International Rescue Committee (IRC)

VOICES FROM THE FIELD THE IRC BLOG - Sexual violence

Sexual Violence

Posted by The.IRC on February 8th, 2012
Stories of horrific violence in Congo are all too common; however, there are even more attacks—especially on women and children—that we don’t hear about. Learn how an IRC-affiliated program is using cell phones to connect those who have experienced violence with those who can help them. more »
Posted by Jane Yang on November 25th, 2011
As the sun sets over Dadaab, my IRC colleague Ruth Kimaathi happily takes time out after a long day to sip tea and talk with me about her job: counseling courageous women who have endured conflict and famine in Somalia. more »
Posted by The.IRC on November 2nd, 2011
Jeanne Helene Victor is one of a team of volunteers trained by the IRC to support survivors of sexual violence in their communities in Haiti. "When we intervene in cases of domestic violence, people listen to us," she says. more »
Posted by melissa.winkler on October 18th, 2011
I recently visited the Kailahun Women’s Center -- a special place where women gather to talk, learn new skills, like soap-making and catering, and conduct business. It also serves as a safe house for women and girls who have been sexually assaulted and need short-term shelter. more »
Posted by melissa.winkler on October 14th, 2011
“It is not your fault,” says the IRC’s Amie Kandeh, consoling a 14-year-old girl named Fulamatu. It’s an important message in a country where women and girls are regularly blamed for the rapes they suffer and assailants are rarely prosecuted. more »
Posted by The.IRC on October 12th, 2011
IRC rape counselors provide individual emotional support and family mediation. They also work with communities to change attitudes -- in particular -- placing blame where it is deserved, rather than on victims. more »
Posted by melissa.winkler on October 3rd, 2011
The IRC's Melissa Winkler is in Sierra Leone, on location with the film crew of Half the Sky, a documentary series to air in 2012 on abuses and inequities faced by women and girls around the world and inspiring women who are combating them and finding solutions. more »
Posted by The.IRC on April 13th, 2011
IRC women’s protection expert Liz Pender has been meeting with groups of Ivorian women and girls who fled to Liberia in recent weeks to escape the violence ravaging Ivory Coast. Liz was quoted in an IRC statement released today that expresses concern that those who are reporting incidents of sexual violence represent a tiny fraction of the victims. more »
Posted by The.IRC on March 9th, 2011
At a rural health clinic run by the IRC where rape survivors receive counseling and medical care, Julie (not her real name) recalls the night she was raped by eight armed men wielding rifles and machetes. more »
Posted by Elisabeth.Roesch on March 8th, 2011
Margot Wallström’s open style, hands-on attitude and good sense of humor are refreshing for one of the most powerful women in the UN. Not to mention, critically important tools for someone whose job is to confront one of the toughest and most important challenges of our time: rape in conflict. more »

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