Stop Violence Against Women

Did you know that one out of every three women in the world will be sexually or physically abused in her lifetime? It's not just a problem in war-torn areas, but also in stable places like America and El Salvador.

Abuse can happen at any economic level. Some of these women, if they are already poor, can experience a perverse double impact: the initial violence can push them deeper into poverty. That's because the effects of the abuse, both physical and emotional, can make it difficult for them to provide for their families. Some of them are shunned from their families. We have an obligation to do everything in our power to make sure abuse against women is reduced and ultimately eliminated. It's not just a woman's issue, it's human rights.

It's time to end the most endemic forms of violence against women:

• Domestic Violence


• Sexual Assault


• Sexual Harassment


• Trafficking in Women

Domestic violence is directed against women by their family members or someone very close to them is an epidemic of global proportions that has devastating physical, emotional, financial and social effects on women, children, families and communities around the world.

Women are sexually assaulted by state officials while in police or other forms of state custody; they are raped during armed conflict and as refugees; they are sexually assaulted and abused by their spouses and intimate partners.

Sexually harassing conduct causes devastating physical and psychological injuries to a large percentage of women in workplaces internationally. Harassment directed against women in the workplace by their supervisors, fellow employees or third parties interferes with the integration of women in the workforce, reinforces the subordination of women to men in society, violates women's dignity and creates a health and safety hazard at work.


Both men and women may be victims of trafficking, but the primary victims worldwide are women and girls, the majority of whom are trafficked for the purpose of sexual exploitation. Traffickers target primarily females because they are disproportionately affected by poverty and discrimination, factors that impede their access to employment, educational opportunities and other resources. Many of our missing children are targeted for this purpose. I was shocked to find out some of the biggest sources of trafficking are right here in America.


These victims face a range of needs including physical and mental health care, job training and employment issues, housing issues and, possibly, childcare.


Thank you for standing with survivors of violence around the world. Voice your opinion! I know this is not a popular topic but one must voice it in the wind when we hear of such tragedies.


We must give these women and children hope.