[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 156 (2010), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12896]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




 CONDEMNING THE RISE OF SEXUAL VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN IN HAITI IN THE 
                      AFTERMATH OF THE EARTHQUAKE

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. RUSS CARNAHAN

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, July 13, 2010

  Mr. CARNAHAN. Madam Speaker, in the aftermath of the catastrophic 
earthquake, and its aftershocks, that struck Haiti in January, 2010, 
there has been a horrifying rise of sexual violence against displaced 
women there. I rise in condemnation of this unconscionable crime and 
fundamental violation of human rights. And, I call upon my colleagues 
in Congress, the administration, the international community, and all 
Americans to speak out against this abuse and act swiftly to end it.
  It is widely documented that sexual violence often increases in 
emergencies and post-crisis situations, due to mass displacements of 
people, lack of safe, secure shelter and other scarce resources, and 
the breakdown of rule of law. In Haiti, according to reports from the 
United Nations, Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch, major media 
outlets and many others, violence against women in the aftermath of the 
earthquake has risen dramatically.
  In particular, the displaced women in camps have been the main 
targets of sexual violence. These women have lost their homes, loved 
ones, contact with friends and family, and have nowhere else to go but 
to makeshift shelters often consisting of little more than a plastic 
tarp. These camps offer little privacy, order, or protection from any 
kind of danger.
  The conditions in the camps are so deplorable that they actually 
increase the chances of women and girls experiencing sexual violence. 
For example, men and women share the same latrines, which remain unlit 
after dark, effectively turning a basic necessity into a predatory 
opportunity and increasing the chances that a woman using those 
facilities will be raped.
  Access to food, clean water, health service and other critical 
necessities is also limited or nonexistent in these camps. This forces 
women to take on great personal risk and brave unsafe conditions simply 
to acquire essential requirements for survival, for themselves and 
their dependants.
  The breakdown of law enforcement has only exacerbated this 
intensifying problem. There is insufficient policing in and around the 
most volatile areas. Women have no recourse to report violence, seek 
protection from abuse, and ensure their cases are brought to justice. 
Often they are too afraid to speak because their attackers live in the 
same camp and the women fear retribution. They have nowhere to seek 
refuge.
  Furthermore, as many individuals are still unaccounted for, women and 
girls who are sexually assaulted are too often faceless, nameless 
victims. Any surviving family may not know their loved ones are out 
there, let alone in dire need of protection from rape.
  We must make the safety and protection of women and girls in Haiti a 
top priority during the ongoing recovery efforts. It is critical that 
we in Congress, along with the UN, human rights groups and non-
governmental organizations take a strong stand against this sexual 
violence and do all we can to protect women in Haiti during this 
difficult time of national crisis.
  We must not allow sexual violence against women in Haiti to continue. 
Freedom from violence and intimidation is essential to empowering women 
and improving societies all over the world. It is a fundamental human 
right.
  I strongly urge for a greater police presence as well as more 
peacekeeping forces on the ground to enhance and ensure security for 
vulnerable women and girls. Additionally, I strongly support efforts to 
help strengthen the capacity of local women's organizations. These 
local organizations help women acquire access to crucial medical and 
mental health services after an attack.
  Strengthening medical and counseling services while building a 
stronger and more effective security force that patrols the camps are 
critical first steps to curb the rampant rise of sexual violence and 
address its devastating consequences for women already suffering from 
the trauma of the earthquakes that devastated their country just six 
months ago.
  Madam Speaker, in the aftermath of the earthquake we saw a worldwide 
outpouring of support and goodwill that was truly inspirational and 
demonstrated the best of what is within all of us. We also heard a lot 
of talk about ensuring accountability, sustainability, and a commitment 
to revive Haiti at all levels, above and beyond pre-earthquake 
conditions. Now we are seeing an ugly rise of violence against the most 
vulnerable.
  We in Congress, along with our international partners, must stand up 
now to take bold action on ensuring that women and girls in Haiti are 
no longer targets of that violence. We need to make sure that women's 
rights in Haiti are protected in every capacity during and after 
reconstruction.
  We have committed ourselves and our resources to helping to rebuild 
Haiti. We cannot deliver on that promise if women's security is at 
risk. Full participation and empowerment of women in rebuilding and 
development processes are key components for success in Haiti, and this 
depends on ensuring their safety now.

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