Confronting Gang Rape Against Women: A Global Perspective

This week, we take a deep dive into one of the most disturbing and critical issues facing our world today: the mass rape of women and girls. We highlight horrific cases, including the trial of 51 men for the abuse of Gisèle Pelicot in France last year, and the appalling systemic use of sexual violence in war, which continues today in conflict zones like Sudan.

We explore the challenges faced by survivors in seeking justice, the cultural barriers that perpetuate the violence, and the urgent need for education and legal reforms worldwide. This episode aims to heighten awareness and support for women and girls who've faced trauma from such violence, reminding us of the power of collective intention in making an impact.

As always, we explore where we may hold intentions and prayers, and invite you join you to join us in sharing this.

See below for the contact information of help services offered to victims of rape. 

Please note that some listeners may find the topic covered in this episode disturbing.

Our intention holding and prayers starts at 20 minutes 7 seconds.

Suggested Intention Focus for this week

This week, as we reflect upon the horrific incidence of mass rape and abuse against women and girls, we suggest holding as our main intention:

We will that there will be a significant heightening of awareness among the people of wealthier nations, and a consequent move to support women and girls facing trauma as a result of rape or threats of rape in countries that are in are have been at war.

Please join us in holding this.

Read Ellen’s blog posts on sacredfeminist.com: https://sacredfeminist.com/category/from-ellen/. Read her Open Letter to the Universe at https://sacredfeminist.com/an-open-letter-to-the-universe/. Ellen’s post, Why Is There a Marker for Sexual Slavery? can be found at https://sacredfeminist.com/why-is-there-a-market-for-sexual-slavery/.

Find out more about Clive’s offer of one-to-one sessions with women who want a representative of men to hear and receive their stories, anger and pain at https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/WMF.html.

Help services for women and girls facing sexual abuse include:

1. Australia: 1800 RESPECT (telephone: 1800 737 732, text: 0458 737 732, website: https://au.reachout.com/challenges-and-coping/abuse-and-violence/sexual-assault-support-services ). Provides a 24/7 confidential sexual assault and family violence counselling service available via phone and webchat in Australia, and the National Sexual Abuse and Redress Support Service (Full Stop Australia) provides 24/7 telephone and face-to-face counselling for people impacted by institutional child sexual abuse.
2. Bangladesh: 10921: National helpline centre for violence against women, providing immediate service to victims and linking them to relevant agencies including doctors, counsellors, lawyers, DNA experts, and police officers. 109: Government helpline number for violence against women and prevention of child marriage.
3. Barbados: Barbados Professional Women Crisis Hotline: +1 246 435-8222 (24 hours a day). Supports domestic violence survivors dealing with physical, verbal, and emotional abuse.
4. Canada: The Alberta One-Line for Sexual Violence (1-866-403-8000), Salal Sexual Violence Support Centre's Crisis Line (1-877-392-7583) and Ontario’s Assaulted Women's Help Line (1-866-863-0511) provide 24/7 support.
5. Caribbean: One Stop Centres (OSCs): Provide free comprehensive services including health, psychosocial support, legal and police assistance at hospitals in several Caribbean countries.
6. Europe: The Women Against Violence Europe (WAVE) Network has more than 180 member organisations in 46 European countries. National helplines for 46 European countries are listed at https://wave-network.org/list-of-helplines-in-46-countries/.
7. France: Women for Women France offers support through the national domestic abuse and sexual violence support line (3919), and is now available in 185 languages, including in English.
8. Ghana: DOVVSU Helpline: 055-100-0900 (Domestic Violence and Victim Support Unit), Orange Support Centre Toll-Free Call Centre: +233 (0) 800 111 222, Boame App: A mobile app for reporting domestic violence and accessing support.
9. Hong Kong: RainLily: 2375 5322 (Mon-Fri 9:00 AM - 10:00 PM, Sat 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM), CEASE Crisis Centre: 18281 (24-hour hotline), Harmony House 24-hour Women Hotline: 2522 0434.
10. India: Women's Helpline (national): 1090, National Child Helpline: 1098, My Choices - Report sex trafficking hotline: 1800 419 8588 or SMS 'CHOICES' for domestic violence help: 56767.
11. Ireland: Dublin Rape Crisis Centre (DRCC) National Helpline: 1800 77 8888 (24/7, free, confidential). Provides support for those affected by rape, sexual assault, or sexual harassment at any time in their lives. Services include telephone counselling, and multilingual interpreting in over 240 languages. Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) offers information on available support services, including Rape Crisis Centres and Sexual Assault Treatment Units (SATUs) across the country. https://www.rapecrisisireland.ie/.
12. Jamaica: Woman Inc. Helpline and Crisis Centres: +876 929 9038. Ministry of Gender Abuse 24-hour hotline: +876 553 0372 and +876 929 2997. Jamaica Coalition Against Domestic Violence Hotline: 1800 598 7607.
13. New Zealand: Safe to talk (Kōrero mai, ka ora) is a 24/7 confidential sexual harm helpline, Call: 0800 044 334 Text: 4334 Email: support@safetotalk.nz Live webchat: www.safetotalk.nz[1].
14. Nigeria: Stand to End Rape support: 0809 596 7000, WARIF 24 Hr Helpline: +234 809 210 0009, Federal Government Toll Free Number for Violation of Girls and Women: 0800 72 73 2255, TAMAR SARC Hotline: 0909 133 3000 or 0909 277 7000, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) hotline (Lagos state): 0800 033 3333
15. Pakistan: The National Domestic Abuse Helpline: 0808 2000 247 (24/7 service. Women's Aid: Provides domestic abuse support for women and children and Karma Nirvana: Offers support for honour-based abuse and forced marriage (0800 5999 247).
16. The Philippines: Child Health and Intervention and Protective Service (CHIPS) Phone: 734-4216. Women's Legal and Human Rights Bureau, Phone: +63 (0)2 8921 4389.
17. Rwanda: Isange One Stop Centre: 3029 (24/7 toll-free helpline).
18. South Africa: National helplines include Women's Helpline: 0800 428 428, STOP Gender Violence Helpline: 0800 150 150 or 1207867# , Childline South Africa: 116 (toll-free) and the Human Trafficking Helpline: 0800 222 777.
19. Sri Lanka: ChildLine (1929): A free 24-hour helpline available in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. While primarily for child-related inquiries, it also responds to incidents of child abuse and can be accessed by adults to provide information. https://childprotection.gov.lk/en/what-we-do/1929-call-centre-helpline.
20. Uganda: Rape Hurts Foundation supports girls and women who have been victims of rape and sexual violence. https://www.rapehurts.org/
21. UK: https://www.csacentre.org.uk/find-a-support-service/ Lists various services offering support, including for minority groups. Rape Crisis England and Wales: Offers a 24/7 Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Line via telephone and online chat for anyone aged 16+ affected by sexual violence.
22. USA: National Sexual Assault Hotline: Operated by RAINN in the United States, this hotline provides 24/7 confidential support. Telephone: 800 656 4673, Website: https://rainn.org/resources. Approximately 1,200 RCCs across the country providing support, counselling and advocacy services.
23. Zimbabwe: Childline Zimbabwe: 116 (24-hour toll-free helpline). The Family Support Trust (FST): Offers medical and psychosocial support to children who have been sexually abused. https://fst.co.zw/. Musasa: Offers virtual helpdesk and shelter services. Adult Rape Clinic. https://musasa.co.zw/. 
24. Globally: Women and Girls Network Sexual Violence Helpline: While primarily for London-based individuals, offers support and may provide resources for international callers. Its website also provides advice leaflets in several languages. https://www.wgn.org.uk/service/sexual-violence-helpline/.

These mainly offer English language services. Outside of Europe, services in other languages are available in many countries.

Chapter markers:

00:00:00            Introduction          

00:01:10            Addressing Atrocities Against Women

00:05:16            The Global Scale of Abuse

00:08:21            Challenges in Pursuing Justice

00:14:10            The Role of Education in Prevention

00:18:31            Combating Toxic Masculinity

00:20:07            Intentions and Prayers

00:23:46            Support and Resources

00:28:49            Sacred Feminist

Sources referenced in this episode:

https://sacredfeminist.com/who-is-a-sacred-feminist/

https://www.dw.com/en/crisis-in-sudan-sexual-violence-rape-and-ethnic-attacks/a-69538323

https://www.unicefusa.org/stories/sexual-violence-against-children-used-weapon-war-sudan

https://www.genocidewatch.com/single-post/rape-as-a-weapon-of-war-and-genocide-in-sudan

https://www.abs.gov.au/statistics/people/crime-and-justice/recorded-crime-victims/latest-release

https://www.cps.gov.uk/south-west/news/three-members-organised-crime-group-sentenced-human-trafficking-and-rape

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakti_Mills_gang_rape

https://www.npr.org/2024/12/19/nx-s1-5232766/france-rape-trial-verdict

https://theweek.com/crime/frances-reckoning-over-largest-ever-child-sex-abuse-trial

https://apnews.com/article/france-ex-surgeon-child-abuse-rape-patients-4e1e627b9706c8032bcf38d4e4ed75fb

https://www.cdc.gov/sexual-violence/programs/ (about the USA-wide RPE program)

https://www.cps.gov.uk/about-cps/how-we-prosecute-rape

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/15248380241261404?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.1

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11545439/

https://www.cps.gov.uk/legal-guidance/rape-and-sexual-offences-chapter-5-issues-relevant-particular-groups-people

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/world/germany-shines-light-rape-allied-troops-who-defeated-nazis-n363136

https://core.ac.uk/reader/229591470

https://www.cps.gov.uk/domestic-abuse-context-and-challenges

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/1077801206293500?icid=int.sj-abstract.citing-articles.37

https://www.equallysafeatschool.org.uk/about-svpp/

https://www.nsvrc.org/prevention/rpe-program

https://www.endviolenceagainstwomen.org.uk/new-report-its-about-time-a-whole-school-approach-to-ending-violence-against-women-and-girls/

https://www.stgilestrust.org.uk/what-we-do/child-criminal-exploitation/preventative-schools-work/

https://www.cdc.gov/sexual-violence/programs/index.html

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8494265/

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/08862605241245372

https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9819047/

https://neu.org.uk/latest/library/working-boys-and-young-men-prevent-sexism-and-sexual-harassment

Join us in person for intention holding:  

https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/events-1 Labyrinth Activist Network Zoom calls  

https://insighttimer.com/cliverj Daily intention holding with Clive on Insight Timer.  

Our websites:   

www.heartfulimpact.com/   Our show website.  

https://globalhealingresponse.com/ Global Healing Response ~ Offers a wealth of prayers, suggested practices and prompts in response to environmental catastrophe, conflict, and other world events.  

https://www.legacylabyrinthproject.org/ Legacy Labyrinth Project ~ Creating global energetic connections through the labyrinth; inspiring active intention sending using the labyrinth via labyrinth activism.  

https://www.clivejohnsonministry.com/ Clive Johnson Ministry ~ Events and offerings aimed at building beloved community, including weekly energy holding vigils and Power of Eight group.  

https://insighttimer.com/cliverj ~ Daily intention holding.  

Impact! Is presented by Ellen Bintz and Clive Johnson. It is produced by Impact Productions.  

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Impact! www.heartfulimpact.com.