-Sexual Assaults Rising in Haiti in Quake Aftermath

Sexual Assaults Rising in Haiti in Quake Aftermath

By: KimmiE M.

Have you ever been sexually harassed, stalked or even raped? If you have, my utmost sympathy goes to you; however, it also goes to the many women in Haiti who endure this pain every single day they open their eyes. Even children as young as age two are being abused and sexually molested. These women suffer from these pains in addition to the misfortune of losing many of their families and friends in the Jan. 12^th earthquake catastrophe. If you were in a situation where security was scarce, you had no male protection and were unable to turn to the police for help, what would you do? Where would you turn?

In an article published on March 17 of the Virgin Islands Daily News entitled “Sexual assaults rising in Haiti in quake aftermath”, (http://repeatingislands.com/2010/03/17/women-girls-rape-victims-in-haiti-quake-aftermath/) Michelle Faul of the Associated Press, talks about another catastrophe occurring on the damaged lands of Port-au-Prince, Haiti. When reviewing this article, I was deeply hurt and disturbed to know that these young women are being mistreated in their homelands after such a devastating event. I began to think of my sister, cousins and nieces, and it pained me as I imagined any of them having endured such pain. It pained more to know that there just might be no hope for the Haitians

In this article, Faul discusses conditions in the tent camps, where the homeless now live, stating, “With no lighting and no security, they are menacing places after sunset. Sexual assaults are daily occurrences in the biggest camps, aid workers say- and most attacks go unreported because of the shame, social stigma and fear of reprisals from attackers.” These women and young girls are being taken advantage of and cannot turn to the police for assistance. Faul gives an example of the women’s point of view with an interview of a victim. ‘“They grabbed me and put their hands over my mouth and the three of them took turns…. We are afraid that people will find out and shun us,’ said a 21- year old, wriggling in discomfort as she nursed her new born baby.”

Police Chief Mario Andresol blamed the attacks on the more than 7, 000 prisoners who escaped by the collapsed prisons during the earthquake. “Bandits are taking advantage to harass and rape women and young girls under the tents,” he told reporters two weeks after the quake. In the largest camp of some 47,000 people reside a dozen escaped prisoners; among them is a notorious killer, according to human rights advocate, Fritznel Pierre, who also resides at the camp. “We are aware of the problem…but it’s not a priority,” the Information Minister Marie-Lawrence Jocelyn Lassegue told reporters a month in advance.

The Information Minister thinks this is not a priority?! These women are going to die from the spread of HIV/AIDS because unlike STD’s such gonorrhea, AIDS cannot be cured. Women and young girls are having necessary treatments for gonorrhea infections…and many others are now infected with HIV/AIDS. Is this not enough? Doesn’t the minister have the slightest sympathy for these women?

A prime example of young children being sexually abused and having necessary STD treatments was a 7-year old victim who was taken for medical treatment at a hospital of a tent camp set up on a golf course. Along with this young and defenseless child is yet another, even younger, a 2-year old who had been raped at the exact same camp grounds as the 7-year old girl. They were both treated for the gonorrhea, according to Faul. This article also states that Haiti now has the highest level of infected rates in the western hemisphere. The population of Haitians has also been lessened by the death of more than 200,000 people since the disastrous earthquake. I would say that this is a major priority of which deserves much attention and effort.

You may be wondering, “How can we, the people, help?” As you may already know, President Barack Obama has allowed undocumented Haitians to remain in the U.S until the year 2012 (http://giveusliberty1776.blogspot.com/2010/01/illegal-haitians-will-be-allowed-to.html). This is the time for the people of Haiti to take this advantage and go to their relatives for help. We need to allow these people to stay with their relatives who are among us and find jobs and homes until they return to their lands.

As for the more than 7,000 prisoners who escaped after the earthquake, I suggest that America send police and Army officials who will actually do their jobs, to capture these criminals and send them to an off-island prison until Haiti is fully established with a new and improved prison system. We are a nation that fights for others and wishes for peace. I would say that this is a great way to ensure peace between nations. Let us open our hands to those in need; our generosity may pay off in the long run.