She might be famous but she suffers domestic violence and abuse just like any other child and woman. Rihanna talks about growing up in an abusive family and witnessing her father abusing her mother. In her adult life, she suffers abuse in her own relationship with Chris Brown. She went back to Chris Brown after he physically abused her. Now she realizes her mistake. She's afraid she might have sent the wrong message to kids who look up to her. In sharing her story, she shows incredible courage and strength.
Recently in Violence Against Women & Children Category
Chris Brown apologizes to the public about the incident in February involving Rihanna. Without going into details, he talks about being exposed to domestic violence growing up. He says his behavior towards Rihanna was inexcusable. He's seeking help and asks the public, his fans, for forgiveness. Whether he is truly sorry or not, his case highlights the fact that domestic violence can happen to anyone, regardless of class and race. When we encounter it in our lives or in the lives of those around us, what matters most is what we do about it, how we respond. There is no excuse for violence.
On New Year's night in Saint Petersburg, a father and former boxer witnessed the abuse of his 18-year-old stepson by an alleged pedophile. He flew into a rage and beat the man to death. He is one heroic father, some would say, but he's still accountable to the law for his action. Though given the circumstances, his murder charges may be reduced. The father's only concern is the well-being of his stepson. He's one lucky son.
Feminism still plays a vital role in today's society when intimidation, hatred and misogyny govern female behavior in real life and online. The blogosphere merely reflects the gender struggle between men and women. Sierra, author of Creating Passionate Users, discusses and shares her death threats and sexually explicit comments she has received and found in other prominent blogs. She chronicles a pattern of intimidation through death threats that include throat slitting, hanging and suffocation. One post displayed a picture of her next to a noose. The misogyny and threat terrorized her into canceling her public appearances and isolating herself in her home.
Terror and intimidation cannot be tolerated in any form. Any suggestion of death is not protected speech. It saddened me to see a fellow female blogger being terrorized by death threats and subjected to such misogyny. It reminds me that none of us are immune to violence against women. Sierra believes that she is targeted for being a female operating in a male-dominated technology space.
I say all the more reason for female bloggers to continue blogging and speaking out against hatred and misogyny. Carving any space for females in a male-dominated world poses a struggle, but it's a fight worth fighting. I support Sierra in coming forward with the misogynistic campaign against her. I share in her outrage. Read more.
WWII seems like ancient history, but the pain and suffering endured by the comfort women or sex slaves can still be felt by a whole nation. China wants Japan to take responsibility for forcing up to 200,000 women, mostly Chinese and Korean, into sexual slavery. Japanese Prime Minister Abe opened up the wound when he questioned whether comfort women were coerced into sexual slavery. He didn't seem to take into consideration that demand drives supply. The use of women as sex slaves is a fundamental violation of human rights.
Regardless of Japan's action or thought about their war history, the individual suffering and experience of comfort women remind us of the horrors and casualties of war that exist beyond the battlefield. The female survivors of sexual slavery are the unsung heroes of war. Let's celebrate their hope and courage. Read more.
Physical and sexual child abuse can happen to anyone, of any racial background. China uncovers the depth of the problem in a survey backed by Unicef and carried out by the All China Women's Federation. Hopefully, once the problem is out in the open, steps will be taken to alleviate the mental and health problems that could result from the abuse. Read more.
Rape is a constant threat felt by most women. It's a gender-related crime of the human race. In the the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo, women are gang-raped by Rwandan soldiers who would then shoot into the vagina of the women they ravaged. To shoot into the vagina is to annihilate womanhood. The survivors seek the help of gynecologists for reconstructive surgery to repair their private part, but the emotional damage lingers long after the physical pains subside.
Some women view rape as a strategy of war, used as a weapon to decimate them. It's part of the extermination of a group of people. Women end up paying the price. The violence stigmatize and shame those who survived. They need more than medical care to ease their pain. Read more.
Yet again, a religious leader has been accused of the most heinous crime against humanity. Behind his cloak of authority and holiness, he allegedly raped Japanese elementary girls repeatedly. The perpetrator is Tamotsu Kin, 61-year-old chief reverend of a Christian cult called Seishin Chuo Kyokai. He claims to be "God's Chosen One," and in that guise, he committed violence against trusting children. It's never too early to talk with our children about sexual violence in the world. We can't always be there to protect them. As adults, we have a responsibility to teach them to take care of themselves. And help them heal if they have been victimized by predators all around us. Read more.
"He referred to sex as 'God's Benediction' and, 'An act to test the heart of believers,' condemning them to 'Hell and damnation' if they refused to abide by his will."
I thought he was the brother of famous Dutch artist Vincent Van Gogh. He said he's the great grandson of Theo Van Gogh. His name is also Theo Van Gogh. He was murdered at age 47 by what police believe to be a 26-year-old man with both Dutch and Moroccan nationality. Van Gogh had made a film, "Submission," which aired on Dutch television in August. The film was not well received by the Muslim community in Netherlands. The film is a fictional story exploring violence against women, specifically a woman in an abusive, violent marriage. She was raped by a relative and punished for adultery. Typical themes for what life might be like for women in Muslim countries.
He's a supporter of women and feminism for dealing with women's issues. It's sad that he should lose his life for speaking freely. Perhaps that's why we have to all speak freely, to not be intimidated into silence. I appreciate Theo Van Gogh for breaking the silence on violence against women, for encouraging discourse. The fact that he enraged the Muslim community is a start. Ironically, his murder only brings more attention to the oppression that Muslim women must endure in countries that do not tolerate free speech or respect women's rights. Read more.
French student, Amelie Delagrange, was only 22 years old when she was brutally murdered. Few of her possessions, her keys, purse, and Sony Walkman were found in the river. Police have staged a reconstructin of her last movements before she was killed in London, hoping to find Amelie's killer. The same predator might have attacked another woman nine months ago. Read more.
