Weekly Address:Taking Action to End Sexual Assault

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Source: White House

In his weekly address, President Obama said that the Administration has taken another important step to protect women at college by establishing the White House Task Force on Protecting Students from Sexual Assault. An estimated 1 in 5 women is sexually assaulted at college, and the President said that we will keep taking actions like strengthening the criminal justice system, reaching out to survivors, and changing social norms so that all Americans can feel safe and protected as they pursue their own piece of the American dream.



Read more: http://www.whitehouse.gov/blog/2014/01/25/weekly-address-taking-action-end-sexual-assault

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Hi, everybody. This week, I called members of my Cabinet to the White House to deal with a challenge that affects so many families and communities – the crime, the outrage, of sexual violence.

Sexual assault is an affront to our basic decency and humanity. And it’s about all of us – the safety of those we love most: our moms, our wives, our daughters and our sons.

Because when a child starts to question their self-worth after being abused, and maybe starts withdrawing… or a young woman drops out of school after being attacked… or a mother struggles to hold down a job and support her kids after an assault… it’s not just these individuals and their families who suffer. Our communities – our whole country – is held back.

Over the past five years, we’ve stepped up our efforts stop these crimes. And this week, we took another important step to protect young women at college. An estimated 1 in 5 women is sexually assaulted at college – and that’s totally unacceptable. So I’ve created the White House Task Force to Protect Students from Sexual Assault. We’re going to help schools do a better job of preventing and responding to sexual assault on their campuses. Because college should be a place where our young people feel secure and confident, so they can go as far as their talents will take them.

Transcript
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/01/24/weekly-address-taking-action-end-sexual-assault

[Stuart G]

1. k and r, no text..

[cinnabonbon]

2. That's very encouraging

kick and rec!

[BlancheSplanchnik]

3. kick and rec!

I'd say this is a pretty important issue.

I like seeing that he understands that changing social norms is part of the whole equation.

Because when a child starts to question their self-worth after being abused, and maybe starts withdrawing… or a young woman drops out of school after being attacked… or a mother struggles to hold down a job and support her kids after an assault… it’s not just these individuals and their families who suffer. Our communities – our whole country – is held back.

PBO expresses the understanding that violence against women damages half of the human race. All of it, really, not just the victims.

[freshwest]

5. Yes, and Obama reslizes that. Too bad the GOP is clueless and never talks about this. n/t

[BlancheSplanchnik]

6. it's hard to believe what a lack of social understanding repukes have.

they're so closed in with only their limbic brain for company…. I guess that's why they're able to put up with the echo chamber; they're comfortable in a closed loop.

I often try to understand what it feels like….having that world-view, because it's hard to fathom. Really hard; I just don't get being that way….what thoughts go through their mind, how do they manage interpersonal relations?

You know, I had to add this thought---
I wonder if the reason there is no "ugly scandalous stuff" in PBO's closet is because he actually sees women as people? Respect-worthy people.

hmmmmm. Just thinking out loud…..

[Ash_F]

4. 95.2% of rapes on campus will never be reported

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/advice/tips/why-most-victims-dont-report-rape

Glad he is saying this.