sexual abuse
GRITtv: Ann Jones: The Wounds of War
"We talk about this fault break between war and peace, and it doesn't work that way for women," notes Ann Jones, longtime journalist, author and humanitarian. Women, she points out, are often victims of sexual violence long after the official peace agreements are signed, and they often become the victims of abuse when soldiers come home traumatized and unable to deal with what they've seen and done. Jones was recently embedded with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and also has a new book out, War Is Not Over When It's Over: Women Speak Out from the Ruins of War. She joins Laura in studio to discuss her time reporting on conflicts around the world, and what happens to the people who survive them.
GRITtv: Sept. 29 2010
We hear a lot about "post-racial" politics these days--the election of Barack Obama supposedly has led us into a post-racial age, but have we really seen anything change? Not much, notes Kimberle Crenshaw, co-founder of the African-American Policy Forum, and it's not really new either. But a lack of a sense of history is another symptom of today's politics, and Crenshaw notes that even black elected officials and candidates sometimes fall victim. Crenshaw joins Laura in studio for a look at black tea party candidates, the troubles facing Adrian Fenty and other black mayors, and the problem with claims of "reverse racism." "We talk about this fault break between war and peace, and it doesn't work that way for women," notes Ann Jones, longtime journalist, author, and humanitarian. Women, she points out, are often victims of sexual violence long after the official peace agreements are signed, and they often become the victims of abuse when soldiers come home traumatized and unable to deal with what they've seen and done. Jones was recently embedded with U.S. soldiers in Afghanistan, and also has a new book out, War Is Not Over When It's Over: Women Speak Out from the Ruins of War. She joins Laura in studio to discuss her time reporting on conflicts around the world, and what happens to the people who survive them. And Laura has some thoughts on just why the cycle of war never ends, and wonders why we can't seem to figure out the simple answers.
GRITtv: Speaking Out: Transgender Detainee Faces Twice the Abuse
Esmeralda came to the U.S. seeking asylum from her native Mexico. She tried twice to enter the country legally, each time forced into detention. As a transgender woman, she was segregated and subjected to abuse from guards on her first attempt, and when she tried again, she was held with male detainees. Eventually, her claim was successful and today she works as an advocate for others who have survived sexual violence. In this video from Breakthrough, she tells her story of speaking out against abuse.
