Kylie,+Steffanie,+Austin

[]


 * Abstract-** This article talks about the increasing number of rape cases and sexual abuse against women in Haiti. The women in this article were offered no protection or justice, especially after the earthquake that hit. It also talks about how legal experts and anti-rape people are trying to change the situation for these victims. Many of the women in this society do not have a voice and therefore have no outlet of escape.

Discussion Questions: 1. How did the sexual violence against women become so bad? Was it always this bad?

2. How did the earthquake increase the fear for sexual violence in women?

3. How does being a third world country affect the number of rapes in Haiti?

4. What do you think the best solution is to decrease the number of rape incidents?

5. How do the girls under 18 who are raped recover? Can they recover?

6. Is rape considered as bad of an offense in Haiti compared to the United States?

Austin's response: The men taking advantage of the innocent women in these broken regions is sad. The government is also at fault because they have other issues to worry about other than the rape. The rape crime is just as important as fixing and rebuilding the rest of the city. These peoples entire homes have been crushed and there families torn apart. Rape is not only a physical abuse, but also an emotional one and stripes the women of there feelings. I think that Police are necessary for these close net communities for the protection of the children for the protection of the women and young girls. The men may feel desperate because they haven't been around women for several years now. I think the women have been struggling to survive on little food and water and now that men are out to rape them its just one more thing fro them to worry about.

Steffanie's response: I think that this article was a reality check. It made me see that I really am privileged to live in such a safe and sheltered world compared to what the women and girls of Haiti are living through. It was just so sad to read that these people, who were recently hit with disaster and loss are facing something terrible yet again. They are being taken advantage of, and they have no means to stop it. I think that the worst part is that due to the earthquake and its aftermaths, the women and girls of Haiti can no longer feel safe in their own homes, or makeshift homes at the most. They constantly live in fear of predators. However, I think it is wonderful that there are good people out there who are helping these victims of rape pro-bono. It gives me hope and although I know that the situation in Haiti is a long ways from being solved, these people are making a difference in the lives of so many Haitian women and children and their combined efforts are amounting to something so much bigger than themselves.

Kylie's response: This article made me mad because the women had no way of defending themselves. The women were so helpless because they are not heard by the government and no one is willing to listen. I think that the earthquake left these women even more helpless because they had less shelter and became weaker from the lack of resources. Being a third world country they do not have the most protective homes or resources like we do in America. In America it is easier to find some form of help group, but in Haiti they have no where to turn to. I think that it is very hard for these girls to recover due to the lack of help and repeated offenses against them.