Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/27th May to 1st June 2018

Sexual violence is a global pandemic. One in three women experiences sexual or physical violence – most likely from their intimate partner, according to a report from the World Health Organization. There is an urgent need to increase sensitization regarding sexual violence and the awareness of consent and sexual violence amongst persons at large. In this series, we examine sexual violence and related issues that have come up in the news, on a weekly basis, published every Saturday. This is an attempt to improve awareness regarding incidents of sexual violence and related matters, so that we, as a society can take steps towards collective action to reduce its incidence. It is an effort to ensure that we acknowledge the rampant sexual violence that exists, lest we forget.

This issue looks at news from 27th May to 1st June 2018.

1) Air India’s negligence to sexual assault; Indian Gov to the rescue!

A flight attendant accused her senior executive of sexual harassing her since the last six years. Reportedly, about ten such complaints have been pending with the airline who refused to take the victim’s matter seriously. The victim reported being frustrated of the continual torture and negligence. Consequentially, India’s civil aviation minister has ordered investigation into the matter.

2) Former School Gynecologist alleged accused of sexual abuse for three decades 

Dr. George Tyndall, a former University of Southern California’s staff gynecologist has been alleged accused for sexually abusing women from 1990 and 2016. His possibly criminal conduct involved groping the breasts, penetrating the genitalia with fingers, commenting on bodies of the women, and conducting vaginal exams without gloves, without medical necessity. Reportedly, the school hushed the chapter to a close by silently pushing him into retirement. However, Los Angeles police is looking into his behavior that exists beyond criminal norms.

3) A 69 year old veterinarian on probation for sexual assault

Dr. Joseph Evans, a 69 years old Nederland veterinarian, has been sentenced to probation for five years for second degree sexual assault of a 15 year old girl – drugging the victim, and for three years for unlawful sexual contact. He pleaded guilty for both charges by Boulder County District Attorney. As a part of probation, he will have to register as a sex offender and his behavior will monitored for substance abuse, failing which he will have to undergo a treatment for the same.

4) South Sadan Civil War victims call rape ‘a rifle of war’

Women, who have been victimized in the five year long civil war in South Sadan, reported how each of them were taken by criminals and they all knew what had happened was a daily affair. Reportedly, around 65 percent of the females, twice the global average, have been victims of sexual or physical violence. The International Rescue Committee (IRC) centers receive about 20 cases every week. The NGOs are working towards providing them with psycho-social support and motivating them to seek treatment.

5) Trial without assailant’s knowledge annihilates career

A Michigan State student, Keith Mumphery, accused of sexually assaulting a fellow student, came out clean in the first two trials. However, the third trial, processed after the fellow student’s appeal, which was conducted without his awareness and chance of defence, found him guilty of relationship violence and sexual misconduct. Subsequently, the process has cost him lost chances of admission for graduate program despite being an honor roll student, financial damage, and the most excruciating concomitant being the end of his NFL career.

This article was first published on Safecity, as a part of the blogging team by Vrishti Kapoor.