Durex, through its Birds and Bees Talk initiative, is launching Asia’s first Consent Café at the Hornbill Festival in Nagaland. This innovative café aims to promote open conversations about consent, healthy relationships, and combat the alarming rise of gender-based violence in India.
Three recent incidents in Karnataka highlight the disturbing trend of men killing women after being rejected or scorned. In Kodagu, a 16-year-old girl was beheaded by a 33-year-old man after she agreed to an engagement with another person. In Hubballi, a first-year MCA student was stabbed to death on campus by a former classmate who was allegedly obsessed with her. And in Bengaluru, a 46-year-old man killed his 25-year-old colleague after she ended their relationship. These incidents underscore the toxic masculinity pervasive in society, where men feel entitled to control and possess women and resort to violence when their advances are rejected.
Ohio lawmakers are advancing a bill that could eliminate the state’s spousal rape loophole, but numerous other states continue to have laws that protect individuals accused of raping their spouses.
Advocates have long emphasized the importance of removing these loopholes, as they create barriers for victims seeking help and protection. Many states have taken steps to close these loopholes in recent years, but several still have laws in place that limit the circumstances under which a spouse can be charged with rape.
The ongoing efforts to repeal spousal rape loopholes highlight the need to combat outdated beliefs about sexual violence within marriage and relationships. By speaking out and sharing their experiences, survivors play a crucial role in fostering change and ensuring that victims of sexual assault receive the support and justice they deserve.
An exclusive CBC investigation reveals that over the past decade, more than 453 suspensions with pay were given to Ontario police officers accused of gender-based violence, costing taxpayers $134 million. These cases include assault, domestic violence, and sexual harassment, with more than one-third tied directly to gender-based violence. Despite their responsibility to protect vulnerable people, police officers are disproportionately perpetrators of domestic violence, according to research. Survivors of police abuse face additional trauma due to the breach of trust and the potential for inadequate support from the justice system.
In the wake of the tragic murder of a childcare worker in Forbes, NSW, Premier Chris Minns has acknowledged the shortcomings of the current bail system for domestic violence victims. The government is now exploring a range of reforms, including removing bail decisions from registrars and establishing specialized domestic violence courts like those in Queensland’s Gold Coast. The move comes after the former partner of the victim, Molly Ticehurst, was granted bail despite facing numerous charges related to stalking and intimidation. Her death has sparked outrage, highlighting the need for urgent action to protect vulnerable women from violence.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has urged men and boys to take responsibility for ending violence against women, saying it is a scourge that is unacceptable. He also announced that the government has committed additional funding to provide safe places for women.
