Frederica Wilson: “``gender-based violence''--a phrase the world has coined to speak internationally about violence, abuse, rape, assault…”

“``gender-based violence''--a phrase the world has coined to speak internationally about violence, abuse, rape, assault, and disrespect of women. Women like our mothers, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, friends, and most especially our children. Gender-based violence permeates the world, generally in far away countries, far from the civilized democratic world that we communicate with and befriend. To the women of this Congress and the women of the world, take a moment to imagine trying to survive without a response from the police, without the ability to press charges and being able to actually see your assailant day after day if you are a victim of gender-based violence. Contemplate life without access to medical care to address your physical, mental, and emotional trauma. Imagine having nowhere to hide. This scenario sounds like 100 years ago in a world far from our country, but in reality it is just a two-hour flight away from my congressional district of Miami, Florida. It actually describes gender- based violence in Haiti. But through smart policy and the strength and courage of Haitian women, it's a reality that's within our power to change. {time} 1030 The 2010 earthquake in Haiti brought a striking increase in incidents of gender-based violence. Nearly half of the victims are girls under 18, and many cases involve the use of weapons, gang rape, and death threats for seeking help from authorities.…”