Sunday 20 December 2015

It is The Time to Stand Up

Women who have gone through the ordeal of sexual abuse either in the form of sexual molestation, harassment or any physical and mental torture need no longer hide their faces for society. The fear that they will be marked as an outcast stops them. So they live in their trauma feeling all alone and helpless. They have nightmares of the indignity they have faced. Every single day of theirs is a living torture full of fear and shame. They have not only fear of disgrace or being looked upon as derogatory. It is the usual scenario that the victim of sexual abuse and harassment in any form does not come forward fearing the reprisals from the been robbed of their dignity but their smiles too fear to come near them.They feel like a hunted animal crouching in a corner with every sound making them shudder with fear. They feel lonely and bereft with no one they could confide in.
When a woman comes to such a state then it is the biggest blot on the society we live in.
This could happen to any woman that very same woman who is the pivot on which the entire household rotates. She graduates from being a daughter to a wife and then a mother. She is the all in all of a home from being a caretaker to a solace giver and the one who protects her children.
Then why is she subjected to sexual abuse by strangers and more often by people well known to her and close to her. When she is robbed by those close to her to whom can she relate her woe and ask for a helping hand.
Woman has been put on a pedestal when a sacrifice is needed but when it comes to her being the complainant then there is no respite for her.
The primary reason for this is that a woman is always told repeatedly about her obligations and duties but never her rights.
It is now the ripe time to educate her about her rights and how she can exercise them.
It will be like lighting up her way in a dark tunnel. She also needs to see the sunlight especially when the light of the sun has been blocked for her.
Now Amnesty International has launched the #KnowYourRights campaign, which is a people’s rights educational program aimed at informing people of their basic rights via free educational modules on digital and physical media because knowing one’s rights gives one the confidence to take action.

The women who have been the victims of sexual violence are now armed with the knowledge of their rights and knowing that they are no longer alone but have the support of many behind them they should not fear disclosing what has befallen them.
I
They should not hesitate in bringing the guilty into the limelight. This one brave act of hers will not only bring the guilty to justice but give others the courage to come forward and relate their harrowing experience.
II
Justice delayed is justice denied. So it is important that the act of sexual violence should be immediately reported so that the guilty is reprimanded and punished for his deed. Maintaining a silence will not help either the victim or other women who are equally at a risk of sexual abuse.Such reporting would give other women courage to speak up.
III
Timely reporting and subsequent medical examination can pin down the accused. This will stop such persons from abusing the same women again who becomes a soft target or even other women desolate lives.
The  paramount effect would be to save other women from suffering the same fate. She would become the torch bearer lighting up the path of many.

“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”

It is time to raise your Voice

#KnowYourRights! Rape, acquaintance rape and other sexual offenses are punishable crimes.Rape survivors, unlike victims of other crimes are often reluctant to report assaults to the police or other authorities. They often fear they will be blamed or disbelieved. Deciding whether to report the crime can be a very difficult decision.Victims of sexual assault should be encouraged to come forward and report the crime.Victims feel that it was a private matter and finding another way to deal with the incident is one of the main reasons for not reporting the crime.There’s a fear of stigma and shame or sometimes there’s a shroud of secrecy for people so they don’t want to come forward. These are the topmost reasons. We have to overcome these obstacles and mental & physical agony. The only way that we can overcome these is to inculcate more trust and confidence in the various systems that are in place. It is important that the victims know of the support system available to them. Many girls commit suicide after allegedly being raped because of the pressures sexual assault victims face in society. It is shameful. We have to educate young people
about the crime and the stereotypes surrounding sexual violence. It is really important that we engage our youth and create some fundamentally positive opinions. It is time to questions and challenge some stereotypes that are oppressive and suppress the rights and freedom of every girl and women out there. It is important to talk about these issues and to move forward on not only preventing sexual violence but also to stopping it. Girls and young women between the ages of 15 and 24 are the most likely victims of sexual assault. There are many reasons but the 3 reasons why I think it is important to encourage reporting sexual violence are:

1 They may need medical attention, including for internal injuries that are not readily apparent. One should be tested for sexually transmitted diseases and for pregnancy. Law enforcement officials can help a victim access medical assistance. If the victim delays reporting, physical evidence may become unusable.

2 Even if criminal charges are not filed, reporting the crime provides law enforcement personnel with important information, including a description of the assailant and the method of committing the crime. Such information may be helpful in solving other cases. Rapists are often repeat offenders. Reporting may help authorities identify a pattern in a rapist's behavior.

3 Reporting a sexual assault is an active way of regaining control. It is a healthy way to channel anger and to appropriately place responsibility of the offense on the perpetrator of the crime. Reporting an assault does not commit a victim to pressing charges or to prosecuting the assailant. However, promptly reporting an assault helps create the strongest case possible in the event that you decide to pursue criminal charges

The aim of all these efforts is to foster individual growth in a climate of civilized action rather than brute force and violence. No form of sexual violence will be tolerated or condoned.

“I’m writing this blog post to support Amnesty International’s #KnowYourRights campaign at BlogAdda. You can also contribute to the cause by donating or spreading the word.”