By Chiara Liguori Caribbean researcher for Amnesty International
Victims are afraid to report cases of rape or sexual violence © Amnesty International
Since the first days of the earthquake, many humanitarian and human rights organizations, including Amnesty International, have issued warnings about the increased risk of gender based and sexual violence.
The risks are well founded. Thousands of displaced people are sleeping in public spaces in just one square meter or even less; women are obliged to bath almost naked under the eyes of the other residents and passers-by; children sleep alone at night because they are unaccompanied or their mothers are working outside the camps in order to feed them.
However, since the earthquake women’s organizations have registered a drastic reduction in reported cases of sexual violence. The self-organized camp management committees confirmed to Amnesty International that sexual violence is not an issue and that security commissions to patrol the camps at night have been set up. Most of the women in the camps interviewed by us did not express concerns about sexual violence.
So what is happening we asked ourselves. Have we got it wrong? Have we over-estimated the risks? Or, is it that women are too scared to report? Are we talking to the right people?
It was Malya, one of the co-founders of KOFAVIV, a women’s grassroots organization dealing with the medical and psychological needs of rape victims, who started to clarify the issue. Malya’s house and office were destroyed in the earthquake, together with Eramithe, also a KOFAVIV co-founder, she is living in Champ de Mars, one of the biggest makeshift camps in Port-au-Prince.
Grassroots organizations are the only source of information on cases of sexual violence © Amnesty International
Even though they have lost all their belongings, they have not lost their will to fight sexual violence against women and girls. In two months, 19 women and girls living in their section of the camp have reported cases of rape and sexual assault. Even though they encouraged women to lodge complaints with the police, none of them would. They were too afraid, either because the attackers were living in the camp, or in nearby areas, or because they had no other place to go. Not trusting the police to protect them and knowing that the justice system is paralysed since the earthquake, they preferred to keep quiet. Those who have relatives in other parts of the country chose to quit. The victims are fleeing while the perpetrators are still around, probably looking for the next victim.
In the absence of a centralized system for recording cases of sexual violence, grassroots organizations working in the camps are the only source of information. Living alongside women and girls in the camps, they are able to identify who needs help.
Margaret, a social worker for the organization Zanmi Timoun (Friends of children) has reached out to dozens of girls living in camps who have been victims of rape and incest either before or after the quake. We interviewed 5 of them.
The sadness of these girls, their low voices, their pains and their fears speak clearer and louder than any data or number. One of them is pregnant, another is afraid of being pregnant, some are terrified of being killed by their attackers. They look resigned and submissive. When we asked them what they want most in life, all of them assertively said they wanted to continue to go to school. One of them gave us a message to pass to the authorities: “You need to protect the girls, because I don’t want anybody to suffer what I have been going through”.
The girls are right. As a nation, we have made ourselves a reputation for intervening in foreign affairs. Why has this one not come to our attention? We don’t need to send armies to Haiti, but we do need to raise awareness about the violence, otherwise we send a global message that we condone the actions of the perpetrators. The media and tighter security are probably the best hope for girls in these camps right now.
such kind of people must arrested or put to death because they are killing somebody’s future
We must not forget these Women and children as it would be a disgrace!
The International community must also send a police force to help the understaffed, overworked and now probably disorganized Haitian police. The country is in choas and suffering greatly. It needs more than money, it needs now also stability.
I have just returned from my second stint as a relief worker in Haiti. I can confirm that rape and domestic violence are on the rise there. We say double the number of violent crimes against women on my second deployment as there were on my first. The haitian police anf gov’t are virtually non-responsive to the plight of the victims of this crime and do little/nothing to stop the assaults. I would suggest that Amnesty International open a permanent mission in Haiti as this problem will only increase as desperation grows during the rainy season, and as the problems of homelessness, poverty and malnutrition will be issues for years to come. Haiti needs Amnesty to be there to expose abuses and to defend the human rights of the people.
We can only hope that by awareness our government can help these injust actions to stop happening. At such terrible times for these women it is unfortunate thta these things still go on.
One woman raped is one too many and I’m sure I speak for 99.9% of the world on that count. I’m not, however, sure that Amnesty has any technical expertise in terms of how to reduce this in Haiti in this situation. Rich foreigners with no particular expertise should be careful with well intentioned comments and advice to countries in these sort of situtations. If my house had burned down I’m not sure I’d appreciate advice from a wealthy neigbour about how best to run my household or spend my very limited resources.
i wanna help those people. i’m gonna put an foundation to help raped victimes. i realyy live with them.because suzie was raped in frint of her childeren
i have a daughter growing up . you know what that means raped in front of your own child.
im gonna pray for those people.
god give them power and let those evil mens stay away.
gods angel will watch over you ……
Micael Wild of Australia. Suppose the Haitian women were white women being raped, you’d want any agency available in there doing their best to stop it. Racism is at the base of this tolerance for sexual genocide.
Wow I can’t believe that is happening. They are already facing tough times and to have that happen on top of that is just wrong. People should have better morals and I just can’t imagine how people would even do that in the first place
This article makes me want to donate some money for the Haitian people. I hope the EU and other organizations will make their lives better eventually.
We need to understand that this things are happening and many others cruel things are all around us. Only by being aware of them we can get past them. Cheers
The ripple effects of the earthquake continue to be a challenge for the country and it is really a tragedy. It is good that people haven’t given up though and as long as they don’t things will work out in the end.
It is difficult to understand why the international community does not support Haiti as it ought to. Possibly because the country is among the poorest in the world and does not have any natural resources like oil, gas, copper etc.! In order to rebuild a country a functional administration is elementary and this comprises also public security. If Haiti itself is not able to provide this security than e.g. UN soldiers could do that. It is not acceptable and a shame for all the world to read what is going on there now with the weakest members of Haitian society.
I cannot believe this is going on! The country is already facing multiple issues and people are going to turn around and do this? This is awful and should be taken care of immediately!
Wow, such a sad article to read. Awareness really needs to be raised significantly for what goes in this part of the world. It’s terrible that Haitian women have to suffer this.
Why is this sort of thing allowed to happen? The world is way too political.
I have just returned from my second stint as a relief worker in Haiti. I can confirm that rape and domestic violence are on the rise there. We say double the number of violent crimes against women on my second deployment as there were on my first. The haitian police anf gov’t are virtually non-responsive to the plight of the victims of this crime and do little/nothing to stop the assaults. I would suggest that Amnesty International open a permanent mission in Haiti as this problem will only increase as desperation grows during the rainy season, and as the problems of homelessness, poverty and malnutrition will be issues for years to come. Haiti needs Amnesty to be there to expose abuses and to defend the human rights of the people.
It is amazing what happened to this country over the last 50 years. There was so much promise and now it seems all but gone. The Haitian people are absolutely wonderful, yet their country is a mess. I hope something can happen soon to make life better in that country.
because humans are animals, no seriously, those people are just un-educated non intelligent, thats why they rape, they dont know what they are doing…
My God, this is just too awful!! I understand rapes happen everywhere and many women have gone through this kind of pain, but…we’re talking about a country which has suffered an enermous tragedy as it weren’t enough, they have to deal with rape too?? What kind of world are we living in? Who are those people that are committing such a filthy crime?
This is to much I think this people will have to start believing in god and praying to him to see some wonders happens in that country
With all the trouble that poor country has gone through, and now this? How can people develop such a personality and way of life to do such harm to helpless individuals?
Jail for the raping crime. It is so simple.
disgusting that such acts can occur in times like these
Thank you for continuing to raise awareness about such issues. Don’t forget to visit http://www.amnesty.org to see how you can help.
this is insane… i remember when the earthquake happened and there was a lot of money raised to help those get back on their feet. what’s happening now? nothing has changed and everyone seems to ignore it
Wow, I can’t believe this. It is so awful.
this world is really crazy. i see lots of bad things in a lot of places. this new is simply another example of the (bad) capabilities of the human race.
This is absolutely appalling. People in the U.S. should be ever thankful that we live in a wonderful nation. My heart goes out to all the women suffering in these conditions.
Wow, such a sad article to read. Awareness really needs to be raised significantly for what goes in this part of the world. It’s terrible that Haitian women have to suffer this.
I never thought there is such a place on Earth. I feel sad for them
Its a real shame that when your defenses are taken down, the unlawful are free to take at will. Its a real shame as its against a persons humanity. awareness is not enough, help to rebuild so the protection goes back in place is needed.
All around the world, no matter what happens, whether its a social reform or a mutiny or a fight for freedom or war for reserves, the only group that suffer the most are women and children. A society is considered to be blessed and humane if it can treat them well in the first place.
This is really troubling to read. Wish there was more I could do to help protect these girls and women from criminals.
This article makes me want to donate some money for the Haitian people. We can only hope that by awareness our government can help these injust actions to stop happening. At such terrible times for these women it is unfortunate thta these things still go on.
Its unbelievable people can do this to other human. I wonder if they have a heart or a stone!
If the emotional trauma from these assaults and rape was not enough, there is the fear of contracting the HIV virus. I really feel for these helpless people.
Quite sad really. These people need help and most government just turns a blind eye.
The government have the onus to help the Haitian people. It’s terrible that Haitian women have to suffer this.
This is absolutely appalling. People in the U.S. should be ever thankful that we live in a wonderful nation. My heart goes out to all the women suffering in these conditions.
Very sad
This is really sad and should not be allowed to happen. We need action.
I think this is one of the more significant information for me on Sexual violence in Haitian camps of the displaced, beyond the numbers at Livewire – Amnesty International blogging for human rights. I’ve researched some others and they’re just not the same high level. And i’m glad reading your article. But should remark on some general things, The site style is very good, the articles is really excellent : D. Good job, cheers
We have been alerted just a minute ago about the grave situation you are facing. We will see what we can do for you.
@Teri Tyler – So you’re saying racism is at the heart of this “intolerance”. GTFO…So I guess the Haitian men themselves are “racists” since they let rapes go unpunished? Sounds to me like they should stand up to the plate and at least attempt to help their own women before we have to go into yet another country and clean up their indifferent mess.
really sad these pictures
We are not only forgetting Women and children but losing faith in humanity.
Yes, you make a point here, humanity is the most important thing that we should do not forget.
I hope google will disclose more detail on this incident, and details on how they work with US security department.thank youJack
Truly sad to hear about
It seems that disasters such as this will bring out the best and the worst in human nature. For many the best will come out and those will seek to find those in need and help all they can. For others the worst and they will seek out those they can prey on like a wolf after easy pickings. It’s a tragedy and a shame.
really sad these pictures
After all the horrible thinks that has happened to them. This is very sad.
maybe the new president Michel Martelly make it better.
Just terrible reading this
Really sad is how the pictures look.
OMG … sigh….
what can we do .,whether the Government took action ???
This saddens me so much… Let’s hope that the new president can make Haiti better
It is stories like this that makes you wonder why we give so much money to the UN. Seems like this is a perfect situation for the UN to prove our money is not being wasted.
It is a sad state of affairs really, lets hope things improve soon.
I’m wondering why the international press and media is so calm about this issue? Nothing to read about Haiti anymore?
some times it really does make you think about if there is a god! Haven’t those poor souls gone through enough. The UN have always been weak, they really should be ashamed.
The world seems to have forgotten about Haiti and the country shows no sign of pulling out of its malaise. Regretably there are no votes to be won by helping out people in another country. Very sad.
It’s really sad conditions in Haiti still even after some time has passed, and it’s really disturbing to hear of these issues of sexual violence. Can only pray that things improve with the new government that is in place!
Haiti’s already fragile law and order system has been a complete breakdown since the earthquake.We can take a stand. Blow the whistle on violence against women.
A woman with a whistle in her hand has a simple but powerful tool to call for the help of her community when she faces an attacker.
MADRE works with KOFAVIV, a grassroots Haitian organization created by and for rape survivors to distribute whistles in the camps, to offer urgent care to rape survivors and to demand an end to sexual violence in the camps.
For more information about MADRE’s work to end sexual violence in Haiti, visit madre.org
you will never see this sort of thing on the news headline the so called world leaders makes me sick
This misery i know very well, in my country Morocco is not better.
Time and time again it seems that once the media organisations have had there fill of disaster in one country they move on to the next taking with them the majority of the public. This in itself is a disaster as the focus obviously shifts and the terrible things mentioned in the article are allowed to begin/continue without the glare of the camera. I am therefore called that there are organisations like Amnesty who are able to pick up the pieces and continue the work that was started.
God lead the way towards everyone.
God bless you :S..
I totally agree with Will. Once the media organizations have had their fill of disaster they move on to the next taking with them the majority of the public.
Please do as I did and follow the MADRE’s work and make a donation to end sexual violence in Haiti. Go to madre.org right now and let’s all every woman in this devastated country feel a little safer with a whistle in their hand. God bless Haiti
It’s really sad conditions in Haiti still even after some time has passed, and it’s really disturbing to hear of these issues of sexual violence. Can only pray that things improve with the new government that is in place!
Ey God, please help them
Sexual violence in Haiti,Is can learn people that to control family planning?
God will help Haiti, I know he will..
Rich foreigners with no particular expertise should be careful with well intentioned comments and advice to countries in these sort of situations.
I’m very sorry for what is going on in Haiti.That must stop!
When i see news about Haiti i am deeply shocked. I hope all will be ok soon Kind regards from Turkey.
İtz problem of all people.everybody must be responsable ..
I think there are serious problems in many less developed societies in this regard. it is the basis of equal justice, social life, going through to make investments.
really sad these pictures…
Allah sizi korusun.
societal solidarity and justice, I say come
elemen ilanı hertürlü ilanda sınırsız bir seri ilan sitesi
A very sad news. I feel very sorry for Haiti, I wish I could help.
It’s really sad conditions in Haiti still even after some time has passed, and it’s really disturbing to hear of these issues of sexual violence. Can only pray that things improve with the new government that is in place!
you will never see this sort of thing on the news headline the so called world leaders makes me sick
as for me sexual violence is the most important factors, because lot of women now experience such as rape cases.. and there are a lot of rape case also who did not compromise to solve.
After all the disasters that these people been through is very sad to hear that the government is very corrupt and don’t care for the well being of its own people
fetullah sizi korusun
What’s most disturbing is the sexual violence of these people who were just seeking help. I hope things improve with the new government in place!
sexual violence is a very bad situation
This is the sorry state of affairs, when legal system fails to give the justice and the administrators who are accountable to protect the people turn blind.
Those who are in authority must do something about this. Those innocent child and helpless women never deserved such sexual harassments. They already have enough misery going thru all that earthquake.
These disasters truly pose a major threat on people’s overall aspect of life. But taking advantage of each other in this woeful times is simply unimaginable.
It just breaks my heart knowing this unlawful act. I hope that this will be an eye opener to all of us to prevent sexual violence and help those women.
this is what news headlines won’t tell you or show…what a terrible situation, all very sad.
Absolutely against sexual violence.
Really very disgusting…
realy sexual violence
Why haven’t we hear this kind of story on the news so we can start act upon it?
Soo sad to read about it, and good someone is informing everyone what really happens
It just breaks my heart knowing this unlawful act.
Really sad these picture…
Upset to these pictures.. really upset..
Where is Humanity. This photo is very sad indeed. I am ashamed of the human being.
Hey, thanks for the article post.
A very successful site.
Thank you for documents.
It makes me sad to see poor people that always starve..
I feel very sorry for Haiti
The tragedy in Haiti really broke my heart. Let’s help them recover.
One of them gave us a message to pass to the authorities: “You need to protect the girls, because I don’t want anybody to suffer what I have been going through”.
That should be the best solution. Why don’t the grass roots organization actively seek the help of local police and ask them to have even just a single policeman patrol the area every 4 hours? It will make these criminal acts stop with a constant police visibility.
“Thousands of displaced people are sleeping in public spaces in just one square meter or even less”
Is this really one square meter? or is this just a figure of speech…Coz however I look at it, one thousand people won’t fit in a square meter. But I do get the idea. I hope the Haiti condition have improved even just a bit now.
Erick I think your interpretation is not realistic. To me you do not think that a healthy OSB Haberleri
It’s so sad and very painfully especially to the women of haiti, let’s help them by send more blogs and tell the international community that their is a very serious case here in haiti that we need to act.
Haiti is a basket case and will continue to be until proper reforms are instituted to really free the people from the mind slavery passed on from generations. Good work by dedicated group of professionals and I do hope it is enough.
Sexual violence in Haitian camps of the displaced, beyond the numbers at Livewire – Amnesty International blogging for human rights Very nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your rss feed and I hope you write again soon!