Weekly Update

1) Oprah Episode Features Issue of Marital Rape and Domestic Violence

An episode of Oprah this week brings to mainstream media the issue of marital rape and domestic violence. The website features clips, resources, stats and other info. Check it out, and let's hope that Oprah tackling this issue will encourage other mainstream media outlets to follow suit.

Check out the website here.

2) U.N. Motion to Specifically Condemn Rape as a Tactic of War

In an attempt to recognize that rape is sometimes used systematically by governments and organizations to achieve military and political objectives, the U.N. is attempting to pass a resolution. There is currently debate between the U.S. and South Africa on the language and specific implications of the resolution, but the resolution is expected to be passed in the coming weeks.

Check out the article here.

3) Around Montreal: McGill Faculty of Law Women's Caucus Workshops

A series of workshops will focus on legality and women's rights in the upcoming weeks:

Friday, November 23, 2007

Fiona Sampson, Director of Litigation, Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF)

"A Perfect Storm of Inequality - Women's Equality Rights in 2007"

Sponsored by the Margot E. Halpenny Memorial Fund

Room 202, New Chancellor Day Hall: 11:30 a.m.

Friday, November 30, 2007

Solangel Moldonado, Seton Hall Law School

"Paternal Engagement: What the U.S. Can Learn from Quebec"

Room 202, New Chancellor Day Hall - 11:30 a.m.

Conference Update:

Sexual Assault on Campus: Exposing the Truth

Jewish Women International of Canada

November 4 - 5, 2007

This conference was useful and informative, and an excellent first look at sexual assault on campus from a variety of perspectives. I'd like to provide a brief summary of some of the talks that I attended, along with some new resources and useful websites.

Dr. DeKeserdey, Prof. of Criminology

Male Support System for the Aggressors

Dr. DeKeserdey presented some research on the strong presence of peer support / approval for male perpetrators as a key determinant of sexual assault against women. He also highlighted some cultural norms that perpetuate the idea that woman abuse is acceptable for men. He pointed to men as being responsible for changing their attitudes and actions towards women, and has written extensively on programs to accomplish this.

Barbara MacQuarrie & Dr. Susan Rodger

The Impact of Sexual Violence on Campus on Academic Performance

This presentation focused on the specific effects of sexual assault on the life of a student, specifically on his / her ability to complete academic work. The presentation also highlighted the difference in federal legislation between the US and Canda; the US has the Students' Right-to-Know Act, which requires each university to publish and circulate information on the prevalence of sexual assault on their campuses. Canada has no such legislation. Also, the presentation mentioned Canada's attempt to rank campuses according to safety: METRAC. More information can be found here.

Dr. Hoffman, Director of McGill Mental Health Services

The New Sexual Revolution

Dr. Hoffman's presentation focused on the loss of boundaries that he has observed between many young people and other people in their lives. This loss of defined boundaries is changing social norms, and there is little control over what is appropriate and what is abusive in relationships of many young people.

Dr. Helene Berman, University of Western Ontario

The Trajectory of Violence on the Lives of Girls

Dr. Berman's work is on the normalization of violence in the lives of young girls. She points to the former research paradigm of "girls at risk" as being ineffective, as all girls growing up in our culture are at risk of being exposed to violence, either directly or indirectly. She highlighted a disturbing trend in some school of sexual harassment being labeled and dealt with as "bullying," which does not address the problem at all. She recommends establishing safe spaces for girls to discuss violence, media literacy, and programs focusing specifically on respect for one another, and for themselves.

Overall, a very informative conference. Keep talking about sexual assault on campus!

Weekly Update:

1. DNA Evidence Used to Identify Suspects in Rape Case:

DNA evidence will be used to charge four young men with raping and beating a mother and her son in West Palm Beach, Florida. The evidence was collected after the attack last June, and has been found to match that of the suspects. If convicted, all four will face life in prison.


Check out the article for yourself at: http://www.nytimes.com/aponline/us/AP-Gang-Rape-Teens.html

2. Passerbys Disrupt an Assault in Progress:

Last weekend in Salem, Oregon, five young adults driving along a busy road saw a drunk, distressed man and woman, and stopped to see if everything was alright. Upon stopping, it became clear to the people in the car that the woman was being attacked by the man, and called for help. Upon seeing the car, the man attempted to flee the scene, but was tackled by some of the people in the car. The suspect was held until police arrived to arrest him; the suspect is currently being held without bail, and awaiting trial next week.

Check out the article for yourself at: http://www.abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=3789629&page=1

3. Dubai Media Attempts to Cover Up Rape of French Boy; Law Blames Victim


While travelling in Dubai with his family last summer, a French 15-year old was kidnapped and raped by three men. He and his family went the the authorities, hoping to press charges. They were discouraged from doing so, and were told that the survivor could in fact be charged with "criminal homosexual activity." The survivor and his family have since returned home, and continue to persue legal recourse.


Check out the article for yourself at: http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/01/world/middleeast/01dubai.html

Weekly Update

1. Student raped and denied care because she appeared intoxicated
A DC area university student was denied access to post-assault care from several hospitals because she appeared "intoxicated." At a party earlier in the evening, she had be given a date-rape drug, and was raped. She was then denied access to a rape kit, and was sent home. She returned the next morning, and was again denied the kit.

As mentioned on Feministing.com, check out the article for yourself at: http://media.www.gwhatchet.com/media/storage/paper332/news/2007/10/04/News/Gw.Sued.For.Negligence.Malpractice-3011740.shtml

2. Cosmopolitan Magazine sponsors panel on 'Gray Rape'
A panel discussion was held this week in response to Cosmopolitan's article on "Gray Rape." The panel included members of the academic community, journalists, and members of legal community. Check out the article for yourself at: http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2007/10/15/gray-rape-a-new-form-of-date-rape/

3. Around Montreal:
"Leaf in Whirlwind"
A dance-theater piece adapted from the story of feminist writer Lalithambika Antherjanam about reconstructing life after a wartime rape and pregnancy during the partition of India and Pakistan.

October 10 - 28, 2007
Tuesday to Saturday at 8 pm
Sunday at 3 pm

MAI (Montréal, arts interculturels)
3680 Jeanne-Mance
Tickets: $20 $18 Seniors $15 Students
514 982 3386

For more information, please see: http://www.teesriduniyatheatre.com/
Lead from The Daily, Oct. 15/07

Weekly Update:

1. Former police officer charged with sexual assault

A former Toronto police officer has been charged with sexually assaulting a woman during an arrest. He has been summoned to appear in court.

Check out the article for yourself at: http://toronto.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20071011/police_officer_charged_071011/20071011?hub=TorontoHome

2. Rape on campus: Penn State football player charged
Penn State Running Back Austin Scott was charged today with raping a woman at his apartment on campus after meeting her in a bar. He was suspended from the team, but remains enrolled at Penn State. The university declined to comment at this point in time.

Check out the article for yourself at: http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/football/bigten/2007-10-12-penn-state-scott_N.htm

3. Report: Women in Ireland are "leaving themselves vulnerable to rape" by binge drinking
Yet another study shows a correlation between high levels of alcohol consumption and sexual assault, and instead of just leaving it at a correlation, goes on to blame the victims for being drunk in the first place.

Check out the article for yourself at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/northern_ireland/7034567.stm

Welcome to Media Watch

Around Montreal:

1) Speaker: Durga Sob on Fighting Against Caste and Gender Discrimination: FEDO

Friday, 28 September 2007
12:30 ― 2:00 pm
Centre for Developing Area Studies
Room 100
3715 Peel Street

For information, contact CDAS:
by email at adm.cdas@mcgill.ca or call 514-398-3507

2) Conference: Sexual Assault on Campus: Exposing the Truth

Sunday, 4 November 2007
2:00 - 6:30 pm
Delta Centre-Ville Hotel
777 University Street, Montreal

$20 registration with student ID. To register, or for more information, please contact Liat Goldstein at liat@jwicanada.com

Friday, 28 September 200712:30 ― 2:00 pmCentre for Developing Area StudiesRoom 1003715 Peel StreetFor information, contact CDAS:by email at adm.cdas@mcgill.ca or call 514-398-3507