Violence Against Women - One Billion Rising

Violence against women is an epidemic plaguing the world. Women are raped, tortured, molested, sold, beaten, KILLED on an hourly basis and we all seem to turn a blind eye to the hurt and pain they are enduring. It seems that so many have come to condone and accept that women will be ill treated and discarded at the discretion of the male gender. We hear the constant incidents of rape, assault, murder, threats and we are still able to blame the survivor. What did you do to cause this? How did you lead him on? How many more victims do we have to add to the current statistics before we acknowledge the problem and take action to change?

Violence against women has been a problem for many years. It appears that although times have changed, the way the woman is viewed and treated has not. Condoning the actions of a rapist, molester, batterer make you an accessory to the crime. Looking the other way makes you as guilty as the one committing the crime. We have to let go of the common phrase that it is not my business. Our human right is to be safe and secure in our bodies, your human duty is to protect those around you from being used, ill-treated and abused. We expect that someone would aid us if we were being attacked so why are we not willing to do the same for others? Why is it so easy to blame the victim and assume the assault against her was her vault? Why are we not asking her abuser what made him believe it was ok to force himself on someone who said no, laid still and didn't react, fought back, said no, please stop, when did it become ok to force and threaten someone into submission? Why is that never one of the 1^st questions asked of the one committing the assault? Why is his character not attacked? It is baffling that after a sexual assault, a survivor comes forth, and they would be blamed for causing this heinous act against themselves. NO-ONE ASKES TO BE VIOLATED.

We, at PROSAF, have acknowledged that violence against women is a problem in St.Lucia and the wider Caribbean. We are here to begin the metamorphosis that is desperately needed. We are always here to listen and if you are not ready to come forward but need a listening ear feel free to contact us. Sexual assault is something that happened to you, it, does not define you. You are worthy of love and happiness. You are a strong, beautiful, intelligent woman who has suffered a trauma through no fault of your own. You are not guilty of any crime, something was done to you against your will. Always remember that you are not alone, that you have nothing to be ashamed of. We are taking the baby steps necessary to make it better for all. KNOW YOU HAVE A SUPPORT GROUP IN PROSAF.

On 14^th February 2013 we will be hosting the ONE BILLION RISING EVENT in the Derek Walcott Square from 12-5pm. The ONE BILLION RISING EVENT is a global event taking place all over the world on that day. The event is aimed at taking a stance against violence against women. We ask that you join us in this fight. Come stand with us, not only as a survivor but as someone who knows someone who has been violated, or someone who sees the need for a change in our culture. Stand for those who are too afraid, rise for those who need our help. The attitude towards violence against women on  island needs to change, that can only happen with your help. 

We can be contact by via the information below:

Email:ssaitco@hotmail.com - thepowerofone_v@hotmail.com

Telephone: 1-758-724-9991(sue)1-758-723-6466(vel)

Face book:

PROSAF- Surviving Sexual Abuse in the Caribbean 

PROSAF_ThePower OfOne

Twitter: 

@Prosaf_Sueezzy

@VelikaLawrence

Website: 

http://www.prosaf.org