Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Silence is the Enemy

I saw this on another site attached with a story; Silence is the Enemy.

DISCOVER-Today (Posted June 1, 2009) begins a very important initiative called Silence Is The Enemy to help a generation of young women half a world away.

I’m asking all of you–bloggers, writers, teachers, and concerned citizens–to use whatever platform you have to call for an
end to the rape and abuse of women and girls in Liberia and around the world.

If you would like to know more about the story visit; http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/intersection/2009/06/01/silence-is-the-enemy/

Thoughts

I understand most of you reading this may not quite get what I am doing. So, let me explain in the best way. This blog is a collection of news stories found by me to give more information about sexual assault and rape. These stories will range from accusations, trials, bills and statistics.

I hope that at the end May, there will be a strong following and that we as a blogging community will know the in and out aspect of rape in the media.

There are many controversal things that emerge when rape and sexual assault are discussed. I want this taboo feeling to be destroyed. I want people to feel at ease when the word rape is said. I want those who were taken advantage of to feel at ease when rape is said. It isn't a scary word unless we, the media and those surrounding us make it one.

So, please feel free to comment on stories you would like to see, what you would like to see less of, and things you wish you could see happen. We can change the world...one blog at a time....

Now, since I brought up change... let's see if we can find some news stories related to that.

McCaskill, Senators seek to help military rape victims

Currently four political women are sponsoring the 'Support for Survivors Act'.  
Senator Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Susan Collins (R-Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) announced their support for the act which will require the Department of Defense to save records concerning sexual assault all across the U.S. Military.
This legislation has been introduced in the United States Senate that seeks to protect victims of rape in the military.

The bill, as explained by McCaskill’s office, would: (1) Require the Dept. of Defense to ensure the preservation of documents connected with reports of sexual assault and sexual harassment in the military; (2) Ensure privacy for the victim and the perpetrator; (3) Ensure life-long access by the service member to his or her personal documents; (4) Grant the VA access to documents only at the request of a service member, for the purpose of assisting with the processing of a disability compensation claim; and (5) Allow the Dept. of Defense to review the data, excluding names, to improve research and reporting.
For more on the story visit; http://politicmo.com/2011/03/29/mccaskill-senators-seek-to-help-military-rape-victims/

Bill blocks payment for abortions for incest, rape victims

IOWA- Poor Iowans would be prohibited from having a taxpayer-paid abortion in cases of rape or incest under an amendment to a budget bill approved by a House committee this week.
Jill June, president of Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, said pregnant victims of rape and incest deserve health care services regardless of their economic status.
"It's cruel and hurtful to take away funding from a woman with financial hardships who has been through such a horrifying crime," June said. "This is just another proposal to limit abortion services, and it would hurt a woman more during a devastating situation."
To read more on the story and to post comments (in hopes to change the bill) visit; http://www.indystar.com/article/D2/20110317/NEWS10/103170339/1007/LIVING/Bill-blocks-payment-abortions-incest-rape-victims?odyssey=nav%7Chead


Rape is not a compliment

THE GUARDIAN-This inability of humankind to bear very much reality explains how one clearly ridiculous story still has a purchase on the public imagination: that rape has something to do with desirability.

The terrible story of Delroy Grant, the serial sex attacker who was given life imprisonment last week after terrorising at least 203 elderly people, offered much jaw-dropping horror for newspapers to chew over:

The police blunders that let Grant continue his attacks; the unimaginable trauma he inflicted on his victims; the fact that many of them died before Grant was brought to justice.

But these facts weren't enough for some papers and they focused on something else, something that seemed to confirm to them Grant's depravity at least as much as his actions: that he chose to rape the elderly.

London's Evening Standard, for one, felt that this was so extraordinary that it merited its own little article in the middle of its double-spread report of the case, expressing "bafflement" at a "family man's sexual attraction to the elderly".

For more on this story visit; http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/mar/30/rape-is-not-a-compliment

I do hope these stories strike a nerve, that you post comments and allow more people to know your thoughts on the subject....

Again, thanks for your time in reading these stories!

Monday, March 28, 2011

All Ages

This selection of news articles deals with child rape and sexual assault. I chose to post these stories in an effort to let people know this happens at all ages. Also with the thought that maybe with knowledge we can help prevent this or help police find those accussed.

6 Arrested, One Sought in Gang Rape of 11-year-old Girl

MORENO VALLEY- Police are looking for another suspected gang member in relation to the 11-year old rape victim.
The rape took place on March 10 (Thursday 2011), in a restroom.
Police have arrested six gang members in connection to the rape and are holding them in custody.
Authorities are still looking for 19-year-old Michael Sykes, also believed to be a gang member.
Police believe Sykes may have fled to Los Angeles.
Anyone with information is encouraged to contact detectives at (951) 247-8700.
For more on the story visit; http://www.ktla.com/news/landing/ktla-moreno-valley-gang-rape,0,4231508.story

West Brighton man sentenced to 14 years in prison for rape

STATON ISLAND, NY- A West Brighton man, will spend more than a decade in prison. The man repeatedly raped a young female relative starting when she was just 5 years old.
After admitting to sexually abusing the female child relative; Antonio Hernandez, 22, has been sentenced to 14 years behind bars. 
For more information involving the story visit; http://www.silive.com/northshore/index.ssf/2011/03/west_brighton_man_sentenced_to_1.html

Hometown man accused of raping girl, 12, hid for 23 years, cops say

CHICAGO- Thanks to investigators, help from the Texas Rangers and an 11-year-old set of fingerprints,  David Withrow will have to answer to rape charges that date to 1988.
Withrow allegedly raped a 12-year-old girl in a Bridge City, Texas, apartment, said Cory Kneeland, assistant district attorney for Orange County in Texas.
Withrow is charged with aggravated sexual assault of a child, Kneeland said.
If convicted, Withrow faces from five to 99 years, or life in prison.

Monday, March 21, 2011

Stories Give Knowledge

Below are a few current stories about rape convictions, tests, and bills currently taking place around the world. Feel free to comment...

Supreme Court restores California rape conviction, rebukes appeals court
    The Supreme Court restores California rape conviction. The justices rebuke the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals for overturning Steven Jackson's conviction.
       The decision marked the 10th time since November that the justices have reversed rulings of the 9th Circuit; nearly all of the decisions were unanimous.
       Jackson was convicted of raping and robbing a 72-year-old women in her apartment eight years ago. Due to an earlier conviction for a sexual assault, he was sentenced to life in prison.
      Visit the LA Times for the full story;
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-na-court-9th-circuit-20110322,0,7336586.story

Bill to end child rape limitations won't be heard

OLYMPIA, Wash. —
A proposed measure that would eliminate the statute of limitations on prosecuting child rape has unanimously passed the House but won't get a hearing in a Senate committee.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2014562642_apwaxgrchildrapebill1stldwritethru.html

Treating victims right; changing India’s protocols on rape

INDIA--
After being sexually assaulted, usually the last thing a victim wants is to go through a painful, invasive physical examination.  In India, the so-called “finger test” is standard protocol for forensic examinations of women who claim rape or sexual assault.
http://www.rnw.nl/english/article/treating-victims-right-changing-india%E2%80%99s-protocols-rape

Review

This blog site will be for those victimized by rape or sexual assault. This will be a forum for those to visit in order to know what is happening in the news, media and events surrounding the silent world of rape and sexual assault.

There are many sites dedicated to informing the public of what rape and sexual assault is, the statistics surrounding it and what to do if it happens to you. I want this site to be one where you can go for comfort and peace. You aren't worried about the facts, you know the effects, now all you want is to speak out about it.

Go ahead!