GCNova: Girl Child Network Worldwide at Villanova

GCNova has a new home!

2009-10-25T17:42:00.004-04:00

Girl Child Network Worldwide: Villanova (GCNova) has relocated to a new home in the Web! Please keep up with us at our new address, http://www.gcnw-villanova.com!

Our new website has been designed by fellow Villanova student Chris Cho, of Visual Wiz Design, and is powered by Wordpress.

tremendous tuesday.

2009-10-20T22:23:00.005-04:00

Just a couple quick notes...

GCNova's next general body meeting is this Thursday at 6pm in the Center for Peace and Justice Education! Time to really get down to work...
I HAVE HUGE NEWS TO SHARE. All in good time... but it's EPIC.
GCNova has a new website on the way! Courtesy of Chris Cho at Visual Wiz Design... So we will be relocating soon!

Have a safe, beautiful night everyone!

MAKE SURE TO VOTE FOR BETTY FOR CNN HERO OF THE YEAR! Voting closes on November 19, 2009 and you can vote as many times as you would like. So get clicking!

public sexual assault at a school dance.

2009-10-20T15:48:00.003-04:00

ARE YOU KIDDING ME.

At a boarding school with a history of sexual controversy in the UK, a 13-year-old girl was sexually assaulted by two 15-year-old male students. The assault occurred at a school dance, apparently IN FRONT OF OTHER STUDENTS. According to the DailyMail, one male student held the girl down while the other "performed a sex act on her." Student spectators observed the girl crying and bleeding.

This story is absolutely ridiculous. Not only was the rape completely atrocious--not to mention PUBLIC--but the school is reportedly trying to keep it quiet and deal with it as a "private matter." They've even gone so far as to confiscate students' mobile phones and computers (Hopefully, though, this will decrease pressure to stay silence and encourage students to come forward with testimony to get these boys behind bars where they belong). But secondly, and even worse, is that the parents and the victim are refusing to press charges and have left the matter in the hands of the school. WHAT?!

close to home: West Chester U. student murdered.

2009-10-17T11:31:00.002-04:00

On Wednesday night, 21-year-old West Chester University Selene Raynor was shot and murdered, allegedly by her boyfriend, 19-year-old Tyrell Hart. According to police reports, Raynor picked Hart up in her mother's Jeep on Wednesday night to discuss "some aspect of their relationship," they had a fight in the car, and at some point, Hart shot her before returning home, taking a shower, and going to bed.

Raynor was pregnant.

Please take a minute of silence today for Selene Raynor.

rape as weapon of war in the Congo.

2009-10-17T11:20:00.003-04:00

We've blogged about the horrific plight of women in the Congo before. Glad to see that the newswires are continuing to draw attention to the use of rape as a weapon of war in this country. Read the latest here.

$7 for sex.

2009-10-16T23:15:00.005-04:00

CNN posted a video feature today about the prostitution in South Africa.

I think it is both heartbreaking and and empowering to see a video like this being broadcasted across the globe. On the one hand, it hurts to see the images of young children selling their bodies and hearing them speak so casually of what they do to earn a couple bucks (apparently the going rate for sex on the streets of Johannesburg are equivalent to seven US dollars). On the other, it is always good to see that these stories are being reported, raising awareness among groups and individuals that might not have necessarily known this is going away.

This particular video, however, outraged me--because it frames the prostitution problem in South Africa within the context of next year's World Cup. The reporter presses the question, will prostitution rise next year when the city is swarmed with soccer-frenzied tourists?

Dear CNN reporter, please recognize that this problem is significant and unacceptable, regardless of its impact on "the game." Prostitution is not just the "ugly side" of soccer, as you so aptly put it, but REAL LIFE for children in South Africa. Children have been manipulated, exploited, and abused in South Africa long before the World Cup location was ever announced, and they will continue to be mistreated long after the tourists have gone.

That is, unless we, along with GCNW and other sexual/child violence activists, have anything to say about it.

SYTYCD's Mary Murphy reveals story of abuse.

2009-10-16T12:53:00.004-04:00

Seems like music and dance really is a therapeutic way to deal with one's issues. This past summer, we blogged about So You Think You Can Dance choreographer Alex Da Silva's arrest for charges of sexual assault. Now, ballroom expert and judge Mary Murphy has gone public with a tragic story of marriage abuse, infidelity, domestic violence, and rape. Read more here.

In other random SYTYCD news, critically acclaimed choreographer Mia Michaels has announced her official resignation from the show. I'm shamelessly devastated; after watching various dancers tackle Mia's routines and emerge transformed, usually with tears streaming down their faces, it is obvious that dance allows people to confront and overcome their own personal issues and demons in a healthy, expressive, and beautiful way.

There is no "right" path to empowerment... For those who have found emotional haven in music, dance, art, writing, running, sports fanaticism, needlepoint, ... ANYTHING, we are proud of you. And, we continued to be inspired by you every day.

Louisiana couple denied marriage license.

2009-10-16T11:58:00.003-04:00

A justice of the peace in Louisiana refused to issue a marriage license to an interracial couple, citing his concerns for their future children.

Occurrences like these make me sick to my stomach. What's worse yet is the fact that this justice, Keith Bardwell, claims that he is not racist. No, he's just worried about the influence of an interracial marriage on the couple's children. I'm working on a paper right now discussing the dangers of colorblindness ideology in the United States. By encouraging that we all just ignore race and its influences, society is ignoring major systemic problems and issues that must be addressed. And, it allows people like Bardwell to make racial statements without "being racist," instead citing any other reason--like concerns for children--to justify race talk.

Hong Kong girls sell sex for designer fashions.

2009-10-15T23:22:00.005-04:00

I came across a heartbreaking story today via CNN. (Just a warning, the article itself can get a little graphic so do not visit the CNN link if you're not good with ultra-sensitive material.)

According to CNN, a trend has been developing among Hong Kong teens, in which young girls have been visiting online chat rooms in order to secure male dates for "compensated dating." For a fee, young girls offer to accompany men, usually older, on dates that usually include sex. CNN's Pauline Chiou spoke with a 19-year-old young woman, who chose to be identified only by her nickname "Sze," because her family was not aware of the way she started earning money when she was just 16 years old. Sze's heartbreaking story details the way in which she got involved with the practice of "compensated dating" after she saw how her classmates were able to buy expensive designer fashions, bags, and cosmetics with their quick, "easy" earnings. According to the article, Sze was paid $350 per date and arranged rules with her clients via phone beforehand, even going so far as to verbally clarify the number of times she was willing to have sex with them. Still, she admitted, some customers pushed or even broke the rules--asking for more sex or refusing to use protection.

Sze's testimony in the CNN article is incredibly sad, as she admits that she sometimes felt shame but often overcame the feeling quickly, as she could "relax when [she] wanted to buy something." Even worse still, apparently the young girls engaging in this practice do not consider themselves to be prostitutes. They think that they can quit at any time, and that they are in full control of their own actions and choices when it comes to going on these dates and with whom. And, as most cases are consensual, it is difficult for the authorities to track and pursue punishment or any other response.

Stories like these are terrifying. The practice of "compensated dating" is inherently dangerous, but it can become explicitly so as soon as a young girl is physically overpowered by her date. With girls like Sze being picked up, taken out, and left alone with strangers whom they meet online, there is no telling what can go wrong... but there are definitely thousands of ways for this practice to become deadly. Leaving aside the immeasurable risks of contracting sexually transmitted infections and being emotionally/psychologically damaged by such casual sexual encounters, Sze herself admitted that clients have not always abided by the rules. And why should they? I think it is fairly safe to say that someone who solicits and pays for sex does not have the deepest respect for a young woman's health, safety, or body.

The CNN article mentions that, last year, a 16-year-old Hong Kong girl was brutally murdered by a 24-year-old man she had met for a compensated date. The man is now serving a life sentence in prison because, not only did he murder her, but he literally dismembered her body before flushing her remains down the toilet.

Luckily, Sze found help and realized that there are other ways to earn money... ways that do not involve sacrificing her health, dignity, and innocence. We hope other young women, like Sze's friends who resisted her efforts to get them out of the compensated dating game, can come to respect themselves and their bodies and leave compensated dating behind.

rape kit backlog!

2009-10-15T14:47:00.003-04:00

Had no idea that this was even an issue with rape kits in the U.S! While it is necessary for women to undergo medical evaluation and have evidence collected after a rape, it is cruel to do so and then allow the evidence to sit idle for years while the statute of limitations runs out! Read more here.

Pepsico apologizes for AMP UP iphone app.

2009-10-15T13:25:00.010-04:00

Haha! Pepsico has apologized for the AMP UP iPhone app that we blogged about a couple days ago, after Twitter exploded with harsh feedback. Twitter users were talking about it so much that they created their own hashtag, #pepsifail.

The Telegraph article did inform us, though, of another absolutely ridiculous feature of the app: The Brag List, to which users can post name, date of conquest, and any other details they remember about the oh-so-lucky woman in order to share info about successful hookups with their buddies via Twitter, Facebook, etc.

That's a whole new level of pathetic.

Though AMP UP has publicly apologized via their Twitter account, there has been no mention of pulling the app. It is still available for free download for iPhone users, and unfortunately, all this negative publicity may make it that much more popular among men.

juveniles set boy on fire.

2009-10-13T22:15:00.002-04:00

15-year-old Michael Brewer has second-degree burns over 80% of his body after five teens intentionally set the young boy on fire in Florida. The five teens allegedly laughed after the incident.

no wingman tonight? just make sure to bring your trusty iphone.

2009-10-13T20:56:00.005-04:00

The Pepsico energy drink company AMP UP has released a free iPhone app targeting young men looking for a little help in the dating department. Let's say you meet a girl but you don't know how to approach her, start a conversation, what music to pretend you like, or what restaurant you should suggest visiting. No problem, just start up the AMP UP Before You Score app, select the girl from 24 oh-so-flattering types (including Treehugger, Rebound Girl, Sorority Girl, Cougar, Nerd, Princess, and Out of Your League), and all the info you need is right at your fingertips.

Wow. Setting aside the ridiculousness of dividing women up into predictable categories, let's just reiterate what the bloggers at theFrisky so eloquently said: "Guys? If you need to consult your iPhone so you can talk to [girls] and/or fake an interest in politics or the environment in order to be interesting, [they're] out of your league already."

evicted for..... reporting abuse?

2009-10-13T20:41:00.003-04:00

These Chicago landlords could give that UK police officer a run for his money in callousness and stupidity.

Apparently, a Chicago woman who reportedly called the cops when her live-in boyfriend threatened her at gunpoint. Thankfully, the police officers showed up... but a day after the woman testified in front of a judge about the incident, she was served with eviction papers. Her landlords had cited a breach of her lease, arguing that she was involved with criminal activity--and the belief that she might not be able to handle the rent if her abusive boyfriend moved out.

Are you kidding me?

officer left woman alone with rapist.

2009-10-13T20:31:00.005-04:00

Really stellar police work going down in the UK these days. Last November, a neighbor called 999 (the British equivalent of 911) to report the screams of a woman in Woolwich. upon responding to the call, Pc Matthew Harris was greeted at the door by Vitas Jasionas, 54 (who looks really quite trustworthy in his mug shot, don't you think?), who assured him that everything was just fine. So, Harris just left--even though the woman, at that point, had already been assaulted at least once. Later, she called the police again, but by the time the police showed up and Jasionas was arrested on the scene, she had already been raped again.

Almost a year later, Jasionas has been found guilty of raping the 32-year-old woman whom Harris left in the flat without further inquiry. Harris is now being investigated.

Um, duh.

DON'T FORGET...

2009-10-13T17:50:00.003-04:00

to vote for GCNW co-founder Betty Makoni for CNN HERO OF THE YEAR! Voting closes in November, but you can vote as many times as you would like!

supreme court to hear 'sex slave' case.

2009-10-13T17:47:00.004-04:00

click here for the latest on the upcoming Supreme Court case of Glenn Marcus, convicted of sexual abuse, physical mutilation, and psychological humiliation of women.

Schuett update: DNA evidence leads to arrest.

2009-10-13T17:40:00.004-04:00

A couple weeks ago, we posted a link about the courage of 27-year-old Jennifer Schuett, who has bravely spoken out about her rape nineteen years ago. After being abducted, raped, and left for dead at just 8 years old, Jennifer decided to come forward and hope that recent developments in technology would help track down her attacker. We are happy to report, via CNN, that Jennifer's efforts and DNA evidence have led to the arrest of Dennis Earl Bradford, 40.

GCNW would be proud, as Schuett remarked at a news conference, "19 years later, I stand here and want you all to know that I am okay. I am not a victim, but instead, victorious."

sentence handed down in domestic violence case.

2009-10-08T17:51:00.003-04:00

A Maryland man has been sentenced to life in prison after he attempted to murder his girlfriend. Carlos Ovalle, 33, was stopped by a police officer in the midst of the brutal beating, during which he attacked 23-year-old mother-of-two Ana Valdez... with a two-foot-tall, five-pound crucifix. Apparently, the assault was so violent that doctors spent 45 minutes pulling shards of ceramic out of Valdez's skull and wounds.

Read the full Washington Post article here, which also details how Ovalle showed up on Valdez's 23rd birthday, saying, "I have your present. Tonight you're going to die."

rape reports hit 20-year low! good news?

2009-10-08T17:34:00.004-04:00

According to USA Today, the number of reported rapes has hit a 20-year low in the United States! In 2008, approximately 89,000 women reported an instance of rape as compared to an estimated 109,062 reports in 1992. The article attributes the decline in the increased use of DNA evidence in convictions, the cooperation of victims with police forces, and changes in the way the authorities deal with rape cases.

Articles like these are always tricky; obviously, it is great news if incidence of rape has actually declined in the past decade. However, this news carries with it a double-edged sword: first, there is always the risk that these numbers will fool people into thinking that rape is not as big of an issue as it once was, and that we can let down our guard; second, it is also a possibility that the incidence of rape has not actually gone down, but the number of women actually reporting them has--which would align with philosophies of a modern rape culture that treats sex and sexual crime so casually that women don't even recognize sexual assault when it happens to them.

in honor of fall break...

2009-10-08T12:01:00.003-04:00

to celebrate the impending end of Midterms Week and to usher in ten beautiful days of Fall Break, i thought it was necessary (and by necessary, i mean entertaining) to post a couple quick, random, completely-unrelated links...

Honestly, who wouldn't want a new Funktiontide pillow?! This thing looks absolutely amazing. A little weird, yes, but I bet it is the most comfortable companion in the world. Apparently, some of the advertising for the new pillow touts it as the ultimate aid for the lonely and depressed, but who cares... even if you're already happy and content, the addition of this pillow to your life would probably only make things even better! Please buy me one.
On the other hand, maybe you should just save up to your dollars to buy one of these awesome cupcake cars??! That is, if you have $25,000 to spare. And, if you don't mind traveling at 7 miles per hour everywhere you go, in a car shaped like a frosted dessert treat. But hey, it's electrically powered, so at least it's environmentally friendly?

abortion details to be posted online.

2009-10-08T11:48:00.003-04:00

Please keep in mind that we are not taking any particular stance on the abortion issue, but merely reporting current events pertaining to women's issues... but a new law (full text found here) will go into effect on November 1, 2009 in Oklahoma that requires women to divulge personal information as part of the abortion process. Though the lengthy questionnaire does not include any specific identifying information (like name, age, or address), opponents of the legislation argue that the information gathered by the questions is enough to identify a woman living in a small town.

I came across this issue in an explicitly biased Salon article, found here. (Again, keep in mind that provision of this link should not be considered as an endorsement of the claims/arguments made in the article.) Regardless of individuals' perspectives on the abortion issue, I think it is safe to say that this law will probably deter quite a few women from considering abortion as an option, if it turns out that they can be publicly identified through the results of such a survey.

cellphone footage of rape.

2009-10-06T22:47:00.003-04:00

I can't blog too much about this one because it literally hurts. According to a New York Times article, cellphone footage of Guinea soldiers attacking, beating, and raping women have gone viral. There are no words to describe the atrocities being committed in Guinea as a result of riots that have broken out in the past week, and women have become the innocent targets of much of the violence.

Tyler Perry reveals childhood abuse.

2009-10-06T22:37:00.003-04:00

After producing a film detailing the emotional and physical abuse of a young girl, actor and producer Tyler Perry has publicly recalled various incidents from his own childhood. For the first time, Perry has revealed tragic details concerning his own experiences of abuse via his website. Apparently, Perry was physically abused by his father, was sexually harassed and assaulted by the mother of a friend, and even abused by his own grandmother who tried to rid him of his germs by bathing him in ammonia.

His stories are graphic and heartbreaking, but we applaud him for being brave enough to not only speak out about his own experiences, but work on a film that may encourage others to come forward with their own stories as well.

Domestic violence as a 'pre-existing condition' ?!!

2009-10-06T22:34:00.003-04:00

I had no idea that domestic violence has been historically used by insurance companies as a "pre-existing condition" and grounds to deny medical coverage! Luckily, Democrats are making a stand against this ridiculous policy and vowing to end this practice. Read more here.

Polanski update.

2009-10-06T21:52:00.005-04:00

As part of our link rollout last week, we noted the unsettling developments in the arrest of acclaimed director Roman Polanski. If you remember, Polanski has been arrested for a rape/sexual assault committed 31 years ago, when he reportedly gave a 13-year-old model a significant amount of champagne and half of a Quaalude pill before raping her. What was the most ridiculous part, however, was that the then-13-year-old model is now grown and is protesting the arrest and possible trial of Polanski, saying that the media has done more harm than Polanski ever did. Also, various organizations, political figures, and celebrity personalities have backed Polanski (check out this commentary), arguing that he has paid his time for his crimes (um, 42 days is in no way a significant punishment for the drugging and rape of a 13-year-old girl, period) and that he has since produced such a significant, unbelievable amount of work of such high quality that he should be granted amnesty.

Thankfully, however, the tide may seem to be turning. According to this New York Times article, Polanski's legal team has acquired a powerful player in Reid Weingarten, but various French political figures have now spoken out about Polanski's arrest. One was quoted as saying that the rape charge "is not something trivial, whoever the suspect is."

Let's hope the rest of the political community, as well as the Hollywood personalities that unfortunately influence much of public opinion, comes to their senses and sets a good example by condemning Polanski's crimes, no matter how long ago they were committed. To reduce such a strategic, planned rape to nothing more than a "youthful error" is absolutely appalling and an obvious contributor to the rape culture in today's society.

And, let's be serious. He was 45 years old at the time. Since when is that "youthful?" And, since when is being a good cinematic director an excuse to commit rape?

AMBER ALERT update.

2009-10-06T21:48:00.004-04:00

Last week, we posted an Amber Alert for a missing newborn. The infant, 4-day-old Yair Anthony Carillo, has since been found and his abductor has been apprehended, but various sources have reported that the child's mother has now temporarily lost custody of all of her four children for "safety reasons." Follow the latest here.

support AXO Domestic Violence Awareness Week!

2009-10-06T21:42:00.003-04:00

All Villanova students have the opportunity to support victims of domestic violence this week as the Alpha Chi Omega sorority raises money for a local women's shelter. In recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, please stop by the Oreo tomorrow on the last day of their fundraiser; they will be selling baked goods from 11am-3pm!

motivation on a monday.

2009-10-05T12:40:00.004-04:00

if you have any doubts about the immense power of today's youth, check out this story.

CALL for CAMPUS COLLABORATION.

2009-10-02T13:12:00.004-04:00

GCNova is beginning to plan events for our first major fundraising drive, which will take place from November 25-December 10, as part of the 16 Days for Women's Rights! The drive will culminate on December 10, which is officially recognized as Human Rights Day.

We are looking for other student groups with which we can collaborate for one huge, blowout, campus-wide event! There are so many organizations that deal with human rights that it would be natural, and undeniably successful, for all of us to team up and get the whole campus talking about our issues.

If you are part of a student group that might be interested in participating, get in touch asap at either jessica.lu@villanova.edu or gcn.nova@gmail.com!

International Day for Non-Violence!

2009-10-02T10:10:00.005-04:00

In the spirit of International Day for Non-Violence and last night's successful GCNova launch, I thought it might be fitting to re-post our "it's our time" piece from August...

it's easy for a university to fall into that "bubble" trap--where it becomes apparent that the only world its students are aware of is the one occurring within their own 5-mile radius. with classes, campus events, friendship drama, and relationship troubles, it's not hard for students to get wrapped up in themselves and their own lives.

but villanova, luckily, is not one of those schools. with the city of philadelphia just twelve miles away, it is impossible to forget that the campus is just one of many throughout the united states, and that the united states is just one country in an expansive global community. it is a school where major newspapers are available, free of charge, to all students; and, a school where those students actually pick them up and read them. it is a school committed to service, charity, and compassion. whether you are the occasional volunteer, the habitual fundraiser, the weekly child mentor, or the passionate Habitat for Humanity trip coordinator, you can bet each Wildcat has at least a modicum of dedication to helping others. it is a community of which anyone would be proud to play a part.

which is why GCNova has the overwhelming potential to not only succeed, but thrive. this is an organization that has identified a social illness, a ravaging epidemic, and a cry for help. though we cannot contribute physical manpower in south africa or in GCNW's headquarters in the UK and California, we can play our part with vocal advocacy and fundraising. we can help bring attention to an often overlooked, underexposed, underestimated crisis. we are a university of approximately seven thousand undergrads. that's seven thousand voices we have available to us. and if we can raise those voices to cheer for our Wildcats as they make it all the way to Detroit's Final Four appearance in the 2009 Men's NCAA Tournament, we can surely lift them a little--or a lot--for the silenced women in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, and around the globe.

And even if you are inclined to stay confined within your own little bubble, don't forget that these issues have the power to encroach upon your life as well. it is not as difficult a stretch for girls to imagine how their life may be turned upside down by sexual assault; in fact, many college girls have had an experience of sexual assault already. but for the men, just imagine if it was your mother, your sister, or a close friend who could no longer bear the thought of facing others for fear of shame, who has had her innocence violently stripped away from her without care, who could no longer look forward to the prospect of having children one day, who now faced a future of endless medical treatments and certain premature death because she has been viciously infected with HIV/AIDS. imagine if you met a woman one day, fell hopelessly in love with her, and then found out she could no longer fully accept a man into her life because she was once abused and violated and never healed from her wounds. would you not want to do everything in your power to help these women, to give them life again?

Many young people think that they don't have the power to make a difference. They think that their dollars can't do much, and their voices will be stifled. How can you stop rape? Educate, encourage, and empower. These are things that we all have the power to do. If anything, now is our time. As we leave our teenage years behind and look to our futures, how can we ignore the world which we stand to inherit? We are young, we are bold, and we have power. Our generation helped to elect the United States of America's first African American president; and whether you supported President Barack Obama or not, you cannot deny that the day was not a monumental, historic, unforgettable one. For the youth of America, it was a triumphant announcement of our arrival; we had exercised our rights and we had made a difference.

We can make a difference again. And again, and again. To be young is not to be at a disadvantage; if anything, we have the upper hand.We are still naive, we are impressionable, and we are innocent. We have not been hardened by rejection, failure, or cynicism. We have vision, dreams, and lofty goals. And, our young age means we have years ahead to try and try again. So grab hold of your ambitions, no matter how impossible they may seem, and chase them down with all the strength your youth has blissfully given you.

Our dream is to fight for the protection of women's and children's rights, to eliminate sexual violence, and to raise up the survivors of abuse to a place where they can feel powerful, strong, and happy once more.

Contact me today to learn how you can get involved.

All the best,
Jessica
jessica.lu@villanova.edu; gcn.nova@gmail.com

VOTE BETTY FOR CNN HERO OF THE YEAR!

2009-10-01T23:36:00.002-04:00

PROUD.

2009-10-01T22:07:00.007-04:00

Tonight's launch was a SUCCESS. Thank you so much to the beautiful girls (we have yet to grab the attention of any boys, but we will get there!) that came out to support us tonight. We are so excited that we have such enthusiastic members, right off the start, and it definitely has reinforced our hope for GCNova's success in the future!

Also:

Leanne, our favorite GCNW trustee, has confirmed that GCNova is the FIRST, "bonafide U.S. university group to affiliate as a GCNW group" All eyes are on us, girls, so let's show everyone what we can do!
BETTY MAKONI HAS BEEN CHOSEN AS ONE OF CNN'S TOP 10 HEROES!! Click here now to visit the CNN page AND VOTE FOR BETTY FOR CNN HERO OF THE YEAR. You can vote as many times as you'd like until Thursday, November 19. So, click to support GCNW! You can also watch the videospot from Betty's Hero story here.
Our GCNW fundraising kit and action packet is in the mail and on its way to Villanova, so we will soon have ALL the tools we need to move forward.

Keep an eye out for GCNova on campus :)

INFORMATIONAL MEETING, TONIGHT!

2009-10-01T13:40:00.004-04:00

Girl Child Network Worldwide: Villanova (GCNova) is officially launching TONIGHT with our first informational meeting, 7:00pm in the Center for Peace and Justice Education in the basement of Sullivan Hall. We will be going over the inspiring story of Betty Makoni, GCN Zimbabwe, and the mission/five-year plan of GCNW as they pertain to our goals as a campus organization. Please come show your support and learn more about our future plans!

If you cannot make it, feel free to get in touch via Facebook, Twitter, or email so that we can get you any information you might need.

Our meeting tonight will also coincide with the kickoff of Domestic Violence Awareness Month, which begins today. And, tomorrow is the International Day for Non-Violence. In the spirit of both, I embarked on a little internet search to find the latest domestic violence statistics in the U.S. Though GCNW has its roots in Zimbabwe and other African nations, the international organization's mission is to spread its message across all borders. The U.S. is certainly not immune to critical analysis in the areas of sexual, domestic, and child violence. In my search, I came across an article from December 2008 that reported on a startling two-year rapid rate of increase in domestic violence, rape, and sexual assault. Read the Human Rights Watch article here. One researcher says, "The numbers in this survey show an alarmingly high rate of sexual violence in this country. This should serve as a wake-up call that more must be done to address the problem in the U.S." And, in regards to domestic violence in particular, the same researcher noted that domestic violence is often a "hidden crime," which is seriously underreported and often underestimated in its destructive, pervasive power.

Do your part in calling attention to these crimes today, come to the Center at 7pm!

South African church faces child abuse claims.

2009-09-30T19:30:00.005-04:00

amid allegations of sexual abuse, the Central Methodist Church in Johannesburg, South Africa, is conducting an internal investigation of its teachers and staff. suspicions were aroused after an anonymous letter was sent to Bishop Paul Verryn, the head of the inner city church, claiming that a male teacher had "made life difficult" for a young girl after she refused his sexual advances. there have also been other claims of abuse, ranging from coercion into sexual acts to recruitment for criminal activity.

the church is home to 10-15 orphaned Zimbabwean girls and boys, as well as an estimated 3000-3500 people (including 110 unaccompanied minors) who find shelter in the church each night. thankfully, the church seems to be significantly concerned about the issue and is encouraging anyone who may have been inappropriately solicited in any way to speak out and come forward.

two particularly noteworthy passages in the Guardian article:

An unnamed girl is quoted as saying, "I just wish people out there could open their eyes and see what's going on and try and help the young girls ‑ the young children ‑ who are in there and try and get them out because that's the most important thing." We hope that GCNW efforts, and ours as Villanovans involved with GCNova, can do enough to show young girls in South Africa, Zimbabwe, and around the globe that they are not only heard, but cherished, respected, and the driving inspiration of our efforts every single day.
Verryn goes on record saying, "Even the vaguest allegation needs to be examined in the scenario we are in here," he said. "Normally you assume someone is innocent until proven guilty. Here one has to assume guilt until innocence is proved." We applaud Verryn for taking these claims so seriously and diving headfirst into a critical, internal investigation, especially in a country that is reputed for a historically lenient treatment of sexual violence. However, this quote also points out a point of tension when it comes to sexual crimes: in America, it is widely undisputed that people are innocent until proven guilty. But, when it comes to sexual crimes, especially in instances in which the details are not always crystal clear, does this mantra still hold up? Are we obligated to assume the innocence of a possible perpetrator or the unverified truth of an alleged victim? What message do we send to a victim of sexual violence when we relentlessly question him/her, try to deconstruct the story looking for inconsistencies, or--worse yet--pin the blame on him/her and suggest he/she may be partly responsible for what may have happened?

500-carat diamond discovered in South Africa.

2009-09-30T19:06:00.003-04:00

last Thursday, the Petra Diamonds company found what is said to be the 19th-largest rough diamond ever mined. weighing in at 507.55 carats (101.5 grams) the white diamond was found in the historic Cullani Mine of South Africa, a site that has generated a quarter of the world's diamond trade. it is reported to be of particular high quality.

a smaller diamond was sold for $18.4 million last year.

unfortunately, i have a sinking feeling that South Africa will not benefit from any of the profits from the eventual sale of the new, currently unnamed diamond. also, it is sad that this find--though amazing--is getting more publicity than the horrendous state of violence and assault being perpetrated against countless South Africans.

AMBER ALERT: missing newborn.

2009-09-30T14:40:00.003-04:00

4-day-old Yair Anthony Carrillo was abducted from his Nashville, TN home on Monday afternoon and is believed to be in danger. He was kidnapped by a white female posing as an immigration officer. The female approached the home, demanded that Yair's mother hand over the baby, and stabbed her approximately 8 times when she refused.

iPhone app tracks sex offenders.

2009-09-30T12:04:00.003-04:00

Launched in June, the Offender Locator iPhone application provides background information on sex offenders within a 10-mile radius. Since its debut in June, the app has been downloaded by more than a million iPhone users and has become one of the top 10 most popular applications available. the program, like many other crime-fighting apps available on other phones and networks, have put valuable tools directly in the hands of the people, casting a wider net of prevention and detection than ever before.

also, a company called Intelius, Inc. is launching the Date Check application this month, which will allow users to do quick background checks in potentially-dangerous social situations, like a blind date.

of course, these applications have aggravated some who claim that they are an invasion of privacy and may lead to the spread of inaccurate or misleading information. also, as a CNN article points out, the apps could be misused by criminals in order to detect areas of high police activity, as areas to avoid.

AMBER ALERT: pregnant 12-year-old missing.

2009-09-30T11:54:00.003-04:00

A pregnant 12-year-old female and her 11-year-old sister are "missing" in North Carolina, though they are believed to be with their adoptive father. As the 12-year-old missed an appointment for an important medical procedure last week, her health may be in serious jeopardy.

articles of interest.

2009-09-29T16:12:00.006-04:00

while the world has been focused on the still-disputed election results from this past summer, Iran's morality police has been hard at work. their latest efforts have been focused on... mannequins. apparently, the curvaceous bodies of the plastic, inanimate objects are too seductive, and shopkeepers have been warned that all mannequins must be properly covered, particularly with the Muslim veil, or Hijab.
good news! there have been promising results for a new vaccine that may help decrease the chances of contracting HIV, which leads to AIDS, by 31%! up until this point, it was generally believed that an HIV-vaccine was impossible, but recent trials have undoubtedly renewed hope.
like Betty Makoni, another CNN Hero is making waves with her good work. After surviving a violent marriage, Rabia Iqbal is making it her life's mission to help Muslim women heal after abuse.
another woman is bravely giving a voice to the silenced by speaking out after her horrific past. Jennifer Schuett was only 8 years old when she was abducted, raped, and left to die. now, she has gone public in an attempt to find her attacker and draw attention to the very real issue of rape and sexual assault. it is a graphic story, but you can read more here.
most recently, the media has been in a frenzy about the arrest of acclaimed director Roman Polanski for a crime he committed 32 years ago. in 1977, Polanski met a 13-year-old model named Samantha Geimer and allegedly gave her champagne and half a Quaalude pill before raping her. after his initial arrest, guilty plea, and conviction for sex with a minor, Polanski served 42 days before fleeing to France to avoid further prosecution. As he is a French citizen, he escaped extradition and has continued to work overseas for the past three decades. However, over the weekend while in Switzerland, Polanski was picked up and various groups are now up in arms about the arrest, arguing that he has already served his time for a crime committed so long ago. But, really... does the time that has passed change the fact that he drugged and raped a 13-year-old girl?! People have also cited the testimony of his alleged victim, Samantha Geimer, as evidence of his deserved amnesty, as Geimer has gone on record as saying that she does not want Polanski to be prosecuted for the crime. In fact, she has argued that the media has done more harm to her than Polanski ever did.

let's talk about sex.

2009-09-29T15:25:00.006-04:00

with references to an unbelievably disturbing claims that Brits have 2.8 million indirect sexual partners, a new internet calculator developed by Lloyds Pharmacy generates the number of indirect sexual partners you have based on your age, number of direct sexual partners, your partners' ages, and self-reported averages of sexual activity. it is being referred to as your "sex degrees of separation," and if you want to give it an eye-opening try, make sure you have the stomach to handle the shocking results.
with a nod to TheFrisky, we'd like to draw attention to an article that highlights a tension that naturally arises within the arena of sexual violence. for some women, there is a hesitation to get actively involved in anti-sexual-violence efforts because they do not want to be perceived as anti-sex or anti-man. (though we feel that it should go without saying, we are compelled to point out that advocating rape prevention is not synonymous with advocating celibacy, and not all men are inclined to be violent towards women.) however, some women may feel conflicted when it comes to certain aspects of the sexual violence issue because, frankly, human beings naturally engage in fantasy--and, some women do harbor certain sexual fantasies of rape or sexual dominance. one woman's story, however, details a particularly horrifying experience in which her significant other allegedly misread her signals and forced her to have sex, claiming that he believed it was all part of the game and that he was simply fulfilling her fantasy. though expression of one's sexuality is a natural and perfectly acceptable part of being human, it just proves that both men and women tread a very fine line when it comes to communicating one's needs, expectations, and desires. in any sexual situation, whether you are in a committed relationship or not, you can never underestimate the importance of being perfectly clear in your intentions.
a recent study has found that many women rely on alcohol in sexual encounters. before we even get into the dangerous implications of these findings, there are a few shocking--and scary--statistics: 1 in 20 women have NEVER had sex while sober; 48.5% of women surveyed reported that they preferred sex with some alcohol in their system; 75% of women preferred to have a drink before a sexual encounter with even their boyfriend or husband; the average woman has had sex with 8 people but was under the influence for at least five of them, and on two of these occasions did not remember the man's name the next day; and, finally and most atrociously, 14% of women surveyed admitted that they could not FACE a sexual encounter with their significant other without having at least a few glasses of wine beforehand. it is not even necessary to delve into the dangerous effects alcohol use has when it is introduced into a sexual situation. moreover, it is extremely disturbing that women, as argued by the study, seem to be severely lacking in confidence and consistently need alcohol to boost their self-esteem and lower their inhibitions.

2009-09-28T23:34:00.001-04:00

Relational Com exam over and Dickens paper finished, all focus on GCNova prep for our first meeting this Thursday, 7pm!

Current events update tomorrow!

2009-09-24T19:59:00.001-04:00

Completely unrelated to anything but A 19-lb. BABY WAS BORN IN INDONESIA TODAY.

ick factor.

2009-09-23T17:18:00.003-04:00

Actress Mackenzie Phillips has penned a tell-all book in which she admits to an incestuous relationship with her famous father, John Phillips. It apparently became consensual as Mackenzie grew older, but.... ick.

Metcalfe is not sorry for blocking domestic violence resolution.

2009-09-23T11:07:00.005-04:00

Here's the latest on the ridiculous Rep. Metcalfe situation. In case you missed it, Metcalfe blocked a vote on a resolution to recognize October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in Pennsylvania. He alleges that his objection is rooted in the legislation's "homosexual agenda." As this blog pointed out a couple days ago, the full text of the resolution does not suggest any sort of agenda. Regardless, Metcalfe has continued to support his original contention, despite the objections of countless Pennsylvanians and many of his colleagues. Apparently, according to the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, Metcalfe is not sorry for his remarks.

Well, we're sorry for you, Metcalfe.

(Bonus: the article quotes my former boss, Rep. Babette Josephs, D-182!)

surviving date rape: a woman's story.

2009-09-22T17:51:00.006-04:00

okay, in general, i don't really know how i feel about a lot of "women's websites" out there. a lot of the time, they may do more harm than good--perpetuating beliefs, ideals, and stereotypes that do not really apply to all women. but, sometimes, there are a few good stories and articles. Every once in a while, they are written to stimulate discussion and rhetorical conversation about a given topic, like these two YourTango articles about domestic violence: the first presents a perspective on a rarely-publicized twist, when a woman is charged with battery for hitting her husband; and the second runs down a list of reasons why men may feel compelled to hit their significant others.

(in the interest of full disclosure, the second one bothers me because 1) it frames it as characteristics specific to men when obviously the first article proves that women can be batterers too, 2) because there is no cookie-cutter mold for domestic violence perpetrators, and 3) because giving reasons makes it easier for victims of violence to excuse their attacker's behavior.)

one article, in particular, details the personal story of a rape survivor. PLEASE READ IT, click here. Rape and sexual assault notoriously leaves people feeling terrified and ashamed. However, its most dangerous effect is the ability to silence its victims. So, when someone is brave enough to stand up, speak out, and give a voice to countless others who have been likewise afflicted, we can all breathe a collective sigh of relief. And, hope.

This strength is what GCNW aims to inspire in all girls and women, and what Villanova students of GCNova strive to promote as well.

"you all have got to stop calling each other sluts and whores. it just makes it okay for guys to call you sluts and whores."

2009-09-22T16:49:00.004-04:00

trust me, the Mean Girls reference is completely called for.

On September 18, the New York Times called attention to a ritual of hazing and bullying that has been going on at New Jersey's top-ranked high school, Millburn High. According to its principal, it is a tradition that has been going on for at least a decade: on the first day of school, a group of senior girls will begin circulation of the annual "slut list," targeting pretty and popular freshmen girls. Not only are the girls' names listed, but they are accompanied by "crass descriptions," and hundreds of copies are made and distributed throughout the school.

In some instances, the list is also reinforced with some physical bullying, as the article states that some freshman girls have been pushed, while others have had whistles blown in their faces, which has reportedly scared some students into staying home from school.

It's incredibly sad that stuff like this goes on. I've heard stories about boys making lists of desirable girls (and even going so far as to compete, NCAA-bracket-style, to see how quickly they can hook up with them; or, ranking girls based on their attractiveness on a week-to-week basis), but this is "girl-on-girl crime." When did it become okay for us to tear down fellow women, especially just for being beautiful or popular? Is it all just competition? We attack those we view to be a threat? Guys seem to fight these battles out on the basketball court or the football field, even in a game of chess, but we resort to name-calling and destroying other girls' reputations?

The worst part is, the principal pointed out that though there are girls who are upset to be put on the "slut list," there are students who are disappointed that they didn't make the cut. Really? Come on, ladies, have a little self-respect.

If you don't have respect for yourself, how can you expect others to respect you?

In other news...

The Annie Le murder case continues to rage on, and a CNN source has claimed that DNA evidence led to the arrest of Yale lab tech Raymond J. Clark III. Also, the authorities are now citing the murder as a result of "workplace violence"... whatever that means.
On Saturday, the body of a mother and her five children were found in their North Naples, Florida home. The husband/father, Mesac Damas, has since been arrested and is now facing first-degree murder charges. Though exact details of the murders and the condition of the bodies has not been released, the scene was described as "horrific." The only other real details being released at this point is that the murders are believed to have been "premeditated," but not necessarily planned far in advance. Additionally, there is evidence of domestic violence in the couple's marriage, as recorded by various battery and misdemeanor charges.
The case of missing freshman Pennsylvania State University student Joseph Dado has ended in tragedy, as his body was found in a stairwell yesterday evening, around 6pm. Though authorities do not suspect foul play, he seems to have suffered severe head trauma after falling 15 feet to the concrete floor below. He was last seen around 3am on Sunday morning, leaving a Phi Gamma Delta ("FIJI") fraternity house alone. His body was found not more than 75 yards away from that last sighting. Though this is not a women's-issue-related case, as college students ourselves, our hearts go out to him. It's a terrible loss for his family, friends, and the entire PSU community. Rest in peace, Joe.

CALL TO ACTION: domestic violence legislation halted in Pennsylvania House of Representatives.

2009-09-18T19:13:00.005-04:00

As I interned for PA Representative Babette Josephs (D-182) this past summer, I continue to receive some information about the legislative activity of the House. (You can, too, by visiting the official website of the General Assembly.) Today, I received an email alerting me to the fact that a simple resolution proposed to designate October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month was halted on the House floor by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe (R-12) for having a homosexual agenda. He was quoted in the CapitolWire as saying, "I protest, this is not non-controversial, and if you read the language it has a homosexual agenda."

Ummmmm, we are not quite sure how a resolution about domestic violence could possibly have any sort of homosexual agenda. But, just to give these outrageous claims the benefit of the doubt, we checked out the full text of the resolution. If anyone can see any sort of underlying theme of homosexuality or even EQUALITY, please, point it out to me because as far as I can tell, Metcalfe must have some amazing superpower that allows him to see words that are not visible to the naked eye.

According to the resolution,

One in every four women and one in every nine men will experience violence in his or her lifetime.
One in six women and one in 33 men have experienced an attempted or completed rape.
Approximately 1.3 million women and 835,000 men are physically assaulted by an intimate partner annually in the U.S.
30%-60% of perpetrators of intimate partner violence also abuse children in the home.
Intimate partner violence results in more than 18.5 million mental health care visits each year.
The cost of intimate partner violence exceeds $5.8 billion each year, $4.1 billion of which is for direct medical and mental health services.

Act now. Pennsylvanians are demanding that Metcalfe allow a vote on the resolution and apologize for his insensitive remarks. Send a message by following this link: http://www.keystoneprogress.org/page/speakout/pametcalfe1. Domestic violence is a serious issue that affects more people than we may realize. Push for a vote on the House floor, and allow October to address domestic violence in Pennsylvania.

true rape prevention.

2009-09-18T13:08:00.004-04:00

stumbled on a couple of articles today that pointed out the sometimes-condescending nature of most rape prevention tips. as many people have pointed out, the tips often focus on what women can do to change their behavior and avoid risky situations. while that sentiment is certainly valid, why does all the pressure have to be on the female? why is education about rape and assault rarely focused on males? read foolproof rape prevention tips here and here.

catching up after a whirlwind week.

2009-09-17T22:34:00.008-04:00

after four nonstop days, we finally have some time to catch up on recent headlines and GCNova developments.

On Monday, September 14, Fawziya Ammodi passed away giving birth to her first child. But Fawziya was no ordinary woman: she was a mere 12 years old. After being forced to drop out of school and marry a 24-year-old man last year, Fawziya spent three days in intense labor before she died of severe bleeding. The painful childbirth almost took the life of her baby as well. Having grown up in an impoverished family, Fawziya became a child bride--a practice that is common in the country of Yemen, where ritual customs dominate culture and societal norms. In fact, more than 50% of young girls in Yemen are married before the age of 18, sometimes to older men who already have another wife, or wives. Though many families opt to give up their daughters in exchange for large dowries or a lesser financial burden on themselves, UNICEF argues that "Girls who give birth before the age of 15 are five times more likely to die in childbirth than women in their 20s. Child marriage denies girls of their childhood, deprives them of an education and robs them of their innocence." This recent story is reminiscent of 2008 Yemeni headlines, when 10-year-old Nujood Ali was pulled out of school, married to a man, and was beaten and raped within weeks of the wedding ceremony. After running away and standing trial, Ali was eventually granted a divorce--but her fight for independence and respect continues even today. (Read the CNN report here.)
On Sunday, September 13, 2009, a body was discovered in the Yale School of Medicine building where graduate student and bride-to-be Annie Le was last spotted. Though authorities did not immediately confirm that the body was Le's, it has since been announced that Le was murdered. Her body was found strangled and stuffed in a wall. After it was discovered that the security on the building was very tight, and that only a select number of students and staff were permitted access to the rooms, Raymond Clark III was revealed as a prime suspect. Today, Clark was arrested at a Super 8 Motel. Though some acquaintances are arguing that the police have the wrong man, Clark was reported to have had an unrequited crush on Le, and records show that he was in the building at the same time as Le on the day of her disappearance. Defensive wounds and scratches were also discovered on his body. Clark, 24, was a lab technician of the school of medicine's Animal Resource Center. Fortunately, at this time, there is no evidence that Le was sexually abused before her murder.
According to CNN, 39-year-old Douglas Perlitz has been charged with 10 counts of abuse of nine boys. Perlitz, who was arrested in Colorado, has lived in Haiti for years. In Haiti, Perlitz had set up a home for needy children and served as director of Project Pierre Toussaint. According to reports, Perlitz enticed the nine boys over the course of a decade, with promises of food, shelter, and lavish gifts.

In GCNova news, our flyers have been created and will be printed for posting next week. Our first call-out meeting is scheduled for October 1, 7:00pm! Don't forget to make your VUgroups profile and join GCNova!

Yale Bride-to-Be missing; prison rape; and GCNova update.

2009-09-12T16:33:00.009-04:00

As posted last Friday, GCNW officially launched its international organization on September 4, 2009 in the UK. Please visit the GCNW official website for up-to-date information, and read a full report of the launch here.

***

the big story this week has been the mysterious disappearance of 24-year-old Annie Le, a Yale graduate student and bride-to-be. Just five days before her planned nuptials, Le disappeared. She was last seen outside of Yale's School of Medicine building, wearing a knee-length brown skirt, a bright green short-sleeve t-shirt, brown shoes, and a brown necklace. Yesterday, Yale announced a $10,000 reward for anyone who comes forward with information about the missing woman. Follow the CNN release here.

Also, the Huffington Post has released a piece by actress Christina Ricci about the importance of ensuring aid to victims of sexual assault and violence.

And, a news report released yesterday by the U.S. Department of Justice has caused quite an uproar as it found that sexual abuse of inmates by U.S. federal prison staff has doubled in the past eight years. The report also reveals that, of 257 cases discovered and referred to prosecution, only 102 were actually prosecuted, resulting in 83 convictions. Finally, the report also revealed that prison staff were willing to break many serious rules and regulations in order to inflict and/or conceal sexual abuse, including: subversion of security procedures, acceptance of bribes, provision of contraband to prisoners, and lying to investigators.

Finally, a GCNova update. Yesterday, I met with Carol Anthony of the Center for Peace and Justice Education and Maren Miller, a fellow Villanova student interested in pursuing issues of violence against women. Together, the three of us figured out a game plan for moving forward. The first call-out meeting of GCNova will take place on Thursday, October 1 at 7:00pm in the Center for Peace and Justice Education. In these upcoming three weeks, we will be working hard to reach out to students and other student organizations for collaboration, plan our future fundraising events, and publicize GCNova on campus. Also, GCNova's registration on the new VUGroups platform has been submitted for approval.

GIRL CHILD NETWORK WORLDWIDE LAUNCHES IN THE UK!

2009-09-04T10:42:00.005-04:00

Congratulations to the leaders of Girl Child Network Worldwide, as they officially launch the international organization today in the UK! The official press release is as follows:

For Immediate Release: September 1, 2009

THE OFFICIAL UK LAUNCH OF GIRL CHILD NETWORK WORLDWIDE

www.girlchildnetworkworldwide.org

On Friday, 4th of September 2009, at 3.00pm-7pm at The Essex County Hotel, Aviation Way, Southend on Sea, Essex, SS2 6UN.

CNN SELECTS BETTY MAKONI as HERO. The FOUNDER AND PRESIDENT OF GIRL CHILD NETWORK WORLDWIDE, Betty Makoni, was a victim of childhood domestic and sexual abuse in her home village in Zimbabwe. She was raped by a shopkeeper at age 6 and tragically witnessed her father murder her mother 3 years later. Betty has used her experience to empower and transform the lives of girls and young women in southern Africa by creating a girls' rights group, which has reached over 300,000 girls in Zimbabwe.

Founded in 2009, Girl Child Network Worldwide (GCNW) supports the development and empowerment of girls and works to eradicate all forms of abuse.

Betty has been awarded 14 global and local awards in her struggle for girls in Africa, which are recognized internationally. She is an Ashoka Fellow and The Women's World Summit in Switzerland recently established The Annual Betty Makoni Prize for the Prevention of Child Abuse celebrated around the world each year on the 19th of November.

Betty had to leave her native Zimbabwe after she was awoken with a start in the middle of the night by masked men breaking through the door with an axe. Fighting for girls' rights can be dangerous, resulting in her decision to relocate her young family to the United Kingdom and form Girl Child Network Worldwide.

Prior to the launch, GCNW founding trustees and international experts are convening a strategic planning meeting and will present a 5-year plan at the launch event.

progress.

2009-09-01T20:41:00.005-04:00

in the past week, there have been a lot of new developments in the progress of GCNova :)

After meeting with our adviser, Dr. Stacey Wieland, I also met with the Dr. Terry Nance of the Multicultural Affairs Office with the original intention of discussing the cultural sensitivities surrounding the work GCNova will be doing on campus. Dr. Nance, of course, gave me so much more than that. Not only does she support our mission (and offered us a place among the other information booths at the launch of this year's One Book Villanova event!), but she directed me to the office of Carol Anthony...
Carol Anthony, of the Center for Peace and Justice Education, met with me to discuss the path of forming GCNova under the umbrella of Peace and Justice--specifically, possibly under Amnesty International. By doing so, we'd be bypassing a lot of the red tape (petitions, budget proposals, etc.) that comes along with applying for recognition through Student Development. As our mission directly aligns with the principles of human rights and peace and justice, GCNova is a perfect fit.
Next Friday, September 11, we will get together a small group of supporters to discuss the details as we move forward.
After attending a VUgroups Student Leadership Conference on Sunday here at Villanova, we have made connection with various other campus groups in an effort to plan future collaborative events. These groups include Amendment One and Amnesty International. I am also hoping for future collaboration with the Alpha Chi Omega sorority (whose philanthropy focuses on domestic violence) and POWER.
We have begun soliciting declarations of intent from students, those who have a legitimate interest in joining our efforts. Though our focus is on getting as many students involved and informed as possible, I have no objections to being a small group of pure dedication and motivation, rather than a large group of inaction.
At this point, we are still aiming for a major kickoff/recruitment date of October 1, one day before the International Day for Non-Violence on October 2.

And, most exciting of all...

Leanne, our favorite GCNW trustee, has informed me that our GCNova's organization/fundraising model has been included in the information packets of the GCNW trustees at yesterday's board meeting in the UK! The official GCNW international launch is on Friday!

GCNW launch!

2009-08-30T15:47:00.002-04:00

I received an email from Leanne, a GCNW trustee, letting us know that the official launch of Girl Child Network Worldwide will take place on September 4, 2009 in the UK. Hundreds of guests, including some notables, are expected to attend. The trustees are also meeting beforehand to strategize and form a five-year plan. Best of luck and love to GCNW as they lead the way...

abductee freed after eighteen years of captivity.

2009-08-28T12:50:00.004-04:00

if you haven't been following the recent story of Jaycee Dugard, you need to be. She was just 11 years old when she abducted in 1991. After her kidnapping, she was taken directly to a hidden compound of small sheds in the backyard of Phillip and Nancy Garrido. There, she spent 18 years in isolation, raising her two children, fathered by her male captor; Phillip Garrido is a registered sex offender convicted of forcible rape. On Thursday, the near-two-decades-long mystery of Jaycee's disappearance was finally solved.

four days into the semester and it's already time to play catch-up.

2009-08-27T13:42:00.013-04:00

as wonderful as it is to finally be back at villanova, the academic schedule is already picking up rather quickly--which means, it is getting harder to find time to blog about current events. and, that also means that each post becomes longer and longer as i make up for days that i have missed. like today especially, there is a lot of ground to cover...

GCNOVA Update: On Tuesday, I met with our faculty adviser, Dr. Stacey Wieland, to brief her on the development of our organization. We discussed the background and inspiration driving GCNova, our plans for fundraising initiatives, and our operations model. Our major areas of concern right now, as we collect signatures and seek university recognition, are the cultural sensitivities surrounding this organization as well as the scope of GCNova as a whole. First, though Betty Makoni's story will forever be our initial inspiration, we do NOT want to perpetuate harmful stereotypes of African nations and the African people by placing too much emphasis on the horrific events that have happened overseas. But, at the same time, we want to pay due attention to the tragic circumstances of our fellow women in South Africa, the Congo, Liberia, etc. Second, we have to determine the breadth of the GCNova program as a whole: how far do we want to take it? By focusing solely on GCNW, are we ignoring the greater issues of sexual violence and assault around the globe? Personally, I think GCNova is an organization that can grow from its original inspirational roots just as GCNW grew out of its humble GCN-Zimbabwe beginnings. However, we must consider whether or not we would want to tackle the issue of sexual violence/assault awareness as a whole, and make this organization a HUGE presence on campus. Doing so would be a huge undertaking, possibly not something that is in the cards just yet, but would definitely be a future goal. It would also suggest that we may have to change the name of our organization from GCNova, in order to make it more accessible and open the door for us to support a variety of sexual assault awareness non-profit organizations. So, a lot to consider as we move forward...

In Athens, OH: a woman's horrific ordeal continues. Her accused rapist, New York physician Charles Nguyen, is standing trial. As the defense continues to attack the woman's credibility, arguing that the sex was consensual, they have now outrageously suggested that she should reenact the rape. They have requested that the judge allow them to set up a bed in the courtroom and have the woman demonstrate the various positions in which she was raped and assaulted--so that they can "prove" that the semen stains found in and around the bed show that the sex was repeated and consensual. Defense attorney Christopher Chan was quoted as saying, "We can show conclusively... that the positioning (of the stains) is such that it would support our theory that there was consensual sex the whole week." I think we can all collectively agree that 1) demanding an alleged rape victim to reenact probably one of the most tragic, horrific experiences of her life in front of a full courtroom is inhumane, ludicrous, cruel, and undeniably stupid; and 2) the occurrence of consensual sex in the past or at any other time is irrelevant; if in any one instance an individual says "no," and the other person disregards that dissent, any further sexual advance is considered assault.

In Sweden: apparently having sexually-transmitted infections makes men feel more manly. A new study in Sweden shows that "young men who contract diseases such as chlamydia or genital warts can come to view their infection as a badge of honor, rather than a serious health problem." Researcher Kina Hammarlund interviewed young men and women between the ages of 16 and 30 years old, and claims (sadly) that "sex is no longer a big deal for young people. It's something girls use to get boyfriends, while guys want to gain experience." As wary as we are to make broad generalizations such as this, in the college setting, it is actually quite easy to see this claim play out in the young adult dating arena. What is even more upsetting is that Hammarlund found both women and men to be hesitant of using condoms; the interview responses revealed that young women fear upsetting their male partner if they ask him to use protection, while men fear that suggesting condom use prematurely may be a sign of their overconfidence, as if they expected sex before the sexual encounter even began... In all seriousness, I hope this study is some sort of sick joke because Hammarlund's findings are truly discouraging and wholly depressing. For men to be proud of their sexually transmitted infections and for both sexes to fear condom use adds a whole other level of concern when it comes to sexual assault and violence. Besides the dangers these mentalities pose to consensual sex, they also imply that there may be many young adults that are not paying due attention to their physical and sexual health, making sex as a whole more dangerous for everyone.

Around the world: attitudes towards domestic violence are appalling. Last week, TheFrisky posted an entry highlighting the shockingly high percentages of women around the globe who think it is acceptable for their husbands to hit them. The full statistics are published here. Bosnia & Herzegovina reported a 4.9% in 2006, but Jordan posted a heartbreaking 90% in 2007.

In Tennessee: CNN posted an article today about the use of "John schools" in attempting to rehabilitate and re-educate sex offenders, specifically, men who have attempted to solicit prostitutes and pay for sex. The program aims to show the sex offenders that "this is not a victimless crime, and they are contributing to the exploitation of women." Though the schools work off of the mantra of supply and demand (women will not stop selling sex until men stop paying for it), I still think all the blame shouldn't be put on the men. Considerable resources should also be poured into education for women, to show them that one's own body and spirit should never be put up for sale. The article does point out that prostitutes are usually punished far more harshly than their customers, but punishment alone cannot solve the problem. There must be education on both sides.

Finally, RIP Sen. Ted Kennedy: though it is impossible to overlook Kennedy's scandalous history, and we would never condone his suspicious role in the death of Mary Jo Kopechne, it is also impossible to ignore his long legislative history of fighting for the rights of the often-underrepresented, including women. Among these efforts are: his commitment to the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment; his support of the Family and Medical Leave Act, which provides for job protection for parents who must take time off work to care for newborn children; tireless promotion of the Matthew Shepard Act, which strengthens hate crime laws; and his significant role in the crafting of Violence Against Women Act, which invested $1.6 billion in the investigation and prosecution of crimes against women. Rest in peace, Ted.

links worldwide.

2009-08-24T19:15:00.009-04:00

According to The Examiner, sexual assault of women by men in America's military forces is becoming a bigger issue than ever before. Legislation has been re-introduced by U.S. Representative Louise Slaughter, HR 840, which aims to enhance programs of prevention and deterrence, improve victims' services and strengthen provisions for prosecution of assailants. As quoted by the Examiner article, "A female soldier in Iraq is more likely to be raped by a fellow soldier than killed by enemy fire. A 2008 Veterans Administration study finding that one in seven female veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan seeking medical care from the VA (Office of Veterans Affairs) had suffered sexual trauma... A recent Department of Defense (DoD) report on sexual assault in the military documented over 2,900 reported cases in 2008 alone -- an increase of eight percent over 2007 reports. For troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, reported cases increased 26 percent over the previous year. Perhaps most disturbing of all is the minuscule number of documented assaults referred for trials and courts martial." Also, the writer points out that female military victims of sexual assault are commonly accused of trying to sabotage the careers of their male colleagues, and are therefore actively discouraged from bringing their attackers to justice. These brave women, as soldiers for our country, certainly deserve more respect and fair treatment than they may be receiving. Support HR 840, and write to your representatives to urge them to do the same.

In related news, empowered women in the US have formed a new Seattle charity is working to help military veteran victims of sexual assault :)

In continuing coverage of the rape crisis in Congo, US Secretary of State Clinton's recent visit to the DRC has put the spotlight on efforts to reduce sexual and gender-based violence. Specifically, Clinton announced that the US will be contributing $17 million to international efforts to achieve such goals. As cited by the Huffington Post, approximately "200,000 women and girls have been the victims of sexual violence since 1998. In 2008, UNFPA recorded that nearly 16,000 women and girls had been raped in the Congo. 65 percent of the victims were children, mostly adolescent girls... According to Human Rights Watch, rape in the Congo is increasing. Human Rights Watch visited nine conflict zones since January 2009 and in those zones, rape cases had doubled or tripled compared with last year. In over half of the cases, the victims were gang-raped by at least two or more assailants, and the youngest victim was two years old. Human Rights Watch reports that the cases of men being raped are increasing. According to figures collected by Human Rights Watch, 65 percent of the new rape cases in North Kivu were perpetrated by Congolese army soldiers." The US' financial contributions will serve to implement a program that will provide medical care, counseling, economic assistance, and legal support to victims of rape and sexual assault; fund new programs to provide mobile devices to make it easier to report abuse and share information; and, support a program to recruit and train female police officers to thoroughly investigate allegations of sexual crime and interview assault survivors.

As a fan of 'So You Think You Can Dance' (and all dance shows, movies, and music, for that matter), I was heartbroken to hear of the recent arrest and charges against choreographer Alex Da Silva. da Silva has been charged with sexual assault of four women, including counts of forcible rape, assault with intent to commit rape, and sexual penetration by a foreign object. Bail has been set at $6.2 million. Though da Silva's attorney that such a high bail is ridiculous, it is truly deserved if the allegations are found to be true.

my work shift is over so I don't have time to type anymore, but please read this absolutely ridiculous story: a doctor "threatened to withhold drugs from a patient if she refused sex."

rape culture documentary; and other news.

2009-08-23T19:42:00.004-04:00

last week, Hard Cover of Chicago released their summer documentary, which originally intended to focus on sexual assault and eventually evolved to assert a message of a prevailing "rape culture" in American society. the video is an interesting one, in which the teens and interviewees claim that sexual violence occurs as a result of society's promotion of a particular view of women, sex, and power through media, film, and music. TheFrisky presented the video in a blog entry, opening up a discussion of the documentary's claims, in which some people argued that "rape culture" is a ridiculous notion--that society cannot be blamed for our individual, personal problems and that rape occurs in other countries where such conditions are not present.

however, society is inarguably a major factor in the prevalence of sexual violence, as well as the treatment of both sexual offenders and victims. though other countries may not be confronted by the same exact problems as those presented by America's mainstream media and technology, it would be the height of hubris to assume that they are not similarly faced with challenging circumstances of their own. for instance, many different articles and reports referenced by this blog alone have pointed out the effect of tradition and history in the sexual violence epidemics in African countries. the video does a great job of making sexual violence, as an issue, accessible for the common viewer, and it also indirectly reveals the many and varied situations which may give rise to a "rape culture."

also, last week,

an adult and two teens have been charged in the beating of a 76-year-old man in Maryland, after reports indicate that the violence may have been racially motivated
in Iran, the ongoing state of violence and fear has led to horrifying allegations of kidnapping, rape, torture, and murder. Mehdi Kurabi, a high-ranking cleric and one of the founding leaders of the Islamic Revolution, has written a letter confronting Iranian leaders regarding the practice of rape and violence against prisoners. read more here.

in GCNova news, the fall semester officially begins tomorrow. as such, we will be working hard in the next few days to acquire the forms, signatures, and support necessary to become officially recognized as a university student organization. also, i will be meeting with our faculty-adviser-to-be, Dr. Stacey Wieland, on Tuesday afternoon to discuss our plans. active recruitment is tentatively planned for October 1.

apologies.

2009-08-22T19:39:00.002-04:00

i apologize for the lack of updates in the past few days; things have been hectic as i prepared to come back to villanova for the fall semester. i am thrilled to say that i am sitting in my room, it is completely furnished and decorated, and i will be back to blogging tomorrow :)

welcome back, wildcats

california indictment, assault in ardmore.

2009-08-18T21:38:00.005-04:00

today, Villanova students received a Public Safety notice to warn them of a sexual assault incident near the Suburban Square shopping area of Ardmore, PA. Just 4 miles from Villanova University, a female jogger was assaulted around 8:30PM on Monday, August 17.

in national news, an indictment has been handed down in the California case of Sandra Cantu, an 8-year-old girl who disappeared on March 27 and was found dead on April 6. A former Sunday School teacher, 28-year-old Melissa Huckaby has been convicted on charges of kidnapping, murder, and rape of Cantu. In regards to the rape charges, there have not been specific details released to the media as reports state that they are of "special circumstances... grotesque to think of."

just another manic monday.

2009-08-17T15:56:00.010-04:00

i've been putting off this update all weekend because there was too much to write about. so of course, two days later, there's even more to type. and they are all pretty bad. and by bad, i mean terrible.

well i guess we can all rest easy, now that sex workers in New Delhi, India are going to receive special training for their specific line of work: they will be receiving help with beauty, makeup, and styling so that they better serve their customers. the best part of it all is that Amzaad Habibb, who runs the salon where the training will be taking place, claims that he is proud to finally be able to give back to the society.

perhaps society would be better served if these sex workers were given opportunities to find other less dangerous ways to earn a living. the story is rather vague, but the only way this would make valid sense as "giving back to society" is if the beauty training is to provide these women with the tools to venture into a career in cosmetics or styling.

the whole thing is just bizarre.

on wednesday, august 12, the story broke about a woman who was raped at gunpoint outside of a Marriott hotel in Stamford, Connecticut. On October 10, 2006, 56-year-old repeat offender Gary Fricker threatened the then-40-year-old woman at gunpoint and forced her two children, three and five years old, into their minivan as the trio was leaving the hotel. after sexually assaulting the woman, Fricker also threatened to assault one of her children. by the end of 2007, Fricker was granted a plea deal and sentenced to 20 years in prison. in May 2008, the woman sued the Marriott for failing to notice and take action against Fricker's suspicious behavior in the days leading up to the crime. now, the hotel is issuing a counterclaim, alleging that the woman was "careless, negligent, and 'failed to exercise due care for her own safety and the safety of her own children and proper use of her senses and facilities'."

so, basically, if you're a woman leaving a hotel or any other establishment and you get suddenly attacked, held at gunpoint, and abducted, you better be able to prove you were properly exercising your 360-degree x-ray vision. because if you didn't do everything in your power at the time to stop the independent actions of another human being and prevent being brutally assaulted, you basically caused your own rape.

you have got to be kidding me. boycott Marriott, please.

7:15pm UPDATE: Marriott officials have regained their logical senses and have rescinded their blame-victim counterclaim.

friday brought news of an Afghan law that gives a husband the right to deny food to his wife if she "fails to obey sexual demands." the legislation has been quietly passed, despite international objections to an earlier version of the proposed law (which legalized rape within a marriage). the law also provides for some other crucial pieces of gender discrimination, granting sole guardianship of children exclusively to fathers and grandfathers and requiring women to get permission from their husbands to work. And, according to the U.S. charity Human Rights Watch, "it also effectively allows a rapist to avoid prosecution by paying 'blood money' to a girl who was injured" during the course of the rape.

The language of the law leaves nothing to question in terms of exploitation and mistreatment of women: "Tamkeen is the readiness of the wife to submit to her husband's reasonable sexual enjoyment, and her prohibition from going out of the house, except in extreme circumstances, without her husband's permission. If any of the above provisions are not followed by the wife she is considered disobedient."

....... seems like Afghanistan is trying to catch up with Sudan as one of the most dangerous places for women to live.

finally, some good news; the rapists charged in an absolutely brutal 2007 Florida gang rape have now gone to trial.

quiet...

2009-08-14T15:23:00.002-04:00

looks like Michael Vick's signing with the Philadelphia Eagles and President Barack Obama's health care reform efforts have taken over the news outlets today... :)

Have a beautiful weekend, everyone!

teen trades child pornography for a car.

2009-08-13T22:00:00.005-04:00

CNN has reported a mind-blowing story from Spain. An 18-year-old teenager has been arrested on child pornography, prostitution, and corruption of a minor charges after he tried to trade nude pictures in exchange for a car. As part of his attempt, he posted a sample of nude pictures online for review by the potential buyer--a 25-year-old man who had been arrested last year for allegedly using social networking sites to lure young girls into posting nude photographs of themselves online. Sick? yes. And, it gets sicker.

The photos being traded by the 18-year-old were OF HIS 11-YEAR-OLD SISTER. The article doesn't delve into how the brother even acquired naked photos of his younger sister, but no matter the method... the teen was trading his sister's dignity and innocence. For a car.

As part of the ongoing investigation, the 25-year-old man's computer is still being examined. According to reports, there are photos of approximately 50 other young girls among the man's files.

in other news within our own borders, check out these links:

a Georgia Tech professor has been arrested and charged with child exploitation charges after images were found on his work computer
even closer to home, a female jogger was grabbed and raped in Fairmount Park in Philadelphia yesterday. around 6:30pm, the woman was standing by her car when her attacker came up behind her, threatened her, and pulled her into the brush before raping her.

close to home: sex slavery in long island.

2009-08-12T14:11:00.010-04:00

i will try my best to keep it down to one post today, but no promises.

late monday night, the story broke about an alleged sex slave ring in Long Island, NY. the owners and manager of two bars in suffolk county have been slammed with forced prostitution charges. and, it's a family affair.

apparently, bar owners Antonio Rivera (a registered sex offender who had previously engaged in sexual acts with a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old) and his sister Jasmin have been operating the Sonidos de Law Frontera and the La Hija del Mariachi bars, both of which have been managed by John Whaley. on August 10, 2009, the trio "was arrested on charges of conspiracy, sex trafficking, forced labor, and alien harboring in Long Island."

to read NBC News' release, visit this link. and you can watch Nancy Grace's CNN report here.

according to news reports, the three defendants have been luring young female immigrants from Central America with the promise of successful work as waitresses and hostesses. however, once in Long Island, the young women faced a very different reality: they were forced to have sex with customers. if they refused, they were instead subject to rape and sexual assault, and were threatened with deportation if the bars' owners and manager reported them to immigration authorities.

not only were these young women mercilessly taken advantage of but, according to some reports, some of them were actually not yet of majority age. FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Joseph M. Demarest, Jr. is quoted as saying, “Forced labor is tantamount to enslavement. The form of forced labor charged here made young women, some of them minors, sex slaves. As inhuman as that was, if they resisted, they were allegedly subjected to even worse. We are committed to protecting the vulnerable, whatever their status.”

the trio is facing a whole host of criminal charges ranging from sex trafficking to forced labor, which carry maximum sentences of life imprisonment.

well-deserved, i think.

also, check out these link updates on other stories GCNova has been following:

yesterday, i posted the newest developments in the case of the gang rape in phoenix, AZ. Kyra's CNN Newsroom blog has been updated to include yesterday's on-air interview with Liberian Deputy Ambassador of Missions, Edwin Sele. watch it here, and take care to notice how Sele tries to shrug off the insensitive, ridiculous comments of the young girl's family as a mere issue of mistranslation and language barriers.
President Barack Obama, along with other international leaders and organizations, has stepped up to condemn the latest development in the case of Burmese pro-democracy activist and Nobel Peace laureate Daw Aung San Suu Kyi. for those of you who missed it, Daw Suu Kyi's verdict was finally delivered yesterday and she has, as expected, been unjustly convicted and sentenced to an additional 18 months of house arrest.

phoenix gang-rape update.

2009-08-11T14:51:00.012-04:00

sorry for the third post of the day.

CNN's Kyra is, right now, airing a story that is offering an update on the case of the 8-year-old Liberian girl who was gang-raped by four Liberian boys, aged 9 to 14, a few weeks ago. Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has reportedly sent Edwin Sele, Liberia's Deputy Ambassador of Missions, to speak with the young girl.

we are glad to see that Liberia is paying due attention to the brutal Phoenix rape, but the Deputy Ambassador's claims that the family's statements were "lost in translation" are ridiculous. the whole world heard the comments made by both the young girl's sister and mother. the sister accused the 8-year-old of "bringing trouble" and "causing confusion" among the refugee Liberian community, while the mother insisted that no one had touched her daughter, no one had raped her daughter--despite medical and scientific proof. listen for yourself, you can watch the CNN video here.

of course, it's terrible to see a child separated from her family; but, if that family is one who has expressed shame, anger, and resentment towards her for being the target of a brutal, sexual attack... then perhaps that young girl is better off. thanks to Kyra for setting the record straight, on-air, that these crimes are not tolerated in the US, and should not be tolerated anywhere else in the world. Liberia may have finally criminalized rape three years ago, and its official stance may be that sexual crimes are not tolerated; but, the words and reaction of this young girl's family betray that position. obviously, there is a deeply rooted cultural, historical, and social mentality concerning rape and sexual assault in Liberia--and many other countries, for that matter--that has gone unchecked for too long.

i'm waiting for CNN to post an updated article on the situation in Phoenix; hopefully there will be one to supplement Kyra's on-air report. if i find one, i'll be sure to post the link.

4:00PM UPDATE: Kyra posted this on her CNN Newsroom blog. according to the segment producer, her interview with the deputy ambassador should be posted soon. one comment on Kyra's blog post so far--from a commentor, Maggie--reads (unedited), "as a african myself i’m not shocked about the reaction of the family specially the sister because in my country when someone is raped they blame the victim.sometimes they say it’s because of the way the victim dressed (provocative) or she was at the wrong place all this excuses to justify why she was raped.the victim doesn’t get counseling or anything this is outraged."

(also, found via Kyra's blog some information about admitted child rapist David Harold Earls, of Oklahoma. but, i'll save that for tomorrow since i think i have officially blogged enough bad news for one day. my heart is starting to hurt.)

"they got me... i was 9 when they raped me."

2009-08-11T09:35:00.007-04:00

Wayne Drash, of CNN, released a story today detailing a photographer's interview with a young Congolese girl, the victim of a gang-rape when she was just nine years old. The story's release is timed perfectly with the efforts of US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton today, as she pressures the government of the Democratic Republic of Congo to do something about the country's out-of-control violence against women and children. (Read one reporter's take on her efforts here.)

Sherrlyn Borkgren, a photographer and freelance journalist, spent a month in DRC last year. There, she met a young, timid girl who bravely spoke up about her gang-rape by a group of Congolese soldiers. Borkgren told CNN, "These two soldiers nabbed her, put a bag over her head and pulled her into the bushes. She explains it as, 'They got me'."

According to the article, the United Nations estimates 200,000 women and girls have been raped in Congo over the last 12 years, as rape became a weapon of war when civil war broke out in Congo. A senior researcher with Human Rights Watch is quoted as saying, "It is one of the worst places in the world to be a woman or girl. These are often soldiers and combatants deliberately targeting women and raping them as a strategy of war, either to punish a community, to terrorize a community or to humiliate them." She goes on to say that rape, often perpetrated by two or more men, is sometimes carried out in front of the victim's family, in front of other children.

Drash highlights other key points in the Congo rape crisis, aided and abetted by the violence between Congo and Rwanda, quoted directly as follows:

According to the United Nations, there were 15,996 new cases of sexual violence registered throughout Congo in 2008. Nearly two out of every three rapes were carried out against children, most of them adolescent girls, the Human Rights Watch report says.
Aid groups have started to see an uptick of rapes of men this year, although women and girls remain the primary targets.
One 15-year-old girl who was held in a hole for five months and gang-raped nearly every day. She had gone out shopping when soldiers approached. "They asked me to take off my clothes, and I did. There wasn't much I could do," the girl [said]. "They took me into the bush. I stayed for five months with these people, and when I came back, I was five months pregnant."
Congo has taken some measures to try to curb the sexual violence. In 2006, its parliament passed a law criminalizing rape, with penalties ranging from five to 20 years. Penalties are doubled under certain circumstances, including gang-rape and if the perpetrator is a public official. (Ummm, does that mean rape WASN'T a crime until 2006?!)
On her travels throughout Congo, Borkgren says she once came face-to-face with soldiers when she was shopping at a market by herself. One of the men said he wanted to "take me up to his camp." She still can't shake the looks of the local women who were there. "That was interesting," she says. "When the soldiers were harassing me, the women looked ashamed of the soldiers. And when they saw me tell them, 'No, go away,' the women looked at me quite surprised."

When Borkgren found the little girl whose story would move her so deeply, they got along instantly. Her father, however, was hesitant to let the photographer into their home; he told her that, after the rape, he had gone to authorities but had received no help or even recognition. Borkgren recalls that the young girl, so innocent, was sometimes unable to describe what had happened to her. "She would say, 'I don't understand what it is, and I don't know what words to use.' It just turned my heart to think that here's this little girl who doesn't even have the words to describe what happened to her, and has to live her life having had this violence put upon her. Just this thoughtless violence that she didn't deserve or ask for. It's so inhumane."

injustice prevails in myanmar: suu kyi convicted.

2009-08-11T08:32:00.013-04:00

after multiple trial delays and months of growing protests and opposition, the Myanmar junta has finally delivered their long-expected verdict: Daw Aung San Suu Kyi, democracy rights activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate, has been convicted of breaching the terms of her house arrest and has been sentenced to an additional 18 months of detainment.

how shocking.

Check out these links: US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has demanded the unconditional release of Daw Suu Kyi; and, U2'S Bono announces Daw Suu Kyi as Amnesty International's Ambassador of Conscience 2009. I am currently drafting an amendment to Pennsylvania Representative Babette Josephs' (D-182) HR420, adding for the imposition of economic sanctions against Myanmar until such time as Daw Suu Kyi, John William Yettaw, and other political prisoners are released.

the junta attempted to seem compassionate and forgiving by reducing their original sentence of three years to the year-and-a-half confinement, which is significantly less than the maximum five-year prison sentence that Daw Suu Kyi faced throughout the trial. they gave various reasons for the easement, including Daw Suu Kyi's famous, beloved father; the military's fear of anger and instability as it prepares for next year's democratic elections; and, a desire to prevent further division among Myanmar's citizens.

but it's all just propaganda. Daw Suu Kyi has been detained, on and off, since 1989. though her political democratic party won Myanmar's general election in 1990, making Daw Suu Kyi the rightful Prime Minister-elect, the junta refused to hand over power and nullified the election results. now, after Daw Suu Kyi's unjustified arrest and resulting trumped-up show trial, her confinement has been extended once again... and will effectively keep Daw Suu Kyi from next year's general election if she is to serve the full 18 months.

not that such a blatantly unjustified sentence would even been necessary, since the junta has already stated that citizens who bore children with foreigners are ineligible for election. (Daw Suu Kyi married a British man and has two sons with him; she would be kept from next year's elections anyway.) well obviously, when you have a government so uniformly corrupt with absolute stupidity, you wouldn't want to taint it with new, foreign, or legitimate perspectives. seriously?

the junta has recognized the power of Daw Aung San Suu Kyi--her quiet composure, grace, firm conviction, and call for peace. they think by locking her up, they will keep her supporters down. what they have done instead, however, is incite the global community and drawn attention to their own unjust governing practices. U2's Bono said it best, "Her crime is that if she were to participate in elections, she'd win." the junta has revealed their own overwhelming fears; let their verdict be a rallying cry for all people who value democracy, free opinion, and the power of voice.

Daw Suu Kyi's US-based lawyer said, "The outcome of this trial has never been in doubt," Genser said. "The real question is how the international community will react. Will it do more than simply condemn this latest injustice?"

take action now. Visit Amnesty International to petition for the release of Myanmar's prisoners of conscience. it takes no more than five minutes; you can either use the basic email template provided or add your own personal message. take five minutes, to end a decades-long, unjust confinement of an incredible woman... and the mistreatment of all Myanmar's prisoners of conscience.

following women worldwide: sudan, usa, mexico, and myanmar.

2009-08-10T09:10:00.008-04:00

relatively quiet weekend, hope everyone had a safe one.

in keeping up with the Sudanese "Trouser Trial," found a few links to keep you updated on the story. you can read more here and here. lubna hussein's story has incited a growing discussion of women's rights around the world. as this article points out, "Lubna has stripped her punishment of all its power and turned the tables spectacularly. If ultimately she is flogged her "martyrdom" will be complete – if she is found innocent the government will be humiliated and public order laws made a mockery of."

also, would like to draw attention to this blogpost by the Feminist Peace Network. we are not familiar with the issue of "femicide" as detailed by the post; however, it is apparently a growing concern around the world. and, it is also right in our own backyards. on august 5, george sodini walked into a Pittsburgh, PA LA Fitness and opened fire on a women's aerobics class. the shooting occurred after a year of planning, detailed in his online blog along with his rants about his perceived "mistreatment" by women throughout his life.

and today, take a minute and please say a prayer, meditate, spread the word, or whatever it is you can do for the lost young women of Juarez. we have been following this story for a few weeks and there seems to be no answers yet.

finally, Daw Aung San Suu Kyi's trial is set to resume (for like, what, the sixth time this summer maybe?) tomorrow, August 11. (given the time difference, it probably is being considered right now.) her verdict, which has long been anticipated to be a unjust "guilty," is expected. of course, if history is to repeat itself for yet another time, we would not be surprised if the junta delayed the trial again. just like they delayed her detainment stay for 19 years.

sidenote: I researched and drafted a House resolution--HR420--regarding the unconditional release of Suu Kyi for my boss, Representative Babette Josephs (D-182) for the PA General Assembly. despite the fact that it is a time-sensitive issue and should be non-controversial, the resolution was sidelined due to the budget crisis/circus and was referred to the Intergovernmental Affairs committee on July 20, 2009... where it will probably be forgotten until Suu Kyi is already released/murdered. honestly, the legislative process is a ridiculous one.

in GCNova news, we have begun putting together a powerpoint presentation for Fall recruitment and info sessions. and, figuring out orders for silicone bracelets from Reminderband.

two weeks until the start of Fall semester! :)

happy friday, kiddies!

2009-08-07T09:00:00.012-04:00

still so excited about yesterday's news... :)

I wanted to give an update on this post from last week, about Sudanese journalist Lubna Hussein, who was arrested and threatened with 40 lashes for wearing pants in a public cafe. As if the story wasn't disturbing enough, new details have emerged in the past week. Two days ago, the NYTimes posted an opinion piece from a reporter (who must remain unnamed for safety, as she is still in Sudan) who got a rare chance to speak with Hussein about the ordeal. Though Lubna was set to face her trial and verdict earlier this week, the trial has been postponed (for the second time) until September.

Among the new details is the mention of other women who were arrested along with Hussein; in fact, they were young schoolgirls under the age of 18. Not only were they under the standard age of majority, but they were also of the Christian faith, not Muslim. So, technically, "public morality" laws of Sudan are not supposed to apply to them. Regardless, the families of the schoolgirls did not have the money to bail them out of jail, nor were they able to provide the young girls with legal representation. They were not as lucky as Lubna; according to the NYT's writer, "For the remaining ten... immediate flogging in order. One of the schoolgirls was so terrified she wet her pants before her flogging began."

The comments made on the NYT piece echo some of the ideas in GCNova's original blog post. Religion, is a choice, belief, and passion of the soul. As such, it should never be mandated or enforced by any government or police authority. Lubna is quoted as saying, "What I wear is about the relationship between me and my God. Show me what paragraph of the Quoran, or quote my Prophet Mohammed saying it is the responsibility of the government to punish people in this way... If someone does dress in an unsuitable way, it is to God that she has to answer."

Lubna has refused the diplomatic immunity offered to her as a UN staffer; instead, she has resigned her position and will go to trial in the hopes that the media attention drawn to the issue will bring about change in Sudan's laws and treatment of women.

The NYT reporter closes with these words: "In a country where accepting the status quo is taken by many to be a pre-requisite to survival, and in a world where high-minded principles often fall casualty to self-interest, Lubna's actions make her something of a rarity. But as was clear from her well-wishers at [the cafe], she is not alone in believing that she is right to challenge this law."

She's not alone, and neither are we :)

PS- As a summer intern for the Representative Babette Josephs (D-182) of the Pennsylvania General Assembly, I was able to bring this issue to the attention of my boss. I'm now working on research of the issue in order to prepare a House Resolution, urging the UN to ensure the proper treatment of Lubna and other Sudanese women.

Couple of other stories worth mentioning...

Uganda is seeking to ban miniskirts because they're apparently comparable to running around naked, and also a major cause of traffic accidents. Apparently, wearing a miniskirt automatically invites someone to sexually harass and assault you. This is not only ludicrous, but insulting to men as well, as Uganda's ethics and integrity minister claims that Uganda men are "weak" and just can't help being distracted and crashing their cars upon seeing a woman bare her legs. Um, seriously? Read about it here.

And, visit this CNN story about growing protests of Burundi's homosexuality laws. In the east African nation, it is actually illegal to be homosexual; violation of the law can result in up to 2 years in prison. And no, it is not an ancient, archaic law. It was enacted this April.

In less serious news, finalized a tshirt design last night that I absolutely love. It incorporates all the colors of the Zimbabwe flag and sends a definite message. The front displays three less-admired generalized qualities of young people, and the back proudly announces the truth about the power of youth. So, as we come towards you, you might see just a couple of young kids... but as you watch us leave, you'll realize we definitely left our mark.

GCNova update.

2009-08-06T17:37:00.006-04:00

GCNova's organization/fundraising model has been distributed by GCNW trustees to other student volunteers and universities, for adoption and adaptation!

Let's show everyone what Villanova can do, and hope that other young activists are inspired along the way :)

Don't forget to read yesterday's "it's our time" post...

men raping men.

2009-08-05T12:08:00.003-04:00

New developments in Congo rape crisis: read the NYTimes article here.

young villanovans, it's our time.

2009-08-05T08:51:00.018-04:00

it's easy for a university to fall into that "bubble" trap--where it becomes apparent that the only world its students are aware of is the one occurring within their own 5-mile radius. with classes, campus events, friendship drama, and relationship troubles, it's not hard for students to get wrapped up in themselves and their own lives.

but villanova, luckily, is not one of those schools. with the city of philadelphia just twelve miles away, it is impossible to forget that the campus is just one of many throughout the united states, and that the united states is just one country in an expansive global community. it is a school where major newspapers are available, free of charge, to all students; and, a school where those students actually pick them up and read them. it is a school committed to service, charity, and compassion. whether you are the occasional volunteer, the habitual fundraiser, the weekly child mentor, or the passionate Habitat for Humanity trip coordinator, you can bet each Wildcat has at least a modicum of dedication to helping others. it is a community of which anyone would be proud to play a part.

which is why GCNova has the overwhelming potential to not only succeed, but thrive. this is an organization that has identified a social illness, a ravaging epidemic, and a cry for help. though we cannot contribute physical manpower in south africa or in GCNW's headquarters in the UK and California, we can play our part with vocal advocacy and fundraising. we can help bring attention to an often overlooked, underexposed, underestimated crisis. we are a university of approximately seven thousand undergrads. that's seven thousand voices we have available to us. and if we can raise those voices to cheer for our Wildcats as they make it all the way to Detroit's Final Four appearance in the 2009 Men's NCAA Tournament, we can surely lift them a little--or a lot--for the silenced women in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Liberia, and around the globe.

And even if you are inclined to stay confined within your own little bubble, don't forget that these issues have the power to encroach upon your life as well. it is not as difficult a stretch for girls to imagine how their life may be turned upside down by sexual assault; in fact, many college girls have had an experience of sexual assault already. but for the men, just imagine if it was your mother, your sister, or a close friend who could no longer bear the thought of facing others for fear of shame, who has had her innocence violently stripped away from her without care, who could no longer look forward to the prospect of having children one day, who now faced a future of endless medical treatments and certain premature death because she has been viciously infected with HIV/AIDS. imagine if you met a woman one day, fell hopelessly in love with her, and then found out she could no longer fully accept a man into her life because she was once abused and violated and never healed from her wounds. would you not want to do everything in your power to help these women, to give them life again?

Many young people think that they don't have the power to make a difference. They think that their dollars can't do much, and their voices will be stifled. How can you stop rape? Educate, inform, and empower. These are things that we all have the power to do. If anything, now is our time. As we leave our teenage years behind and look to our futures, how can we ignore the world which we stand to inherit? We are young, we are bold, and we have power. Our generation helped to elect the United States of America's first African American president; and whether you supported President Barack Obama or not, you cannot deny that the day was not a monumental, historic, unforgettable one. For the youth of America, it was a triumphant announcement of our arrival; we had exercised our rights and we had made a difference.

We can make a difference again. And again, and again. To be young is not to be at a disadvantage; if anything, we have the upper hand. We are still naive, we are impressionable, and we are innocent. We have not been hardened by rejection, failure, or cynicism. We have vision, dreams, and lofty goals. And, our young age means we have years ahead to try and try again. So grab hold of your ambitions, no matter how impossible they may seem, and chase them down with all the strength your youth has blissfully given you.

Our dream is to fight for the protection of women's and children's rights, to eliminate sexual violence, and to raise up the survivors of abuse to a place where they can feel powerful, strong, and happy once more.

Contact me today to learn how you can get involved.

All the best,
Jessica
jessica.lu@villanova.edu; gcn.nova@gmail.com

"all it takes is one good man to cure you of being a lesbian."

2009-08-04T09:54:00.007-04:00

Apparently, there is something more dangerous than being a woman in South Africa: being a homosexual woman.

On July 29, BBC published an incredibly disturbing article about the current rape crisis in South Africa, which GCNova has already understood to be completely out of control. The article, however, exposes a new element to the country's tragic situation: corrective rape, or the rape of a homosexual woman in order to either "punish or correct" her sexual preferences and/or behavior. Apparently, "The thinking is, all it takes is one good man to cure you of being a lesbian."

You have got to be kidding me. Any world in which a rapist is described as a "good man" is a world I do not want to live in.

The article also delves into the general issue of gang rape in South Africa, shedding new light on the "macho mentality" that has perpetuated the epidemic. For the men, it has become something like a game, with its own leader--the "marhasimani." The article quotes a young man as defining the term, "A marhasimani is someone who goes to the club, buys a woman a few beers, then with his friends, he would take that woman and go away and have sex with her." Other sources detailed the process, saying that "the friends hide under the bed until the first man is finished and has left the room, then they take turns having sex with the woman, pretending to be the first man. 'The room is dark and the girl is not even going to notice if it's the second guy sleeping with her'."

If that is not sickening enough, the boys vehemently deny that what they are doing is gang rape. Instead, they cite the high cost of buying drinks, the "awareness" of their victim, and the claim that yeah-sometimes-we-have-to-drug-her-but-it-doesn't-happen-all-the-time as justification.

Watch this Youtube video.

The issue is gaining exposure as the courts in South Africa hear the case of Eudy Simelane, an openly gay football star and one of South Africa's leading sportswomen. Let us hope for a conviction and justice for Simelane, as well as the precedent for bringing other corrective rapists to justice in South Africa's future.

following women worldwide: north korea, myanmar, and china.

2009-08-04T09:13:00.006-04:00

Former POTUS Bill Clinton has headed to North Korea, hopefully with intentions to secure the release of journalists Laura Ling and Euna Lee. Back in June, the two reporters, of the California-based media venture Current TV of former Vice President Al Gore, were arrested and sentenced to 12 years in prison for illegally crossing the China/North Korea border. As the US does not have diplomatic ties with North Korea, the fight to liberate Ling and Lee has been a difficult one. Formerly, the Obama administration had been working for the young women's release on "humanitarian grounds," but have since dropped that effort in favor of working towards amnesty--or, forgiveness for the offense. Hopefully, Clinton's presence in North Korea and a possible meeting with N. Korean leaders can bring about the safe return of the journalists.

UPDATE: Ling and Lee were pardoned by North Korean leader Kim Jong Il on August 5, 2009 local-date time. The girls are coming home! Read more here.

The verdict of Myanmar democracy activist and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Aung San Suu Kyi has been delayed... AGAIN. Reminiscent of the way the junta kept prolonging her detainment over, and over, and over, and OVER again since 1989, isn't it? Last Friday's hearing, at which her verdict was expected to be announced, lasted "about 30 seconds" before the judges gave another trumped-up excuse (of "other considerations") for delaying the verdict once more. Now, the date has been set for August 11. Despite the obvious discrimination and "show trial" aspect of the whole ordeal, it remains a beautiful fact that Suu Kyi has remained poised and apparently optimistic. The woman is a warrior.

Finally, Newsweek has published an article about the uprising of women in China. It is always an amazing thing to see people, especially women who have long been wrongly purported to be the weaker of the sexes, stand up against discrimination. Of particular note is the article's references to the ongoing prostitution and sex industry in China, as it contributes to the exploitation of women.

click to support victims of domestic violence.

2009-08-03T20:53:00.005-04:00

I know TheFrisky is undeniably a girly guilty pleasure, but the fact that CNN links to it all the time legitimizes it in my mind :)

Recently, the site posted an article to promote support for Safe Horizons, a NYC-based domestic violence program. The organization is currently in a competition for a $100,000 grant. Vote for Safe Horizons by heading over to ClicktoEmpower.com and clicking on "Safe Horizons." While you're at it, you could also check out Frisky's article about victims of domestic violence.

updates on GCNova and South Africa.

2009-08-03T14:45:00.011-04:00

things are moving along with GCNova as we prepare for the upcoming semester...

Student organization petition forms for University recognition have been acquired and prepped for submission when the semester commences on August 24, 2009 (3 weeks!)
We have been preparing and tweaking t-shirt designs. Right now, we are leaning towards one uniform t-shirt for the whole organization. Tentatively, it will be a simple, black tee featuring a Lupe Fiasco verse from the track, "Real," from his 2007 Lupe Fiasco's The Cool album--personally designed at CustomInk.com. GCNova officers will also be receiving their own personalized TeamGCNova tees.
Ordering personalized GCNova silicone bracelets (the ones popularized by Lance Armstrong and the Livestrong campaign) in black or green (as the other colors from Zimbabwe's flag--yellow and red--are already spoken for by other widespread activism campaigns)
Been in contact with Leanne Grossman, a trustee of the Girl Child Network Worldwide. Leanne is thrilled about our plans for GCNova and has asked to share our fundraising initiatives and organization model with other universities who are also looking to form their own GCNW student support groups--specifically, one in Canada.
Secured a verbal commitment from Villanova University Communication professor, Dr. Stacey Wieland, to act as GCNova's faculty adviser. Wieland received her B.A. from Calvin College, secured a M.A. from the University of Southern California, and earned her Ph.D. from the University of Colorado. Though her academic work and publications have focused most on organizational communication, Wieland also devotes study to issues of culture, identity, gender, and globalization. GCNova also hopes to work closely with several professors from the Gender Studies and Africana Studies departments.

In other news, the South Africa Project posted information last week about recent rape reports in South Africa. Though GCNova became aware of the shocking South Africa Medical Research Council study--and its findings that 1 in 4 men surveyed had admitted to perpetrating some form of sexual assault--when they were released by various news outlets (Time, Huffington Post, BBC, etc.) in early June, this post reveals additional shocking numbers, directly quoted below...

The police statistics show 86 women and 64 minor girls being raped each day.
30% of adolescents stated that their first sexual encounter was based on rape.
The reported number of rapes per year is 55,000. The University of South Africa estimates that the real number is around 1 million. If this number is correct one woman in South Africa is forced to have sex every 30 seconds.
16% of South African men that know a rape victim believe that she wanted to have sex and actually enjoyed it.
ActionAid states that out of 25 men that are accused 24 are being acquitted.
Most adolescents in South Africa don’t even know the definition of rape.
Of the 1738 men men surveyed: 25% of the men admitted to having raped a women at least once; 75% of the men were younger than 20 at their first rape; 50% of the rapists have done it more than once; 20% of the rapists were HIV positive; 10% of the rapists stated that they were 10 or younger at their first rape.
A study of the NGO CIET Trust showed that 40% of the students below 18 years of age have been raped at least once. 20% of these rapes were done by their teachers.

If you need any more motivation to speak up, take action, and support Girl Child Network Worldwide and other human rights organizations, just look at the numbers.

she wore pants; and phoenix case sheds light on social illnesses.

2009-07-29T19:51:00.009-04:00

Check out this story. A Sudanese journalist has been accused of indecency and is facing conviction, a fine, and 40 lashes for wearing pants in a restaurant with 12 other women.

For wearing pants.

I understand that different religions have their own codes of conduct, appropriate behavior, rites, rituals, et cetera. Perhaps it has been the blessing of living in a country which promotes a separation of church and state (arguable), but I cannot imagine the possibility of being punished for my clothing choices by police authorities on the grounds of religion. If long pants are indecent, I--along with the majority of young women I see on a daily basis--should have been put in jail since the age of four.

Religion, while an undeniable and integral part of millions of people's lives, remains a choice. And, the truth is that we pick and choose which parts of our religions to follow and which to ignore. Despite our best intentions, I don't think anyone can truly say that they have followed every religious guideline set forth by his or her faith. As human beings, we have the right to choose what we believe and how we apply those beliefs. For a woman, or a man for that matter, to be criminally accused of disobeying her religion is ridiculous. Religion cannot and should not be mandated. It is a passion of the heart, faith of the soul. The day that government authorities have the absolute power to control those emotions is a day I never want to live to see.

In keeping up with the latest on the 8-year-old's brutal assault in Phoenix, Arizona, CNN today published a story that sheds light on the rape crisis in Liberia--where rape has been used as a way to spread terror and fear--as something that "happens every day in every community." According to a 2004 UN report, an estimated 60%-70% of Liberian women have been sexually assaulted. Later, in 2006, a government briefing reported a staggering 92% of women surveyed had admitted to being the victim of some sort of sexual violence. Tania Bernath, of Amnesty International, claimed that there have been cases in which a wife was raped in front of her husband. Such violence has been used to such an extent, Bernath testified, that it has become "normalized" in Liberia.

The article exposes the rape culture in Liberia as it is linked to the war history of the struggling nation, describing it as a home where "it was once commonplace for children as young as 7 or 8 to be forced into duty--the boys handed rifles and while the girls were made to perform chores or serve as sex slaves."

The one bright point of the article remains the inspiring story of Beverly Goll-Yekeson, a native Liberian and sexual violence survivor who now fights for rights of other Liberian women. Though she points out that Liberia, as a country, does condemn rape, the fact remains that the crime is widely unreported due to the reactions of victims and their families. "Rape," she says, "is not something that people just come out and say."

While it may be easy for some to write off Liberia's rape crisis as a unique case, reason demands otherwise. Just like the women of Liberia, victims of sexual violence in America are just as apt to hide their assaults--not to protect the perpetrators, but to protect themselves from shame and embarrassment. This phenomenon, this misplaced self-blame of the victim is not a problem localized to just one country or even the continent of Africa. It is a universal reaction to an act of violation; to have had something taken of you, of your very being and person, is a vicious robbery that leaves many victims feeling helpless, confused, and oftentimes ashamed. As Yekeson pointed out, there are a variety of social illnesses--not just in Liberia, but throughout the world--and changing women's mindset is one of our first obstacles in tackling the rape crisis worldwide.

liberia decries phoenix family's reaction.

2009-07-26T11:13:00.004-04:00

For the latest on the gang rape of the 8-year-old girl in Phoenix, Arizona, click here.

Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

"i'm going to tell her, don't ever do that again"

2009-07-24T10:03:00.019-04:00

Yesterday, the story broke about an 8-year-old girl who was lured to a vacant shed in Phoenix, Arizona, where she was then restrained and sexually assaulted by four young boys.

On July 16, the four boys, aged 9 to 14, allegedly lured the young victim with chewing gum. The boys have been charged with counts of sexual assault and kidnapping, and the 14-year-old is being charged as an adult. Though authorities did not release information on the young girl's condition on Wednesday, they have called this case "one of the worst they have investigated in many years."

Apparently, the young girl and her attackers are all from Liberia refugee families, who had fled the violence and tragedy of the war-torn West Africa nation.

What may be even more tragic than the brutal attack on this young girl is the reported treatment of the victim by her family following the attack. She was placed in the custody of child protective services because her parents felt that she had brought shame and embarrassment upon the family. The young girl's 23-year-old sister, who had been babysitting her at the time of the incident, confirmed the family's attitudes in a television interview. saying, "When she comes back I'm going to tell her don't ever do that again because all of us, we are the same family, we are from the same place. Now she is just bringing confusion among us. Now the other people, they don't want to see her."

To read CNN's latest on the case, click here.

This tragedy is undoubtedly one of the worst in recent years. For an 8-year-old girl to have been brutally sexually assaulted by not one, but four, boys is almost unimaginable. What's even worse is that these boys, from a country in which rape was not considered a crime until 2006, were truly just BOYS--between the ages of 9 and 14. Nothing is more devastating than youth-on-youth crime.

The publicity being generated by this case may turn out to be a double-edged sword. Of course, any attention to a sexual assault case can be good for the movement in general--it remains a sad fact that we are often ignorant of a problem until we are exposed to it. However, the fact that the victim and her attackers are from Liberia may present another challenge: a quick, false assumption that the rape crisis is an isolated, contained problem stemming from the culture and traditions of African nations. While there are many nations throughout Africa that seem to struggle more intensely with issues of sexual assault and child violence, it is simply ignorant to exclusively assign the problem to the people of Africa. THE RAPE CRISIS IS WORLDWIDE. Rape occurs everywhere, every day, among women, men, and children. Hopefully, this tragedy will call attention to that reality.

The most disturbing part of this story, however, remains the family's attitudes towards their young girl. To blame an 8-year-old, the victim of a vicious sexual assault, is absolutely ridiculous. In her TV interview, the victim's older sister seemed to empathize more with her sister's attackers, because they "are all the same people." While I firmly support a sense of family and community among people of similar backgrounds, it is simply outrageous to condemn your own innocent, child sister for falling prey to such a violent, unwarranted crime. It has been reported that the young girl's father told authorities, "Take her, I don't want her." To say that this 8-year-old girl has shamed her family is the most heartbreaking thing of all...

Ready, set, go!

2009-07-23T22:32:00.012-04:00

Welcome to the home of GCNova, a student collaborative advocacy group devoted to raising awareness and financial support for the Girl Child Network Worldwide (GCNW)!

MISSION:

To raise awareness and promote understanding of women’s issues—specifically of rape, sexual abuse, and exploitation—at Villanova University and in our students’ own respective communities

To combat the “blame culture” which pins the culpability for sexual crimes on the actions and behavior of the victim

To support the Girl Child Network Worldwide and its Girl Child Network Trust Fund UK, founded by Betty Makoni and Priscilla Nyathi, through financial contributions, fundraising, and vocal advocacy

To advocate the funding of accurate, up-to-date research in the areas of HIV, AIDS, sexually-transmitted infections, accidental pregnancy, rape, and sexual crimes

To encourage student advocacy and stewardship on local, national, and global levels, not only in regards to women’s rights and health, but to all social, civic, racial, gender, and economic injustices being perpetrated around the world