News From the Field | National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC)

California: Lawsuit planned after alleged rape victim's suicide

By Jason Hanna and Ashley Fantz

(CNN) -- The family of Audrie Pott, a California teenager who allegedly was raped and then committed suicide in September, intends to file a wrongful death lawsuit, the family's lawyer told reporters Monday.

Three boys were arrested last week in connection with the case, accused of assaulting the 15-year-old girl, taking photos of the attack, posting the pictures online and sharing them at school.

The boys are all 16, according to authorities.

G8 nations pledge action to halt sexual violence in war

By Laura Smith-Spark

London (CNN) -- "Rape is not a women's issue or a humanitarian issue -- it's a global issue."

So said Hollywood star and U.N. special envoy for refugees Angelina Jolie, standing with foreign ministers from the G8 nations in London as they pledged action Thursday to end sexual violence in conflict.

Save the Children highlights war-zone child sex crimes

The charity Save the Children says the majority of victims of rape and other sexual violence in many of the world's conflict zones are children.

Its report is based on data and testimonies from several countries including Colombia, Liberia and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Save the Children says programmes to stop such violence and help children recover are chronically underfunded.

The issue will be discussed by foreign ministers of the G8 group this week.

Papua New Guinea: Appalling violence against six women in Easter ‘witch-hunt’

NOTE: This article contains graphic content that may be triggering for some readers.

Authorities in Papua New Guinea must take urgent action to prevent and punish ‘sorcery’-related violence, following reports six women and a man were abducted and subjected to acts of appalling cruelty by a group who accused them of witchcraft.

Komape Lap from the Southern Highlands claims he and six women had their hands tied, were stripped naked and had hot iron rods pushed into their genitals. Komape Lap escaped but the fate of the six women is unknown.

Rehtaeh Parsons Suicide: Canadian Justice Minister Revisiting Alleged Rape Case

By Kevin Dolak

A Canadian minister of justice is seeking answers in the investigation into the alleged rape by four teenagers of Nova Scotian teen Rehtaeh Parsons, who hanged herself last week after what her mother says was months of bullying.

Canadian teen commits suicide after alleged rape, bullying

By Paula Newton

Ottawa, Canada (CNN) -- The family of a teenager who committed suicide after she was allegedly gang-raped and bullied is urging Canadian officials to reconsider filing criminal charges.

Rehtaeh Parsons, a 17-year-old high school student from Halifax, Nova Scotia, was taken off life support on Sunday, three days after she tried to hang herself. Her family told CNN they met with Canadian justice officials on Wednesday and the officials assured them they would take a fresh look at filing charges.

Tourist raped on minibus in Rio, police say

By Shasta Darlington

DOD Releases Update to Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Policy

By Nick Simeone

WASHINGTON, March 29, 2013 – The Department of Defense yesterday released updated policies and procedures aimed at combating sexual assaults in the military and improving care for victims.

Senior defense officials said the updated policies and procedures provide a framework that improves safety for sexual assault victims, standardizes victim-assistance services across the force, enhances prevention efforts and provides victims added confidence to come forward to report assaults and seek treatment.

Teenage rape victim sentenced to 100 lashes in Maldives

By Sarah Morrison

With its crystal clear waters, white sandy beaches and iridescent sunsets, the Maldives is a sought-after destination for loved-up honeymooners.

But its Edenic reputation is under threat after a teenage rape victim was sentenced to 100 lashes for engaging in premarital sex. Now justice campaigners are planning to target the country's lucrative tourism industry unless it improves womens' rights.

Abuse Charge at Exclusive Boarding School Stirs Inquiry

By Jess Bidgood

BOSTON — Prosecutors plan to investigate possible sexual abuse at Deerfield Academy, an exclusive private boarding school in western Massachusetts, after a report released by the school detailing its own investigation into allegations against two faculty members who taught there for decades.