Stalking is a course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear. Unlike other crimes that involve a single incident, stalking is a pattern of behavior. It is often made up of individual acts that could, by themselves, seem harmless or noncriminal, but when taken in the context of a stalking situation, could constitute criminal acts. Legal definitions of stalking differ depending on where you live; however stalking is a crime under the laws of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the U.S. Territories, and the Federal government. Stalking is serious, often violent, and can escalate over time.

Victim Connect Resource Center  https://victimc onnect.org/learn/types-of-crime/stalking/

Stalking Prevention, Awareness & Resource Center (SPARC)   https://www.stalkingawareness.org/about-sparc/

 

Take some time to go to these sites.  They are full of important information on what "stalking" is, what you can do about it and resources you can access.  Whether you are a current victim or not, you should familiarize yourself with this information.  1 in 3 Women and 1 in 6 Men experience stalking at some time in their lifetimes.  You could be one of them.  Be prepared by arming yourself with this information.

Caribbean, Updates and Events, Eastern Europe, Sub-Saharan Africa

 

By Sophia Kulow

 

When media reports on conflict zones, the gender-based violence that occurs in these areas is often left out in favor of military action. The reality is that conflict zones are hotspots for sexual violence among girls and women, and gender-based violence is used as a weapon of war. 

This past February, Global Rights for Women co-hosted a virtual webinar with the University of Minnesota with panelists from Haiti, Ethiopia, Ukraine, and Latvia, highlighting the ways gender-based violence manifests in conflict zones.

Haiti

In Haiti, approximately 1.5 million people live in areas being controlled by gangs, which have been known to commit heinous forms of violence including kidnappings, assassinations, and sexual violence. According to Kerlande Joseph from Fondation Essence Elle in Haiti, there have been approximately 149 documented cases of rape committed by gangs. 

It’s important to note, however, that due to the lack of protection and accountability by the justice system, many women fear they could be killed if they report a case of rape, while others believe that nothing will be done even if they do report it, thus, skewing the data. 

Ethiopia

Due to tensions with the federal government, the conflict zone of Tigray in Ethiopia arose in 2020. This war resulted in severe violence among women and girls. According to Hale Teka, a gynecologist in Tigray, there have been thousands of women subjected to violences including rape, gang rape, forced marriage, and other brutal acts. To make matters worse, these acts have been followed by indifference and inaction by authorities. 

Another Tigrayian gynecologist, Mohammedtahir Yahya, visited one of the worst conflict areas of Tigray and examined 110 women, 90 of which had reported being raped. Many of the women were displaced after the act of violence and the shelter they were brought to had been bombed. Yahya noted that these acts of violence had been done deliberately to dehumanize them because they are representatives of the regions. 

Ukraine

  Currently in Northeastern Europe, conflict zones in Ukraine are also experiencing a large influx in reports of gender-based violence. There have reports of Russian soldiers carrying out violences such as murder, tortures, and rape among civilians. 

Anna Orel is a part of The Andreev Foundation in Ukraine. This foundation has a group of psychologists that travel to Russian occupied areas in Ukraine to provide support for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. Orel notes that the victims have panic attacks, problems with eating or sleeping, and there have been reports of young girls and women using alcohol to cope with their traumas. 

Many states in Ukraine have minimal understanding of gender-based violence and the increase in violence due to the war, which has subsequently led to sexual exploitation. In fact, some states believe women in conflict zones are engaging in the violent sexual acts willingly, which is why few states have regulations on the matter.

Why does gender-based and sexual violence manifest more in conflict zones? Women and girls are the seeds of culture. Women bring life into the world and they sustain a culture. By targeting women, hopelessness and fear is instilled into the community, allowing for the perpetrators to hold a continuous power over an occupied region. Sexual violence becomes normalized among soldiers as they become desensitized to dehumanizing women and children. 

Awareness is the first step. Journalistic coverage of conflict zones doesn’t even begin to show the magnitude of gender-based violence. Organizations like Global Rights for Women are working towards bringing awareness to the issues through connecting their supporters to people in conflict zones fighting against the violence in real time. 

Learning firsthand what atrocities are occurring to women and girls calls for international accountability. There is a need for proper prosecution to ensure countries and soldiers have repercussions on the pain and suffering they are inflicting. 

There is a need to prioritize the needs of survivors, including access to medical attention and supplies to aid women who have sexual or reproductive injuries, unplanned pregnancies, and more. 

There is a need for financial support to fund the doctors, medical supplies, and basic needs, including food. Many doctors, such as those in Tigray, are working endlessly without compensation, sometimes even begging on the street for a meal.

For those perceiving the conflicts through media, it can be hard to relate to their trauma. However, the gender-based violence discussed can occur in any country, at any time due to ongoing inequality and oppression. Supporting organizations that work to end gender-based violence locally, nationally, or internationally puts pressure on all justice systems and governments to hold perpetrators accountable for their actions. 

As Anna Orel powerfully stated at the end of the virtual webinar, “Different countries, different griefs, but we are so similar. We need to help these people, justice should win.”

 

Author: Sophia Kulow is an intern with Global Rights for Women. She is a fourth year student at the University of Minnesota- Twin Cities and is majoring in global studies, sustainability and fashion. 

1 in 3 female victims of completed or attempted rape experienced it for the first time between the ages of 11 and 17. 

 National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Statistics

 

It has been almost six years since the National Institute of Justice reported the results of a study it funded which included sobering facts on the violence against American Indian and Alaska Native women.  Six years and very little has been done to address the crisis.

The study looked at the prevalence of psychological aggression and physical violence by intimate partners, stalking, and sexual violence among American Indian and Alaska Native women.  The results were profound. 

• For American Indian and Alaska Native women, 4 in 5 (84.3%) have experienced violence in their lifetime. This includes:
• 56.1% have experienced sexual violence.
• 55.5% have endured physical intimate partner violence.
• 48.8% have experienced stalking.
• 96% of Native female victims of sexual violence experience violence at the hands of a non-Native perpetrator.
• 21% have experienced inter-racial violence.

The murder rate of Native women is more than 10 times the national average on some reservations. 

Two 2020 laws have requirements that could help address aspects of the crisis, depending on how the Departments of Justice and Interior implement them. But the agencies have missed some of the requirements' deadlines. For example, they have not yet set up a joint commission to explore the issue.

The GAO was asked to review the federal response to the missing or murdered AI/AN women crisis. The report was to examine the extent to which (1) the number of missing or murdered AI/AN women in the U.S. is known and (2)  what steps the DOJ and DOI have taken to address the crisis. GAO reviewed available data on missing persons and violent deaths, relevant reports, and agency documentation, including agency policies and procedures. 

Among the recommendations made by the GOA were that the DOJ develop a plan for how it will accomplish ongoing analyses of missing or murdered AI/AN women data and that DOJ and DOI both develop plans to implement the requirements in Savanna's Act and the Not Invisible Act of 2019 that remain unfulfilled past their statutory deadlines. 

For more information:

https://www.niwrc.org/

"Examining Violence Against American Indian and Alaska Women"

 

 

Two attorneys general, New York and Pennsylvania, have issued warnings to protect consumers from bad actors who are using Apple Airtags to track individuals and/or their belongings for harmful purposes.  Individuals have reported finding unknown AirTags attached to their cars, and in their purses, coat pockets, and other personal property.  Apple AirTags are small tracking devices intended to act as a key finder to help people locate their personal items. However, malicious individuals have been placing the small devices on people’s personal property, without their awareness, to track them.  This is particularly dangerous for women who are all too often the victims of stalking and violence.

The following are steps authorities suggest you take to protect yourself and your belongings:

• First of all DO NOT DESTROY THE DEVICE.  It could have been lost by its’ owner and/or be evidence for your police report.

1. Listen for unfamiliar beeping. When an AirTag is separated from a familiar device for at least 24 hours, the AirTag will start to make a beeping noise. If you hear this beeping noise, try to locate its source. AirTags can be stuck in various places including in bags and pockets, under cars, inside of bumpers, and the back of license plates. If you find an  AirTag, hold your smartphone up to it to receive information about the AirTag including its serial number. Write down this information, then disable the AirTag by using the instructions on the screen or by removing the AirTag’s battery.  Then report the incident to your local police
2. Watch for “Item Detected Near You” notifications on iPhones. If your iPhone has been close to an unfamiliar AirTag or other accessory for a prolonged period of time, you may receive a notification on the Find My application stating, “Item Detected Near You.” Tap this message and it will allow you to play a sound on the AirTag in order to find it. You will also be able to use the app to receive information about the AirTag and disable it. Be sure to write down any information you learn about the AirTag before disabling it and call your local police.  Apple is implementing new safety measures, so make sure you update your Apple device’s operating system regularly.
3. If you have an Android device, download Tracker Detect  or  AirGuard.  If you hear unfamiliar beeping, either of those apps will help you locate any unfamiliar AirTags within your Bluetooth range. Please note that you will have to manually scan the area using the app, it will not scan for devices automatically.
4. Check for updated guidance. Apple has issued guidance on how to deal with unknown AirTags or Find My alerts. If you come across any issues, check with Apple for updated guidance.

Did you know? 71% of all human trafficking involves women and girls. This is why we need VAWA (Violence  Against  Women  Act).  We need protections in place to end gender-based violence. The National Human Trafficking Hotline (1-888-373-7888) has identified more than 47,000 cases of human trafficking across the United States since the phone lines opened in 2007.

Perhaps you are not aware human trafficking is a pervasive problem spanning all across the United States and indeed all across the world.  Consider this:  Recently law enforcement in 12 states conducted a coordinated sex trafficking bust.  Over 100 were arrested and 47, including 2 minors, were rescued and given medical treatment.

 Learn more about human trafficking and what signs to look for , or if you need help: go to  https://humantraffickinghotline.org/