Sexual Violence
GUEST BLOG: Campus Sexual Assault is a Civil Rights Issue
Mar 04, 2015 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual ViolenceLast Friday marked the opening of “The Hunting Ground,” a documentary about rape on American college campuses, in which students share painful testimonies about sexual violation and frustrated hopes for justice. The film highlights the serious human toll resulting from the fact that roughly one in five women faces sexual assault during her college years... “The Hunting Ground” comes at an important moment in the public conversation about the epidemic of campus sexual assault in this country. While the movement to raise awareness about widespread sexual victimization of college women has continued to gain momentum, the countermovement that has emerged is fierce.
What Could Possibly Go Wrong?
Feb 19, 2015 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Violence“As gun rights advocates push to legalize firearms on college campuses, an argument is taking shape: Arming female students will help reduce sexual assaults.” I will tell you exactly what will go wrong. Here’s how it will go. Undergrad Sally is given a handgun by her parents on her birthday. Sally attends an abbreviated gun safety class which includes target practice. Sally now carries her gun in her backpack on campus. She says she feels safer. Two possible scenarios:
16 Days: From Peaceful Homes to a Peaceful World
Nov 25, 2014 — Categories: Violence Against Women, Sexual Violence, Domestic Violence“From Peaceful Homes to a Peaceful World” is the theme of 16 Days. Take a moment to reflect on where we would be if the vibrant, curious girls of the world had been able to develop and grow as God intended. Imagine the things they could have accomplished had they been spared their suffering. Celebrate the amazing things we have accomplished, despite it all.
Pray Without Ceasing...For the Girls
May 09, 2014 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual ViolencePerhaps this is all we can do now. The story of the kidnapping of hundreds of Christian and Muslim school girls in Nigeria by the extremist group Boko Haram has outraged the entire world. And the misuse of Islam by Boko Haram leaders to justify their actions, claiming they are being directed by Allah, only magnifies the outrage. Boko Haram using the name of Islam in this way is like the Ku Klux Klan or Fred Phelps using Christianity to propel their actions of hate and violence.
"The Invisible War" Goes On
Jun 17, 2013 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceThe invisible war of sexual assault of female and male military personnel by their fellow soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines continues even as the U.S. Senate holds hearings and presses for substantive changes in the way cases of sexual assault are handled. The Academy Award nominated documentary tells the story of survivors of rape and of an institution long on rhetoric and short on change.
Accidental?
Apr 29, 2013 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual ViolenceThe recent song, “Accidental Racist,” by Brad Paisley and LL Cool J got me thinking about how one accidentally oppresses other people. As a white woman raised in the South, I’ve heard the angst expressed before. I just don’t buy it. Yet it inspired me to write another version.
Ethically Challenged Part 2: Youth Ministers Take Note
Apr 08, 2013 — Categories: Current Events, Healthy Teen Relationships, Violence Against Women, Sexual ViolenceAs I have continued to ponder and worry about the Steubenville, Ohio, rape case which I blogged about last week, I came across a two very interesting pieces. First is an open letter from Melissa Harris-Perry to the survivor of the Steubenville rape: “Dear Steubenville Survivor, I Believe You.” It is written from one survivor to another in appreciation for the courage of the young woman in coming forward in spite of knowing the response she would get. Please listen to it.
The Ethically Challenged in Steubenville and Beyond
Apr 01, 2013 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual ViolenceThe fact that two teenage football players raped an intoxicated teenager is bad enough. They have now been convicted of their crimes. But the additional fact that other teens not only watched and did not intervene to help the victim but also took photos which they then broadcast with social media is even more disturbing.
Put Your Activism To Work Right Now
Dec 04, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Violence, Domestic ViolenceThe New York Times is right on this one. If politicians are serious about fixing the perception that they don’t understand or care about women, they would do well to move quickly to pass the Reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) immediately.
Knowing the Mind of God
Nov 08, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual ViolenceIn the midst of the campaign, Indiana Senate candidate Richard Mourdock was asked if abortion should be allowed in cases of rape and incest. He responded negatively with this explanation: “I think, even when life begins in that horrible situation of rape, that it is something the God intended to happen.” Apparently, Richard Mourdock knows the mind of God.
Fifty Shades of Depressing
Oct 12, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual Violence, Domestic ViolenceFirst, a confession: I have not read Fifty Shades of Grey nor do I intend to. When I choose a novel to read, I pay attention to reviews or suggestions of my friends. The thought of spending time reading second rate prose about dominant-submissive heterosexual sex just doesn't seem very appealing. Life is too short.
Weary Beyond Words
Aug 21, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual Violence“Legitimate rape” has now been added to the lexicon of sexual assault thanks to Representative Todd Akin, candidate for the U.S. Senate in Missouri. One wonders about the definition of this new term; perhaps its synonym “real rape” and its opposite is “illegitimate rape.” It’s a mystery to me.
Dear Pope: About Sr. Margaret . . .
Jun 05, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceI am just writing to thank you for denouncing Sr. Margaret Farley’s excellent book, “Just Love: A Framework for Christian Sexual Ethics.” This is the best PR any author could possibly get and, as a result, the book has soared to the Best Seller list at Amazon overnight. I realize that God works in strange and mysterious ways, but this is too good.
“The Wedding Season . . . for Some”
May 21, 2012 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceSo it is the season of marriage and my partner and I delighted in attending our niece’s wedding in Baltimore last weekend. It was a three day party bringing together family and friends in celebration of their love for each other, their hope for the future, and their commitment to journey together, come what may.
Beyond Belief
Mar 01, 2012 — Categories: Violence Against Women, Sexual ViolenceInternational Women’s Day was first celebrated in 1911 and has been observed each year since as a day to recognize women’s achievements as well as to lift up the issues of gender inequality such as violence against women that continue to plague the human race and diminish the lives of women and men.
Rape is Rape is Rape . . .
Jan 26, 2012 — Categories: Sexual ViolenceThe U.S. Department of Justice has updated its definition of rape. Now we can name more clearly what victims of rape have known for centuries.
16 Days is Not Long Enough
Nov 20, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Other, Sexual ViolenceThis time last year I was on my way to Capetown, South Africa, to visit my friend, Elizabeth Petersen and the South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI). This was my first trip to this massive continent and, like so many people, I immediately fell in love with South Africa.
The Church of College Football
Nov 10, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Child Abuse, Sexual ViolenceA former defensive coordinator for the Penn State football team, Jerry Sandusky (a priest in the Church of College Football), has been arrested and charged with sexual abuse of boys over a 15 year period.
“Corrective Rape”? No, Hate Crime
Oct 24, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Violence Against Women, Sexual Violence“Corrective rape.” When I first heard this term, I stopped dead in my tracks. Having thought that I had heard it all when it came to violence against women, here was yet another perverse variation of rationale for sexual assault.
“Nothing New Here”
Sep 06, 2011 — Categories: Current Events, Sexual ViolenceThe only real news in the case of the charge of sexual assault against a powerful French politician is that the victim came forward and filed a complaint. The outcome is classic and predictable.
