Rape is shredding Syria’s social fabric

As stated in the article, “rape and other forms of sexualized violence have long been used as a tool of war to destroy not only individual bodies but entire communities.” We have seen rape used as a tool of war by South Sudan soldiers, during the Rwandan genocide, and now in Syria. By highlighting these injustices we can bring a voice to those forcibly silenced. Follow the interactive map (https://womenundersiegesyria.crowdmap.com/) to educate your community and to help bring a voice to the victims.

Article: http://www.cnn.com/2012/12/05/opinion/wolfe-syria-rape/index.html?hpt=hp_c1

Rwanda conflict: http://www.womenundersiegeproject.org/conflicts/profile/rwanda

‘Men don’t have to worry about being caught’: Sex mobs target Egypt’s women

After reading this disturbing article, I cannot help but think if Canadians feel the same way about Canada. Do you feel safe in Canada? Although Canadian laws are tough on rape, do rapists themselves usually got off easy? Post your thoughts and opinions in the comments section.

Article: http://worldnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/05/15675200-men-dont-have-to-worry-about-being-caught-sex-mobs-target-egypts-women#.UL9yPa4Ge7E.email

Article on Canada’s judicial system: http://news.nationalpost.com/2012/10/12/sidestepping-the-lash-punishment-of-rape-and-child-sex-offenders-lagging-in-canada-critics/

Here is my second and a half blog post

Ihavenoideawhatimdoing

Second blog

this is my second blog post

FREDA Conference Announcement: Nov 7-9 in Vancouver

Apologies for the late notice about this upcoming important conference:

Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence: Exploring the Continuum of Violence Against Women and Girls

Nov 7-9

Vancouver Marriott Pinnacle Downtown (1128 W. Hastings)

Conference website: http://fredacentre.com/events/

*****REGISTRATION CLOSES at NOON on FRIDAY NOV 2 so don’t delay if you intend to register.

Facebook as a tool for child sex traffickers

Another heartbreaking use of modern technology to victimize vulnerable children.  What suggestions do you have for intervention and prevention?

http://www.nbcnews.com/technology/technolog/facebook-used-kidnap-traffic-indonesian-girls-1B6737538

Pregnancies resulting from rape – part of God’s plan?

I came across this story earlier today and have been absolutely horrified and unable to stop thinking about it. I wanted to share this with you to spark a discussion on the comment made by this politician. How can someone possibly think like this? What implications would a comment like this have on a person who is or has been pregnant after being raped? What can we do to prevent others from developing viewpoints such as this?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-20054737

10/27/12 update:  View this powerful video by Melissa Harris-Perry.  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/10/27/melissa-harris-perry-deli_n_2030834.html

Jimmy Savile – TV icon sex-abuse scandal rocks the BBC

There is no limit to the stories of sexual predators or to the “respected” institutions that have enabled predators to continue either by looking the other way or by actively abetting them.  See the latest at: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/23/world/europe/uk-savile-bbc-scandal/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 and let log on with your thoughts.

October 28, 2012 follow-up story on CNN.com: http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/28/world/europe/uk-savile-investigation/index.html?hpt=hp_t3

(Photo attribution for post image: By Jmb at en.wikipedia [CC-BY-2.5 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.5), GFDL (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html) or CC-BY-SA-3.0 (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/)], from Wikimedia Commons)

Gender Aftershocks – Ongoing Sexual Violence in Haiti

This is a superb article written by Allie Torgan and published on October 18, 2012 at cnn.com  about the continuing scourge of sexual violence (both rape and also transactional survival sex) in displacement camps in Haiti.  There are also glimmers of hope for both reporting and for prevention.  What can be done both on the ground in Haiti and from abroad?  How should Canadians and also the Canadian government and its related aid arms (CIDA in particular) respond, given Canada’s place on the world stage of peacemaking and peacekeeping, and also considering the many Haitian immigrants who now call Canada home?  Finally, what should our role be at UBC we as an engaged community of learning and practice?

See article at  http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/18/world/americas/cnnheroes-haiti-rape/index.html?hpt=hp_c1 and contribute your perspectives.

Malala Yousufzai

The horrific, premeditated attack on Malala Yousufzai and two of her schoolmates in Pakistan has riveted the world’s attention on the way girls and women are viewed and treated both in Pakistan and beyond, and on the urgent need to provide girls worldwide with both education and safety.  Please refer to the articles below and offer your commentary as appropriate. http://www.cnn.com/2012/10/15/world/asia/pakistan-teen-activist-attack/index.html?hpt=hp_t1