Last Friday, the Women’s March and several other organizations participated in a 17-mile, two-day rally in the Washington, D.C. area to protest the National Rifle Association’s (NRA) promotion of violence against progressive activists—especially women and people of color—in two recent incendiary videos, as well as the lack of action the NRA took in response to the shooting death of Philando Castile.
After 45 Years of Title IX, Advocates Hold Briefing on Law’s Successes and Failures
Last week, Title IX – the 1972 legal provision which prevents sex and gender-based discrimination in education – turned 45 years old. In honor of the anniversary, feminist groups briefed Congress on the victories Title IX has won, as well as the ways in which the law continues to fall short.
Today is National Gun Violence Awareness Day
“Every credible scientific study of women and guns in the last two decades strongly indicates that a firearm in a woman’s home is far more likely to be used against her or her family than to defend against an outside attacker.”
Boko Haram Releases 82 Chibok Girls 3 Years After Kidnapping
Last week the Nigerian government announced that 82 of the nearly 300 schoolgirls from Chibok that were kidnapped by the terrorist group Boko Haram in April of 2014 had been released in exchange for five Boko Haram commanders. The kidnapping has been an ongoing subject of public concern, prompting the massive #BringBackOurGirls movement on social media.
Feminist Majority Foundations Sues University of Mary Washington For Title IX Violation
The university’s administration, including President Hurley, was aware of the over 700 “Yaks”, many of which directly threatened the women with physical harm, including rape, and yet failed to take any action to enforce Title IX and ensure the women’s safety, citing misguided First Amendment concerns.
Bill O’Reilly is Out
Bill O’Reilly has been forced out of Fox News after widespread national condemnation over sexual harassment allegations led to more than 70 companies pulling their advertisements from The O’Reilly Factor.
Russia Passes Bill Decriminalizing Forms of Domestic Abuse
The bill, which is referred to as the “slapping law” downplays the “battery within families” charge to an administrative offense rather than a criminal one.
Sexual Assault Survivors Protest Jeff Sessions
This morning a group of sexual assault survivors, advocates and activists, led by national women’s advocacy group UltraViolet, went to Senator Jeff Sessions (R-AL) Capitol Hill Senate Office to present him with the Department of Justice’s definition of sexual assault and demand that he take violence against women seriously.
University of Minnesota Football Team Ends Boycott after Rape Details Released
Their decision to play in the Holiday Bowl Game came after the University’s Office of Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action released an 80-page report on Friday detailing the gang rape of a female student on September 2.
Bill to Protect Military Sexual Assault Survivors from Retaliation Heads to President’s Desk
On Thursday the Senate approved a bipartisan bill that seeks to address retaliation against service members who report sexual assault.
Bill Cosby’s Deposition Permitted as Evidence in Sexual Assault Case
On Monday, the judge presiding over Bill Cosby’s criminal case in Pennsylvania ruled that Cosby’s 2005 deposition testimony in which he admitted to drugging and taking advantage of young women can be used against him at trial.
New York City Creates Task Force to Combat Domestic Violence
Friday morning, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio announced the creation of a task force to combat domestic violence within the city.
Gun Control Referendums Received Close Votes on Election Day
On Election Day, Washington, California and Nevada all voted to strengthen gun control measures in the wake of Congress’ unwillingness to improve gun safety.
BYU Adopts Honor Code Amnesty Clause for Sexual Assault Victims
Brigham Young University announced on Wednesday that it will no longer investigate the student-victims who report sexual assault for breaches of the honor code.
Department of Justice Allocates $38 Million to Untested Rape Kits
The Department of Justice announced last month that it would allocate $38 million to state and local law enforcement agencies in an effort to address the extensive backlog of over 400,000 untested rape kits across the country.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Nuisance Ordinances
Local laws known as nuisance ordinances have been popping up in hundreds of towns and cities across the country, marketed as a way to deter criminal activity by fining landlords whose properties are frequented by the police. In reality, they punish victims of domestic violence by forcing them to choose between their personal safety and the risk of homelessness.
President Signs Sexual Assault Survivors’ Bill of Rights
Today, President Obama signed into law the Sexual Assault Survivors Rights Act, establishing a set of guidelines for the federal government handles forensic evidence gathered after a person reports a sexual assault, otherwise known as a rape kit.
Pakistan Tightens Law on “Honor” Killings
Today Pakistani lawmakers passed a law that will mandate a minimum sentence of 25 years in prison for those convicted of honor killings.
Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Guns in Abusive Homes
The chance of a woman in an abusive household being killed by her partner quintuples when a gun is in the home.
California Terminates Statute of Limitations in Wake of Cosby Allegations
Last week California Gov. Jerry Brown approved the Justice for Victims Act, which will eliminate the state’s statute of limitations for prosecuting rape and other felony sex crimes.