Sexual Violence: A Global Pandemic/8th to 15th September 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 8th to 15th September 2018.

1) First Multi-State US Strike Focused on Sexual Harassment

McDonald’s workers across US have come up with a one day strike on 18th September 2018. It shall take place across 10 cities organized by women who have filed complaints about the harassment at the franchises with EEOC- Equal Employment Opportunity Commission.

The historic strike is in the vein of a 2014 report from Restaurant Opportunities Center United that found 90% of the female employees and 70% of the male employees have experienced some form of sexual harassment.

2) US Bishop to be Investigated for Sexual Abuse

Pope Francis has further deepened a worldwide abuse scandal by ordering an investigation of the American bishop accused of sexual misconduct. The accused Bishop Michael J Bransfield has been temporarily replaced by Archbishop William Lori of Baltimore to run the Wheeling-Charleston diocese, West Virginia.

This case has damaged the confidence and faith of people further in US, Chile, Australia and Ireland.

3) Sexual Harassment as common as One in Three people

Human Rights Commission found that 71% Australians have been sexually harassed. With more than four in five (85%) women and more than half (56%) of men over the age of 15. Sadly, the complaint rate of the same is a meagre 17%.

The workplace industries, specifically in the information, media and telecommunication sector, had a higher rate of reported harassment. The minister for women, Kelly O’Dwyer confirmed in June that the commonwealth would contribute to $500,000 to a national enquiry into sexual harassment.

4) Leslie Moonves Chairman, resigns from CBS

Six more women have accused Leslie Moonves, chairman and chief executive of CBS, of sexual harassment or assault. Denying the charges, he has stepped out of CBS.

According to his statement, Moonves and CBS will donate $20m to one or more organisations that support the #MeToo movement and equality of women at workplace.

5) ‘With no water and food I felt like I was being hunted’

Jordan Taylor, an American travel blogger, had a traumatizing experience at an OYO hotel when she was visiting India for her dream project with a company here in India. Her vlog goes by the name of ‘Travellight’ on the social media.

She decided to talk about her abuse after she realized that the experience had left a scar of her and she couldn’t work properly. The video wherein she talks about her abuse was shared on Twitter. The video describes how she and her boyfriend came to India and took the OYO Hotel room wherein she was followed after. She also had put up a clip which she had recorded and one can clearly see the shadows under the door.

OYO responded to the same and has promised a stricter action on the mentioned OYO associated Hotel situated in the national capital New Delhi.

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