Saturday, May 30, 2009

Ending The Silence in Egypt, Africa

Sexual Harassment in Egypt, Africa

While I was reading this article, reprinted below, I wanted to find more information,not just to support this story but to figure out why its "shadow" resembles the inner workings and connections to Sexual Violence and the many stereotypes, roles and perceptions that being a Woman or Man can carry. Is there any weight that this(Sexual Harassment)has potential to lead to more serious crime of Sexual Violence that Women,Girls and Men face here in the United States and Abroad?

Maybe after reading, it may help You grasp or understand the concept that Sexual Violence against Women is in fact a global issue that we are facing and by becoming aware you can now ask, How can I help? What can I, my family or even my friends do to bring awareness that women are being hurt, minorities are being hurt, that children are being hurt everyday by Sexual Violence?

What has helped me and what I continually have learned is when you start to question or ask questions, you eventually seek out and actually get answers and they in turn, will be in abundance. So get ready !( smile)


Egyptian Center
for Women's Rights(check them out here http://ecwronline.org/ ) published a study, a number of developments have helped advance awareness and bring redress closer to the many women who experience sexual harassment.

According to “Clouds in Egypt’s Sky,” ECWR’s study, 83 per cent of Egyptian women and 98 per cent of foreign women report that they have been sexually harassed, and the most common sites of harassment are on the street and public transport. A large number of men – 62.4 per cent – admitted to being or having been perpetrators of sexual harassment.

The study highlighted the differences in perceptions about different facets of sexual harassment. Respondents fell into three categories: Egyptian women, foreign women and Egyptian men.



Foreign women identified the widest variety of forms of sexual harassment. While many Egyptian and foreign women said that women of all categories are subjected to sexual harassment, most men thought that young women are the main victims.

The study’s respondents were shown pictures of women in different modes of dress. Generally, foreign women agreed that the way a woman is dressed does not determine whether she will be sexually harassed. However many Egyptians – more men than women- identified a woman pictured wearing a short sleeved shirt and short skirt, and with her hair uncovered as most likely to be a victim of sexual harassment.

Only 2.4 per cent of Egyptian women and 7.5 per cent of foreign women subjected to sexual violence reported it to the police. Most did not report because they thought that no adequate action would be taken.

The study also found that sometimes police officers mock or harass women who report, and this is a further deterrent. Blaming the victim is common with most other forms of sexual violence all over the world, there is a tendency in Egypt to blame the victim and excuse the assailant. (Sound familiar?)


A number of women did not report the crime to the authorities because they feared that by doing so they may ruin their own reputations.Many women interviewed seemed to agree that the silence needs to be preserved.

(Again! You see common stereotypes, tradition and gender roles that run rampant in communities. Which help perpetuate the general attitude toward responding to violence which is DON'T. What's worse is this"attitude"is taught, becoming a learned behavior, like a passed down oral tradition from family to family, society to society playing the same tune that even we as women who are the most victimized yet held the most accountable for the crimes done against us help uphold the standard of "SILENCE IS BEST")

( Picture from rally 4/18/2009)


About 53.8 percent of men said that women were to blame for being sexually harassed. The reasons they gave were inappropriate dressing, enjoying the attention or initiating the harassment. Some Egyptian women agreed that women bring it upon themselves when for instance they wear tight clothing.

Attitudes towards sexual harassment are beginning to change. In February this year, a bill seeking the introduction of stiffer penalties for sexual offenders was introduced into Egypt’s parliament. The law will also compel police to intervene in cases of sexual harassment. Two widely publicised landmark
cases have contributed significantly to the impetus to deal with sexual harassment. In one, a young woman who was groped on the street filed charges against the assailant, who was jailed for three years and fined the equivalent of USD 900. Another man was sentenced to one year in prison for his involvement in a mob attack on some women on a Cairo street. Apart from these two cases there have been a number of arrests of offenders.

Although the steps forward are promising, the study shows that there is a long way to go in changing attitudes that are held by women and
men about sexual harassment.



ECWR recommends widespread education to expand the understanding of sexual violence to encompass not only rape, but all forms of verbal and physical violence. The organisation wants police to be trained to respond to sexual harassment and a special reporting centre to be established for victims of sexual harassment.

In 2006, a commercial(Check it out below) was produced to show how visitors are harassed and how it not only effects tourism but the Country,but I think it's truly the local resident women who loose out more everyday.





For more on this story and related articles:


http://observers.france24.com/en/content/20090414-fighting-sexual-harrassment-egypt-women-rights


http://globalvoicesonline.org/2008/07/29/an-egyptian-mans-views-on-sexual-harassment-in-egypt-2/






Friday, May 29, 2009

Nevada Man Gets combined Life Sentence for Sexual Assault of 2&6 year old Children

Chester Stiles Darrin Tuck




Nevada Man Gets Combined Life Sentence



Quick Facts:

  • Chester Arthur Stiles will serve 21 life terms for two separate Sexual Assaults 2003&2007


  • Darrin Tuck, man who "discovered"tape in is arrested in 2007 for felony charges of promoting child pornography and possession of child pornography


  • Nationwide manhunt ensued after Stiles' videotape was found in Nevada Desert


  • Stiles found guilty of 22 felony charges: 10 counts of sexual assault with a minor under 14 years of age, 10 counts of lewdness with a child under the age of 14, and one count of attempted sexual assault with a minor under 14.


  • Judge folded 14 sentences together, ran eight sentences eight back-to-back


  • Stiles can't seek parole for 140 years, his lawyers are appealing judges decision


  • The victims were 2 and 6,one on videotape was daughter of his x-girlfriend's friend


  • Stiles showed no remorse and in fact said he being treated worse then a murderer


  • Darrin Tuck made plea agreement in 2008 to lessor charge of conspiracy to obstruct,by doing avoided previous felony charges of possession

For more background or information on this story

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article/article?f=/n/a/2009/05/29/state/n110936D35.DTL

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=49286

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/16/rape.tape/index.html

http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=7861405&nav=15MV

Friday, May 22, 2009

Former Deputy Pleads Guilty to Reduced Charges

Allen Schaeffer




Former St. John Parish deputy charged with rape pleads guilty to reduced charges



Quick Facts:


  • Schaeffer pleads guilty to 2nd degree Battery and Malfeasance only


  • 5 years probation on each count but NO jail time



  • state recused itself but was replaced after decline in rapport with the complaining Victims



  • Muntz, former victim made victim impact statement,feels judge too lenient as well



  • fired from the Sheriff's Office in October 2008 after a State Police investigation



  • Sentence: complete anger management and sensitivity counseling, plus domestic violence counseling,submit to random drug and alcohol screenings at his own expense and to pay fines and court costs totalling $4,718.50.



  • proof of compliance hearing for August 5, 2009



My question to the judge is a simple one , Why? W hat questions or concerns do you have ?

Do you feel he gets a pass or got a pass because he was on the police force so many years?



if you are wondering if he is listed under any registry or if he even had to, the answer would be no.


For link on this story please click here:

http://www.icrimewatch.net/index.php?AgencyID=54510

Monday, May 18, 2009

Prostitution beyond the Myths-Documentary

Prostitution: Beyond The Myth This Friday!


Airs on Friday, May 22 at 7:00 p.m. click here to find your local TV Station. www.tpt.org/program/digital_updates.html#channelgrids

The documentary illustrates new solutions to the world’s oldest profession and features the stories of former prostitutes, along with the Minneapolis judiciary, law enforcement, and a research study currently being conducted in North Minneapolis.



Volunteers of America’s documentary, “Prostitution: Beyond the Myths,” produced with Twin Cities Public Television has won two Telly Awards. A Telly is the premier award honoring outstanding local, regional and cable TV commercials and programs, as well as the finest video and film productions. The awards received were in Documentary and Information-Public Policy categories.

The 30-minute documentary illustrates new solutions to the world’s oldest profession and features the stories of former prostitutes, along with the Minneapolis judiciary, law enforcement, and a research study currently being conducted in North Minneapolis.
Volunteers of America Minnesota operates the Women’s Recovery Center for women who are chemically dependent, homeless and have experienced multiple traumas, particularly those associated with a lifestyle of prostitution.

If you want to learn more about Volunteers of America in MN and what they can do for your community click the link http://www.voamn.org/

To find VOA in your state click here: http://www.voa.org/

Find your station
http://www.tpt.org/program/digital_updates.html#channelgrids

Friday, May 15, 2009

Fugitive Marcial Torres Wanted for Sexual Assaulting a Relative

Marcial Bahena Torres



Quick Facts:


  • Marcial Torres is wanted by cops in Anaheim for the sexual molestation of female relative.

  • Victim told mom,who reported to police that same day

  • Torres and the victim were alone in Torres' apartment on April 13, 2009

  • Torres tied the girl up, forced himself on to her and covered her mouth with tape

  • Police believe Torres molested her for almost a half an hour, untied the girl and allegedly told her not to say anything

  • According to police he fled with his personal items, in his 2002 Brown Ford Ranger

  • authorities say he sold the truck later that same day and could be in California, Texas, or Mexico

For more information on this case


http://www.amw.com/fugitives/brief.cfm?id=65574


http://www.ocregister.com/articles/martinez-anaheim-torres-2413793-police-victim


If you have info that could help contact


Anahiem Police at 714-765-1900 or Your Local Police directly.


Call 1-800-CRIME-TV(274-6388)

Thursday, May 14, 2009



Healing through Creativity helps to end the need for silence, the feelings of abandonment and the undeserved guilt often felt by survivors. The event recognizes organizations that educate, serve and protect the community


HTC are seeking artists, volunteers, participants, performers and presenters for the survivor art event in October. This conference helps survivors of domestic violence, rape, sexual abuse, disability, war trauma, disease, disability, eating disorders, cancer, grief and loss display their heart felt art works, attend workshops and connect with other survivors. The conference is slated for October 2009. People can participate in Charleston WV, Bluefield VA, Roanoke VA or even online.


Volunteers are needed for long or short term at the live event or online. You can participate anonymously and you don’t need to be situated in the US to help. Survivor supporters are welcome to share their thoughts, creativity (art, writing poetry, drawing, painting, sculpting, jewelry making, etc) at the Healing through Creativity message board at




For more info on HTC please check their website http://www.healingthroughcreativity.org/ and while your on the Web, join them on MySpace
www.myspace.com/healingthroughcreativity

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Looking for Speakers in Virginia



The Survivor Caucus of the Virginia Sexual and Domestic Violence Action Alliance is recruiting presenters for its new Speakers Bureau, with a planned start up date of July 1, 2009. Any survivor wishing to join the Survivor Caucus can do so at http://www.survivorcaucusva.org/


Thriving survivors of adult sexual assault, childhood sexual abuse, or intimate partner violence are invited to use this opportunity to tell their personal stories for public education and survivor support throughout Virginia.


Survivors are encouraged to apply at http://www.vsdvalliance.org/ For a speaker application or for more information, contact Mikele Knight,sparrowk@vsdvalliance.org.



Any survivor wishing to join the Survivor Caucus can do so at
http://www.survivorcaucusva.org/