, who have been given psychotropic
drugs are under the age of 5.
State records also showed that for 16.2 percent of the 2,669 children
receiving psychotropic medicines, there was no authorization obtained.
DCF said it will be strengthening its reviewing of medications,
conducting a weekly conference call about psychotropic meds, and other
measures to better protect the children in foster care who receive
psychotropic medications.
_____
28,609 petition signatures
<http://www.petitiononline.com/TScreen/petition.html >
http://www.petitiononline.com/TScreen/petition.html
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RfU9puZQKBY
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| 03 Jun 2009 - 11:35 | Center for Judicial Excellence
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FAMILY COURT
DOMESTIC VIOLENCE FORUM
FREE COMMUNITY EDUCATIONAL SEMINAR
ROHNERT PARK COMMUNITY CENTER
5401 Snyder lane Rohnert Park, CA 94928
EVENTS
EVENTSEVENTS
June 5, 6, 7, 2009
Photo Exhibit of the People whom are affected by the family law system.
This event is open June 5, 6, 7, from 6:00-8:30 each night.
June 5, 2009 at 6:00 Speaker: Robin Yeamans, Certified Family Appellate Law Specialist
Topics: 1.) Family Court Psychological Custody Evaluations.
2.) Domestic Violence abuse in the custody context.
3.) There will be two power point presentations.
4.) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
June 6, 2009 at 6:00 Speaker: Marie De Santis; Women’s Justice Center
Topic: Domestic Violence and Family Court, Why family court
so often fails domestic violence victims and what we need to
do about it.
June 7, 2009 at 6:00 Speaker: Center for Judicial Excellence
They will show a documentary of our children at risk. Then we
will explore a closer look at problems and solutions of family
law. There will also be a panel discussion.
Co-Sponsored by National Organization for Women
& Center for Judicial Excellence
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 15:34 | National Organization for Women
URL: www.now.org/issues/abortion/reproductive . . .
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Sign the Pledge for Reproductive Freedom
Women across the country have lost a true champion. The cold-blooded murder of Dr. George Tiller in church this past Sunday is a stark reminder that women's bodies are still a battleground, and health care professionals are on the frontlines. We are angered. We are saddened. And we will not be silenced.
We must redouble our efforts to maintain safe and legal access to abortion and birth control. When you sign this pledge, you can choose to send a message to the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security and let them know that the murder and intimidation of abortion providers is domestic terrorism.
I sign this pledge and re-affirm my commitment to reproductive freedom for women!
I pledge to ...
Speak out: There's power in words. I won't use the words "pro-life" to describe anti-abortion groups, and I'll make an effort to write the editors of my local papers when they use the term. Murder is not pro-life.
Stay informed: I'll be aware of reproductive rights legislation in my state, including so-called "pharmacist conscience" laws designed to deny women access to birth control and emergency contraception and "fetal personhood" laws intended to criminalize both abortion and many forms of birth control. One way of staying informed is subscribing to NOW action alerts (you can sign up automatically through this pledge).
Get involved locally: I'll reach out to groups that provide clinic defense or escort services in my area, work for low-cost contraceptive access in my community, participate in a vigil in Dr. Tiller's honor, or get involved with my local NOW chapter.
Get involved online: I'll use Twitter, Facebook and blogs to connect with others across the country and worldwide working for reproductive freedom.
Signed,
Go to:
www.now.org/issues/abortion/reproductive-freedom-pledge.html
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 15:28 | Kim Gandy, National Organization for Women
URL: www.now.org
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NOW (National Organization for Women) Identifies Murder of Dr. George Tiller As Domestic Terrorism, Calls for Action from Justice Department and Homeland Security
Statement of NOW President Kim Gandy
June 1, 2009
Women across the country have lost a champion today. The cold-blooded murder of Dr. George Tiller this morning in church is a stark reminder that women's bodies are still a battleground, and health care professionals are on the frontlines.
This kind man and skilled doctor braved blockades, harassment, assault, and countless threats, including an attempted murder in 1993 when he was shot in both arms. He knew his life was in constant jeopardy, and that he would likely die at the hands of an anti-abortion terrorist -- yet he continued to protect his patients and provide safe and legal abortions to women in often-desperate circumstances. Those who are behind this murder may believe that the killing of George Tiller will mean that these women will have nowhere else to turn, but they are wrong. On the contrary, I believe their depraved acts will inspire another doctor to take up the torch, and another, and another.
Dr. Tiller's slaying is the most recent in a string of murders in the service of the anti-abortion cause, and hundreds of people have been injured or threatened because they provide legal abortion services. Bringing the killers to justice is not enough - the Justice Department and the Department of Homeland Security must root out and prosecute as domestic terrorists and violent racketeers the criminal enterprise that has organized and funded criminal acts for decades. We call on the new attorney general Eric Holder and head of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano to treat these murders in the same way they would treat politically-motivated domestic terrorism of any other kind and put the full resources of their two departments behind that effort.
Tomorrow will be a Day of Mourning for Dr. Tiller as well as a National Day of Commitment for all who believe abortion must remain both safe and legal -- who believe women have the right and indeed the moral obligation to make their own childbearing decisions. We urge individuals to wear white armbands all day tomorrow, Monday, June 1, in memory of Dr. Tiller and as a visible expression of determination to redouble our commitment to protecting the right to safe and legal birth control and abortion.
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 15:21 | NOW
URL: www.now.org/press/06-09/06-01.html
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NOW identifica asesinato del Dr. George Tiller como terrorismo nacional y exige acción de los Departamentos de Justicia y de Seguridad Nacional
Declaración de Kim Gandy, presidenta de la
Organización Nacional para las Mujeres (NOW)
1 de junio de 2009
Mujeres de todo el país perdimos un campeón este día. El asesinato a sangre fría del Dr. George Tiller, ocurrido esta mañana en su iglesia, es un crudo recordatorio de que los cuerpos de las mujeres todavía son un campo de batalla y que profesionales de cuidados de salud están en las líneas del frente.
Este médico generoso y preparado se enfrentó a asedio, hostigamiento, ataques e incontables amenazas, incluyendo un intento de asesinato en 1993, cuando recibió disparos en ambos brazos. Sabía que su vida estaba en peligro constante y que probablemente moriría a manos de un terrorista antiaborto. A pesar de ello, continuó protegiendo a sus pacientes y proporcionando abortos seguros y legales a mujeres que con frecuencia se encontraban en circunstancias desesperadas. La gente que está detrás de este asesinato tal vez crea que la muerte de George Tiller significa que esas mujeres ya no tendrán lugar alguno al cual acudir, pero se equivoca. Por el contrario, creo que los actos depravados de estas personas inspirarán a otro médico, y a otro, y a uno más, a tomar la antorcha.
El asesinato del Dr. Tiller es el más reciente en una serie de asesinatos al servicio de la causa en contra del aborto y centenares de personas han sido heridas o amenazadas porque proporcionan servicios legales de aborto. No basta con llevar a los asesinos ante la justicia. El Departamento de Justicia y el Departamento de Seguridad Nacional deben erradicar y enjuiciar como terroristas nacionales y extorsionistas violentos a los miembros de la empresa criminal que durante décadas ha organizado y financiado actos criminales. Exigimos al nuevo fiscal general, Eric Holder, y a la directora del Departamento de Seguridad Nacional, Janet Napolitano, que traten estos asesinatos de la misma forma en que lo harían con el terrorismo nacional por motivos políticos de cualquier otro tipo y destinen a ese esfuerzo todos los recursos de sus dos departamentos.
Mañana será un Día de Duelo por el Dr. Tiller, además de un Día Nacional de Compromiso para todas las personas que creemos que el aborto debe continuar siendo tanto seguro como legal -- que estamos convencidas de que las mujeres tienen el derecho y, de hecho, la obligación moral de tomar sus propias decisiones en lo que concierne a la reproducción. Llamamos a la gente a usar bandas blancas en los brazos todo el día de mañana, 1 de junio, en memoria del Dr. Tiller y como una expresión visible de la determinación de redoblar nuestro compromiso respecto a proteger el derecho al control de la natalidad y al aborto seguros y legales.
Texto original en inglés:
www.now.org/press/06-09/06-01.html
(traducido por Laura Asturius)
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 15:15 | Jewish Women's International
URL: www.jwi.org/site/c.okLWJ3MPKtH/b.5207705 . . .
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Teleconference:
Men’s Rights Groups’ Lawsuits Against Battered Women’s Shelters
Join us for a teleconference
Thursday, June 18, 2009
12:00 – 1:00 p.m. Eastern Time
REGISTER NOW
No charge for members, $25 for non-members
Each participant is required to pre-register.
You may not be aware that there have been multiple lawsuits brought by anti-feminist “men’s rights” groups against battered women’s shelters and the state agencies that fund them in the United States. Each of these lawsuits essentially claims “reverse discrimination” in services tailored to battered women, alongside the often-repeated assertion that women are as violent as men.
Although most of these cases have failed completely, one recent case in California was partly successful. Whether successful or not, these lawsuits drain time and money from service providers and states.
This teleconference will explain the history and nature of the lawsuits and the legal concept of Equal Protection at their core. You will learn how to protect yourself against such lawsuits without compromising the quality and integrity of services you already provide, and which resources you can draw upon in the event of a lawsuit in your state.
Agenda:
Overview of the problem
Understanding the Equal Protection Clause
American Law Suits brought by Men’s Rights Groups
Minnesota
California (2)
Maine
West Virginia (in process)
Implications, how to protect yourselves, resources
Leading the discussion:
Dr. Molly Dragiewicz is Assistant Professor of Criminology, Justice & Policy Studies at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology in Canada. She has published articles about the anti-feminist fathers’ rights movement and the California equal protection lawsuit. Dr. Dragiewicz is currently writing a book about the first equal protection lawsuit against battered women’s shelters in Minnesota.
Nancy Lemon, J.D., is a UC Berkeley Law lecturer, and leading authority on domestic violence for more than 20 years. She is an advocate and practicing attorney working with victims, police, public agencies and community organizations. She has drafted legislation for victims of domestic violence their children and immigrant women. Ms Lemon wrote the first textbook on Domestic Violence and the Law. She was recently selected to receive an Outstanding Women of Berkeley Award.
Who should attend?
This comprehensive and innovative learning experience is for attorneys • social workers • therapists • DV service providers and advocates • children's advocates • child protection workers • child abuse service providers • professional and scholars who work on intimate partner violence, child abuse, child custody, or family law policy • physicians • nurses • physician assistants • nursing and medical students • practicing healthcare providers • school personnel • family court evaluators.
Co-sponsored by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), the largest membership organization of professional social workers in the world with 152,000 members and 56 chapters in the United States and abroad. One CE contact hour is available for social workers for $10; instructions will be given on the call.
Non-members are welcome to participate for a $25 fee per teleconference. If you join the Alliance, your membership fee will cover the cost of Alliance teleconferences through June 2010.
Phone lines are limited – please register early. While JWI pays the bridge fee for the call, all participants are responsible for their individual long distance charges.
More Info:
www.jwi.org/site/c.okLWJ3MPKtH/b.5207705/k.B67B/June_18_2009_Men8217s_Rights_Groups8217_Lawsuits_Against_Battered_Women8217s_Shelters.htm
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 09:42 | Womens enews
URL: www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/ . . .
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COMMENTARY
Beware 'Lone Nut' Theory in Tiller's Murder
By Frederick Clarkson - WeNews commentator
Editor's Note: The following is a commentary. The opinions expressed are
those of the author and not necessarily the views of Women's Enews.
(WOMENSENEWS)--It's been more than a decade since I've covered a murder
of an abortion provider.
But I can't say I was surprised by the horrifying news of Dr. George
Tiller's killing this past Sunday, on his way to church.
The threat has been ever present, sometimes quietly, sometimes
dramatically. Abortion providers and abortion rights organizations
remember well how Clayton Waagner spent nine months threatening to shoot
clinic workers and mailing anthrax threats to hundreds of clinics and
abortion rights organizations in 2001-2002.
Now, newsgathering on Tiller's murder is intense and there is much that
can't be known about the circumstances.
But as the coverage unfolds those searching for clear-cut justice at the
end of this ghastly murder shouldn't hold their breath.
Political crimes like the assassination of Tiller are messy affairs.
That has certainly been true in the case of the 30-year history of
antiabortion bombings, arsons and assassinations, some of which,
including the Clayton Waagner capers, I have covered for Women's eNews in the past.
Media coverage of these crimes over the years, has tended to be partial and not particularly well informed. But times have changed and we are
already experiencing a deluge of mainstream press and blog coverage.
Here are a few things to help sort through the likely frustrations of an
investigation of a political crime in a white hot media environment
Beware the 'Lone Nut' Theory
Continues...
www.womensenews.org/article.cfm/dyn/aid/4030
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 09:28 | Lancet
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Editors' note: This study documents that sexual violence against female children is a substantial problem in Swaziland and that such violence has serious health consequences. In a self reporting survey of 1900 households, one in three females reported that they had experienced some form of sexual violence as a child. But this study is more than a prevalence study. It also describes and documents many of the circumstances and conditions under which sexual violence tends to occur. These patterns provide important information about how to target and organize prevention strategies and policies.
Sexual violence and its health consequences for female children in Swaziland: a cluster survey study
Original TextAvid Reza MD a , Matthew J Breiding PhD a, Jama Gulaid PhD b, James A Mercy PhD a, Curtis Blanton MS a, Zodwa Mthethwa MA b, Sapna Bamrah MD a, Linda L Dahlberg PhD a, Mark Anderson MD a
Summary
Background
Despite concern, few studies have been done about sexual violence against girls younger than 18 years of age in sub-Saharan Africa. We report the prevalence and circumstances of sexual violence in girls in Swaziland, and assess the negative health consequences.
Methods
We obtained data from a nationally representative sample of girls and women aged 13—24 years from selected households in Swaziland between May 15, 2007, and June 16, 2007, with a two-stage cluster design. The questionnaire examined demographics, type of sexual violence that took place before the respondent was 18 years of age, circumstances of the incident, and health-related conditions. Information was gathered from 1244 women and girls (response rate 96·3%), of whom 1242 provided retrospective responses to questions about sexual violence. We used regression models adjusted for relevant demographics to estimate the odds ratios for the associations between sexual violence and health-related conditions.
Findings
33·2% (95% CI 29·9—36·7) of respondents reported an incident of sexual violence before they reached 18 years of age. The most common perpetrators of the first incident were men or boys from the respondent's neighbourhood (32·3% [28·8—36·1]) and boyfriends or husbands (26·2% [22·2—30·7]). The first incident most often took place in the respondent's own home (26·1% [21·6—31·2]). Sexual violence was associated with reported lifetime experience of sexually transmitted diseases (adjusted OR 3·69 [95% CI 1·78—7·66]), pregnancy complications or miscarriages (3·54 [1·47—8·55]), unwanted pregnancy (2·92 [1·87—4·55]), and self-report of feeling depressed (2·30 [1·70—3·11]).
Interpretation
Knowled ge of the high prevalence of sexual violence against girls in Swaziland and its associated serious health-related conditions and behaviours should be used to develop effective prevention strategies.
Funding
UNICEF.
Full Report:
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 08:36 | Comite Pro-Reparaciones para las Hermanas GonzÃlez de Chiapas
URL: www.hermanasgonzalez.org
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Instrucciones para Participar
en la Campaña como Organización o Persona
Estimados Compañeros/as en la lucha contra la violencia hacia las mujeres,
El Centro por la Justicia y el Derecho Interncaional (CEJIL), la Comisión Mexicana de Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos (CMPDH), Colectivo de Mujeres de San Cristóbal (COLEM), el Centro de Derechos de la Mujer de Chiapas, y el Comité Pro-Reparaciones para las Hermanas González de Chiapas hacemos de su conocimiento y al mismo tiempo solicitamos su colaboración para apoyar la lucha de las hermanas González.
Las hermanas González son tres mujeres indígenas tzeltales que fueron violadas por miembros del ejército mexicano en 1994 en uno los tantos retenes militares ubicados en Chiapas en esa época. Desde ese tiempo hasta hoy, junio de 2009, 15 años después, han librado una lucha legal por castigar a los culpables así como exigir el cumplimiento de las recomendaciones de la Comisión Interamericana de Derechos Humanos (CIDH) de la Organización de Estados Americanos, la cual en su informe publicado el 4 de abril de 2001 solicita investigar de manera completa, imparcial y efectiva a los autores de las violaciones, así como indemnizar a las hermanas González. Por ello, nuestra lucha como organizaciones de derechos humanos está enfocada a obtener el respaldo de otras organizaciones civiles y personas comprometidas, para presionar al Gobierno Mexicano.
El pasado 21 de mayo se celebraron las tres últimas diligencias pendientes, por lo que estamos en un momento crucial para presionar al gobierno mexicano desde las organizaciones civiles para que se cumplan las recomendaciones emitidas por la Comisión Interamericana de investigar y sancionar a los responsables y de reparar el daño a las víctimas.
El apoyo puede brindarse de dos formas:
Continua....
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 08:35 | Comite Pro-Reparaciones para las Hermanas GonzÃlez de Chiapas
URL: www.hermanasgonzalez.org
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How to Participate in the Campaign to Support the Sisters
Dear supporter of indigenous women's rights and freedoms,
The Comité pro-Reparaciones para las Hermanas González de Chiapas, el Centro de Derechos de la Mujer de Chiapas, el Colectivo de Mujeres de San Cristóbal, la Comisión Mexicana para la Defensa y Promoción de los Derechos Humanos, and el Centro para la Justicia y el Derecho Internaciónal invite you to join a campaign to pressure the Mexican government to grant reparations to the Celia, Beatriz, and Ana González, three indigenous women raped by soldiers at a military checkpoint in Chiapas, Mexico in 1994. After fifteen years of injustice, the sisters and their mother, a witness to the attacks, have completed key depositions. This progress will only be realized, however, through political pressure by organizations since the Mexican military actively resists acknowledging the crimes of its soldiers. As an organization or individual who struggles against violence against women of color, militarization of indigenous territories, and state violence against indigenous communities, we, in consultation with the survivors themselves (consulted on May 18, 2009) urge you to participate in this campaign.
There are two ways to participate in the campaign.
Continues...
www.hermanasg onzalez.org
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 08:28 | Marjorie, SaferSociety
marjorie@safersociety.org
URL: www.safersociety.org
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Submissions Requested for
Anthology of Writings by Survivors of Sexual Abuse
Safer Society Press is interested in receiving submissions of well-crafted, creative literature-poems, essays, short stories, and short plays-written by
survivors of sexual abuse. The submissions are being considered for a
forthcoming national literary anthology the press is planning. Entries can
be about the experience itself, its short-term or long-term impacts,
survival and/or recovery from such an experience, or other related, relevant
topics.
Please limit short stories, plays, and essays to a maximum of 2,500 words in
length; poems should be no longer than two pages in length. Each submission
needs to be accompanied by contact information for the author that includes,
if at all possible, name, mailing address, phone number, and email address.
Considering the sensitivity of the material to be published, full names of
perpetrators will not be used, although, when appropriate, first names can
be used. In most instances in the anthology, the press would prefer to
publish submissions under authors' first names, but in other instances will
allow full names, a pen name, or the use of "anonymous." A small honorarium
will be paid to authors whosework is published in the forthcoming anthology.
*Please send submissions both by snail mail and email by August 15, 2009*.
Please mail submissions to
Marjorie Ryerson, Editorial Director, Safer
Society Press, P.O. Box 340, Brandon, VT 05733.
Please email the same
submissions to marjorie@safersocie.org.
Mailed materials will not be returned unless accompanied by an SASE. For questions,
write the editor at marjorie@safersocie ty.org, or phone 802-247-3132.
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 08:20 | Ranee Layosa, County of Kauai
rlayosa@kauai.gov
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Do you know of any Attorney experienced in doing DV/Sexual Assault jury trials that would consider moving to Kauai? We have a position open that pays up to $91,000 commensurate with experience; 21 days vacation, 21 days sick leave + other benefits.
Ranee Layosa, Secretary, Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, COUNTY OF KAUAI
rlayosa@kauai.gov
(808) 241-1752
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| 02 Jun 2009 - 08:16 | Bernice
bernicefuller@gmail.com
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Im working as a law enforcement officer at the traffic department. I was raped on 16th december 2008 by my colluege('s). There were 3 people involved. I do not remember whilest everything happened because I was under the influence and do believe that I got drugged also.
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* The 3 people where not only my collueges but also very dear friends. And not only was the rape itself a shock but the betrayal of my friendship also.
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* The work susspended them before Christmas up until end of February 2009. They are all working with me again and I have to face them daily.
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* The case has not yet started to appear in court 'cause the investigation around the DNA and other relevant factors are still on going.
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* The one guy admitted having sex with me but he claimed that I was his girlfriend and agreed upon everything. (Which is a lie ofcourse) The fact that he's lying like that, I could not understand, because I had such severe bruices all over my body and had 6 anal fragment injuries and 3 viginal injuries. Now how do you injure your "so called girlfriend" like that????
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* The other 2 people claimed they new of nothing and heard nothing, but we were all in the same house when everything happened. But they claimed that they had an affair and was with eachother. The 1 of the 2 drove my vehicle to the house where everything allegibly happened and where I whoke up and discovered that I had so many injuries and nothing was like I remembered.
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* I remember everything like it was yesterday. At first I didnt exactly knew what happened, not until I sit straight up. The 3 of them were outside busy saying goodbye when I came outside. I tried to stop 2 of them from leaving but hey they did not care at all about my well being. I realized something is really very wrong and decided to get in my vehicle and drive back home.
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* And yeah I went straight to the Police Station and reported everything.
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* At this stage I just want the court case to begin...I want to get away from all of them. I do not feel comfortable working while they are around. My fear levels are high and Im depressed most of the time after I saw them.
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* I do trust that GOD brought this upon my road to make a better person of me and to test my faith. But its so hard to start thinking of forgiveness at this stage. But its the correct manner to get rid of all feelings and start heeling.
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| 01 Jun 2009 - 07:06 | Physicians for Human Rights
URL: physiciansforhumanrights.org/library/rep . . .
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Nowhere To Turn: Failure To Protect, Support and Assure Justice for Darfuri Women
Physicians for Human Rights Press release
May 31, 2009
(Cambridge, MA) Physicians for Human Rights (PHR) has published a report documenting the scope and long-term impact of rape and other sexual violence experienced by women who fled attacks on their villages in Darfur and are now refugees in neighboring Chad.
This scientific study, conducted in partnership with Harvard Humanitarian Initiative (HHI), corroborates women's accounts of rape and other crimes against humanity that they have experienced in Darfur, as well as rape and deprivations of basic needs in refugee camps in Chad.
"Many Darfuri women refugees live in a nightmare of memories of past trauma compounded by the constant threat of sexual violence around the camps now," stated PHR's Deputy Director Susannah Sirkin, who contributed to the report. "Women who report being raped are stigmatized, and remain trapped in places of perpetual insecurity. There's no one to stop the rapes, no one to turn to for justice for past or ongoing crimes, and little psycho-social support to address their prolonged and unimaginable traumas."
Nowhere To Turn: Failure To Protect, Support and Assure Justice for Darfuri Women amplifies the voices of 88 women refugees in Chad's Farchana camp, some of them breaking their silence for the first time. The women spoke to a team of four female researchers including three physicians about how they face increased misery, fear and discrimination resulting from their experiences of sexual assaults in Darfur and in Chad. This is a rare scientific study, whose researchers overcame numerous obstacles to document the impact of sexual violesnce experienced by Darfuri women refugees.
Among the 88 women refugees interviewed, 32 reported instances of confirmed or highly probable rape. Of those 32 rape reports, 17 occurred in Darfur and a roughly equal number (15) occurred in Chad. And among the instances of rape reported in Chad, the vast majority (10 of 11 confirmed reports) occurred when women left the camps to gather firewood.
Virtually half of the 88 women interviewed (46) feared ongoing sexual violence around the refugee camp.
"The atmosphere of intimidation was palpable as we listened to women describing their profound suffering and fear, and their yearning to return safely and with dignity to their former lives," stated Dr. Sondra Crosby, a PHR consultant and expert in refugee trauma.
Last November, Physicians for Human Rights conducted 21 physical and psychological evaluations of Darfuri women refugees based on the Istanbul Protocol (IP) – the internationally accepted standards for medical assessment and documentation of the long-lasting impact of violence. All of the individuals whom PHR evaluated using the IP standards showed symptoms of major depressive disorder (19 of 21 women) and/or symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (16 of 21).
Physicians for Human Rights called for urgent and important measures to address the needs of Darfuri women survivors. Their recommendations include:
- vigorous prosecution of rape as a war crime, including support for the International Criminal Court warrants against Sudanese perpetrators;
- increased protection of refugees in Chad by Chadian police and international peacekeepers, including effective firewood patrols;
- legal reforms in Chad to end impunity for sexual violence; and
- provision of effective psychosocial support to survivors.
The report also includes a copy of a declaration called "The Farchana Manifesto" written by women in the camp in response to gender discrimination and violence. Printed in its original hand-written Arabic version, and translated into French and English, the manifesto lists women's demands for participation in camp decision-making, an end to stigmatization and for dignity and equality. Copies of the study and the manifesto are available online at DarfuriWomen.org.
See Report...
physiciansforhumanrights.org/library/report-2009-05-31.html
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