An outpouring of national outrage has followed footage of Deputy Ben Fields attacking a female student at Spring Valley High School in Columbia, South Carolina for allegedly refusing to leave her the classroom.
World Leaders Commit to Ending Gender Discrimination at UN Summit
On the 20th anniversary of the fourth world conference on women in Beijing, leaders from around the globe met with the UN to discuss concrete and measurable plans for eliminating discrimination against women.
Lawmakers Pledge $80 Million to Eliminate Rape Kit Backlogs Nationwide
Joe Biden announces million dollar plan to clear the massive national rape kit backlog.
“Yes Means Yes” Sex Education Could Spread to California High Schools
Rather than depending on the popular mantra “no means no,” consent under this legislation requires an “affirmative, conscious and voluntary agreement to engage in sexual activity.”
Los Angeles Mayor Announces Model Gender Equity Directive
“Gender equity must permeate every level of City operations—as leaders, employers, and service providers,” the unparalleled directive reads.
Fraternity Signs Promote Rape Culture, Elicit Outrage
The signs, which ask for first-year women- and their moms- to be dropped off at an ODU fraternity “for a good time,” have elicited outrage and a promise of disciplinary action from the University.
Amnesty Votes on Policy to Decriminalize Sex Work, Sparks Feminist Debate
The Coalition Against Trafficking in Women sent an open letter signed by over 400 groups and individuals to Amnesty International asking it to reconsider a policy to decriminalize sex work.
Texas Woman Files Complaint After Officer Forcibly Searches her Vagina
“I feel like they sexually assaulted me! I really do,” Charnesia Corley said about a forced body-cavity search following a traffic stop in which a Texas deputy claimed he smelled marijuana.
UN Expert Calls for Action To End Violence Against Women in Afghanistan
United Nations Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women Rashida Manjoo returned last week from a nine-day official visit in Afghanistan with a call to the Afghan Government and the international community to continue its focus on creating sustainable solutions to reduce violence against women. This was Manjoo’s third visit to Afghanistan, and the Special Rapporteur noted many positive developments since her […]
NFL and Black Women’s Roundtable Finally Meet to Tackle Domestic Violence
National Football League Commissioner, Roger Goodell finally met with members of the Black Women’s Roundtable last week after failing to invite any women of color to weigh in on the League’s initial plan of action on domestic violence.
From the Inside Looking Out: I Went To a Domestic Violence Course for Convicted Abusers
Would this reform him? Could it have “fixed” us?
UN Speaks Out Against Islamic State’s Attacks on Women
The United Nations last week condemned the brutal killings of women by the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, also know as ISIS.
US-Africa Leaders Summit Closes With Funding Commitments and Focus on Women
After three days of unprecedented meetings between the US and leaders from nearly 50 African countries, the US Africa Leaders Summit ended Wednesday. In addition to public and private commitments of up to $33 billion for trade and investment, the United States called on leaders of the African continent to make a considerable investment in advancing the status of […]
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.”
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.”
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.
Report Shows Increase in Officer-on-Inmate Sexual Assault in US Prisons
A new report issued by the Justice Department’s Bureau of Justice Statistics indicates that allegations of rape and sexual assault by prison inmates are increasing, and that 49 percent of the alleged crimes involve correctional officers.
Activist Launches Fundraising Drive to Open Home for Sexual Assault Survivors
A Vanderbilt University graduate and sexual violence survivor launched a fundraising drive yesterday to open a home for fellow college-aged survivors in Nashville, Tennessee.
