Right now, federal law does not require health or sex education to include sexual assault prevention – but that could change.
New Bill Would Create a Registry of Military Sex Offenders
Due to loopholes in the system, many convicted sex offenders in the military are not registered sex offenders once they exit the military.
Yale Fraternity That Violated Sexual Misconduct Policy Now Banned From Campus
The fraternity Sigma Alpha Epsilon (SAE) will not be allowed to hold on-campus activities, use the school bulletin boards or email system to communicate, or use the fraternity’s name “in connection with the university.”
Testing Detroit’s Backlogged Rape Kits Has Already Identified 188 Serial Rapists
The testing has also produced over 750 DNA matches to an FBI database. The Wayne County prosecutor’s office has so far issued warrants for 23 alleged rapists, convicted 14 of them, and three are awaiting trial.
Violence Against Women Came to the Forefront at Last Nights’ Grammy Awards
The 57th Annual Grammy Awards set a new precedent last night with a speech from a domestic violence survivor and activist and the airing of a PSA from President Obama about violence against women.
UVA President Announces Initiatives to Curb Campus Sexual Assault
The University of Virginia’s president, Teresa Sullivan, recently spoke to the campus community about what’s next in their push to end sexual assault on campus and strengthen their policies for survivrs.
New UK Guidelines Would Put the Onus on Rape Suspects, Not Victims, in Sexual Violence Cases
If the new guidelines are utilized, rape suspects will be required to offer hard proof that consent was given “with full capacity and freedom to do so.”
Former Vanderbilt Football Players Found Guilty in Campus Sexual Assault Case
Cory Batey and Brandon Vandenburg, both former football players, will hear their sentencing on March 6.
Two Fraternities Refuse to Comply With UVA’s New Anti-Sexual Assault Regulations
Two fraternities at the University of Virginia have declined to sign on to new fraternity regulations put in place after a sexual assault scandal shook the campus.
Senate Blocks Military Sexual Assault Legislation
The Senate denied a vote for the Military Justice Improvement Act yesterday, blocking the act for the second time this year.
Activists Call on the President to Stand with Survivors of Rape in War
More than 20 organizations, including the Feminist Majority, the Center for Health and Gender Equity (CHANGE), Advocates for Youth, and several human rights and faith-based groups, came together to urge President Obama to ensure that US foreign assistance helps survivors of war rape access comprehensive medical care, including abortion.
Pentagon Report Shows Continued Scourge of Military Sexual Assault
According to the the Pentagon report, there were about 19,000 cases of sexual assault or unwanted sexual contact last year – over 50 cases a day. Of those who do report, nearly two-thirds reported that they faced retaliation.
World Health Organization Calls For an End to “Virginity Tests”
In the handbook, WHO stated that virginity tests used on women and girls to “prove” virginity have “no scientific validity” and pointed out that the tests violate international human rights standards against degrading treatment and are a form of discrimination against women.
UVA President Suspends Greek Life Organizations After Revelation of Campus Rape Culture
The decision closely follows the release of a Rolling Stone article detailing a pattern of rape and sexual assault occurring at UVA fraternities, which has caused student and faculty protests and sparked national outrage.
Oklahoma City Police Officer Will Go to Trial for 36 Counts of Sexual Assault
After a two-day preliminary hearing, an Oklahoma state court judge ordered that Daniel Holtzclaw, an Oklahoma City police officer, will stand trial for sexually assaulting 13 African-American women while on duty.
Ms. Wonder Awards Honor Young Grassroots Leaders in Anti-Violence and Fair Wage Movements
“I don’t think I’ve ever been in a room with so much personal history, and so much future,” Gloria Steinem said.
Sexual Assault Awareness Events Will Place Throughout the Country This Week
“It’s On Us” launched a nationwide Week of Action yesterday, with students at campuses throughout the country hosting events calling on everyone to play a role in ending campus sexual violence.
UN Committee Reviews US on Police Brutality and Gender-Based Violence
Police brutality, military sexual assault, and gender-based violence in the US came under scrutiny this week.
Columbia University Fined Student Activists for the Carry That Weight Day of Action
A student-run feminist group at Columbia University is facing up to $1,500 in charges after a protest of campus rape and sexual assault.
Celebrities and Survivor Advocates Encourage Tennessee and North Dakota Voters to Reject Anti-Abortion Measures
Advocates for survivors of sexual violence in North Dakota and Tennessee urged voters to turn down two dangerous anti-abortion measures when they go to the polls on this Tuesday, stressing the damage these measures would cause.