The Obama administration plans to conduct a large study on female genital mutilation to try to assess how many girls and women in the US are at risk or have experienced the practice.
‘Revenge Rape’ in India Leads to Three Arrests
A man in eastern India was arrested for allegedly raping a 14-year-old girl this week in “retaliation” for the girl’s brother having allegedly sexually assaulted a woman.
New York Women’s Equality Act Stalled For A Second Time
Although the State Senate passed nine planks of the WEA as separate bills, the full act ultimately did not move forward because Senate Republicans opposed a provision that would codify Roe v. Wade.
Strong Support For IVAWA and CEDAW in Senate Hearing
Dozens of students, organizations, concerned citizens and U.S. Senators packed the small hearing room in Dirksen early this morning to show support for IVAWA and CEDAW–two critical tools the US hasn’t taken action on in years.
Senate Subcommittee to Tackle Violence Against Women Globally
To date, 187 countries support this international agreement to reduce violence and discrimination. The US isn’t one of them. Tomorrow’s hearing could be an opportunity to redeem that standing.
UK Religious Groups Unite to Condemn Female Genital Mutilation
“No girl or woman should ever be forced to choose between her safety and her religious community and tradition and it is our sacred obligation to be just agents of change against this unjust practice.”
American Apparel CEO Dov Charney Fired Following Sexual Misconduct Allegations
Following sexual misconduct allegations, American Apparel’s founder and Chief Operating Officer Dov Charney has been fired.
Senate Set to Approve Rape Kit Backlog Funds
The Senate today is expected to approve $41 million in funding to process hundreds of thousands of untested rape kits across the country.
Global Summit to End Sexual Violence in Conflict Convenes This Week
British Foreign Secretary William Hague and actress and United Nations special envoy Angelina Jolie are co-chairing the event, the largest ever of its kind.
Veterans Groups File Lawsuit Alleging Discrimination Against Military Sexual Assault Survivors
The lawsuit alleges that the VA makes military sexual assault survivors who are suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) go through more procedural hurdles than other veterans to receive disability benefits.
White House Campus Sexual Assault Task Force Releases First Report
To compile “Not Alone: The First Report of the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault,” The Task Force used recommendations it gathered from a wide variety of people during a 90-day review period.
Dartmouth President Calls For Changes In Wake of Federal Sexual Assault Investigation
Dartmouth College President Phil Hanlon gave a powerful speech Wednesday night calling for significant changes on campus in light of its high rates of sexual assault, high-risk drinking, and discriminatory social scene.
Students and Activists Demand Sexual Assault Reform at Dartmouth
Thousands of people are calling on Dartmouth College to improve its sexual assault policies after a student whose name appeared in a “rape guide” on a student-run website was sexually assaulted.
Senate Passes Limited Military Sexual Assault Reform Bill
Only a few days after the Senate blocked the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA), it unanimously approved a bill that proposes several different reforms to combat sexual assault in the military.
Domestic Violence Program Survey Demonstrates Need For More Resources
“Every day in this country, victims of domestic violence are bravely reaching out for help, and it’s essential that they have somewhere safe to go.”
Senate Blocks Military Justice Improvement Act
“I always hoped we could do the right thing here – and deliver a military justice system that is free from bias and conflict of interest – a military justice system that is worthy of the brave men and women who fight for us.”
Michigan State University Under Federal Investigation for Handling of Sexual Assault Cases
Campus police investigated the alleged rape and brought information to the county police department, which declined to prosecute.
Students File Two Federal Complaints Against UC Berkeley for Mishandling Campus Sexual Assault Cases
31 current and former University of California at Berkeley filed two federal complaints against the college Wednesday, alleging that the university had failed to properly handle sexual assault cases within good time, investigate serial rapists, and take rape and harassment on campus seriously.
Military Sexual Assault Bill Expected To Come To Vote This Week
“The men and women of our military deserve better,” Gillibrand told The Washington Post.
Maryland Considers College Sexual Assault Reporting Bill
A Maryland House of Delegates committee heard testimony yesterday on a bill that would require all state universities and colleges to administer an anonymous sexual violence survey every three years — to more accurately determine how many assaults are occurring on campuses — and then report those findings to the Maryland Higher Education Commission.