Feminicide, Sexual Violence, Sexual Assault and Harrasment
It's a form of gender violence and it occurs all around the world more often than we imagine. Shreena Thakore, a young feminist and speaker put it this way: “If you think that rape is wrong for the wrong reasons. You are part of the problem. Rape is the symptom of a larger social disease: power structures [...]" (Ted Talk, 2015).
Solving the problem involves the hardest form of change in a variety of areas. From systematic and political change to cultural and behavioral change. It takes centuries to build a culture that links directly to identity and even longer to deconstruct it or change it. In a system and a country where this is a taboo topic and 'machismo' is still a cultural norm, females continue to be at a disadvantage and constantly vulnerable positions. We learn about prevention instead of education and respect from a very young age without intention. If we don't talk about it, become comfortable with the discomfort of a conversation our culture and safety will hardly change and improve.
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'Machismo' is a term often used to describe a culture, attitudes or behaviors that show or believe in the prejudice of male superiority over women. In English, referred to as male chauvinism. Tightly connected to rape culture and sexual violence around the world.
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As a consequence of living such events, survivors often experience PTSD, anxiety, and depression. Because of shame, fear, doubt, and self-blame, it is challenging for victims to speak up about the events and will many times be frowned upon by society for doing so. Treatment and help is hard to access and economically unaffordable for many. Few alternatives are offered, while exercise is usually mentioned as part of the recovery process there isn't enough emphasis around it.
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To realize the proportions of the problem, here some statistics and facts of the world and Mexico on the topic that everyone should know (all facts from World Health Organization, United Nations, National Statistics and surveys or official news reports):
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It is estimated that 35% percent of women worldwide have experienced either physical and/or sexual intimate partner violence or sexual violence by a non-partner at some point in their lives.
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â…” women have experienced some form of violence (harassment or assault)
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Approximately 15 million adolescent girls (aged 15 to 19) worldwide have experienced forced sex (forced sexual intercourse or other sexual acts) at some point in their life.
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Infographic from: http://entornolaboral.com.mx and https://www.saludymedicinas.com.mx/
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Every year about +104 women are killed than the previous year​
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By age 18, 1 in 4 girls will be sexually assaulted​
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In Mexico, 93% of all crimes stay unsolved. So far in 2019, the reported sexual violence incidents have increased by 20% and only 2.4% of those cases aggressors end in jail.
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Up until August of this year (2019), there have been 22,749 cases of sexual violence have been reported in Mexico. Mostly from Chihuahua, Colima, Baja California, Mexico City and Querétaro.
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