Defending victims is the first step

The International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence occurs on June 19 every year. According to un.org, the United Nations defines conflict-related sexual violence as, rape, sexual slavery, forced prostitution, forced pregnancy, trafficking, forced abortion, forced marriage, and enforced sterilization. Because of the ways that COVID-19 has impacted living situations and the focus the media has had on the disease, there has been an increase in these problems.

Many survivors of sexual violence don’t come forward. When this happens, justice is not served, which allows the perpetrators to continue these acts. It is important to note that men and boys can also be subject to sexual violence and it isn’t just women and girls.

There are a few countries that still allow sexual assault in the form of marital rape: Ghana, India, Indonesia, Jordan, Lesotho, Nigeria, Oman, Singapore, and Sri Lanka (revelist.com/). This means that even if the residents of these countries report sexual violence, nothing will come out of it. That is one of the primary goals of this day, to make people aware of the problem and to address it for the benefit of everyone.

“On June 19, 2015, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed June 19th the International Day for the Elimination of Sexual Violence in Conflict. They chose June 19th to commemorate the adoption of the Security Council Resolution. The Resolution was adopted in 2008. The Council condemned sexual violence as a weapon of war and an obstruction to peace” (National Day Calendar).