Transgender teens with restricted bathroom access at higher risk of sexual assault

Transgender and gender-nonbinary teens face greater risk of sexual assault in schools that prevent them from using bathrooms or locker rooms consistent with their gender identity, according to a recent study.

Researchers looked at data from a survey of nearly 3,700 U.S. teens aged 13-17. The study found that 36% of transgender or gender-nonbinary students with restricted bathroom or locker room access reported being sexually assaulted in the last 12 months, according to a May 6, 2019 CNN article. Of all students surveyed, 1 out of every 4, or 25.9%, reported being a victim of sexual assault in the past year.

“Unfortunately, kids’ access to restrooms and locker rooms has become very politicized in some communities,” said Gabriel Murchison, PhD candidate in population health sciences at Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health and lead author of the study. Murchison noted that although the study only shows an association, not whether the restrictions themselves caused the sexual assaults, “they are certainly a strong indicator of environments where kids are at risk.”

In an NBC News article, Murchison suggested that the issue can be addressed with “better supervision of lockers rooms, more privacy options (like curtained changing areas), and an effective and consistent school response to harassment.”

IOM and Humanitarian Actors Respond to Needs in Tripoli

IOM, the UN Migration Agency, has responded to the urgent humanitarian needs of hundreds of displaced Libyans and migrants affected by violence, following armed clashes in the Libyan capital.

IOM provides emergency assistance to displaced Libyan families. Photo: IOM Libya, 2018

Early Monday morning (27/08) heavy clashes erupted between armed groups in Tripoli, causing THE displacement of civilians AND migrants in the affected area. Despite the security constraints, on 28 August IOM, Libyan and Malian authorities were able to ensure the safe transport of 118 men, 22 women, 16 children, two infants and eight medical cases to Mitiga airport for their further safe return home to Mali.
Prior to departure the migrants received non-food items and health and protection assistance as part of IOM’s Voluntary Humanitarian Return Assistance. Unfortunately, an additional 30 migrants scheduled to depart were unable to reach the airport due to security constraints. IOM is following up to ensure their return as soon as possible.

“We are coordinating closely with the Libyan authorities and our humanitarian counterparts to ensure assistance reaches all those in need,” said Othman Belbeisi, IOM Libya Chief of Mission. “Our priority is the safety and well-being of civilians affected by the violence.”

The current security situation forced families to flee for safety. As part of its humanitarian response IOM provided mattresses, blankets and hygiene kits to displaced Libyan families who were able to seek shelter in a school in Tripoli. The humanitarian situation and needs of these families are being assessed by IOM.

At the same time, migrants at the Ain Zara and Salaheddin detention centres in the affected area were evacuated by the Directorate for Combatting Illegal Migration (DCIM) to safer centres with the support of humanitarian actors.

As part of a joint humanitarian response coordinated between the UN agencies and international organizations, UNHCR distributed core-relief items including 500 blankets in Abu Slim detention centre, while IOM provided mattresses, food and beverages to more than 400 migrants, including 322 evacuated from other unsafe locations. MSF teams are conducting medical consultations, as well as providing food, water and nutritional supplements to people still in detention centres.

On 30 August, in close coordination with the Danish Refugee Council (DRC) and the Somali Embassy, IOM provided direct humanitarian assistance in the form of medical consultations, food, water and non-food items to around 90 Somali migrants affected by the violence. Migrants who expressed a desire to go back home will be provided with Voluntary Humanitarian Return Assistance to guarantee their safe return. IOM is closely coordinating with UNHCR to find solutions for the Somalis who do not wish to return home.

IOM continues to monitor the situation closely and respond to the humanitarian situation of the affected populations in Tripoli, while coordinating with the Libyan authorities, UN agencies and international organizations to ensure existing needs are addressed.

IOM staff remains on the ground, continuing regular operations.

Sierra Leone: SLPP supporters allegedly burning down houses of APC supporters

By Agnes Koroma

Just after the declaration of Rtd. Brig. Julius Maada Bio president of the Republic of Sierra Leone on April 4th, 2018, supporters of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party are allegedly attacking and burning down houses of people supporting the All Peoples Party.

During his swearing-in ceremony on Wednesday 4th April 2018, the president told Sierra Leoneans that “From today, I am a president of, and for all Sierra Leoneans. we have only one country”.

 

Photos of violence in Kenema Photo credit: John Koroma

Photos of violence in Kenema. Photo credit: John Koroma

Photos of violence in Kenema. Photo credit: John Koroma

He said Sierra Leone wants national unity and cohesion, and a disciplined leadership.

He also called on all the political parties to join him to develop the country and also thanked the international community and regional stakeholders in ensuring transparent and fair elections.

But reports from the Kenema, East of Sierra Leone, is causing panic in the country with most people fearing some SLPP members are hounding northerners and supporters of the APC.

In Freetown, supporters of the SLPP are also alleged to have vandalized the stalls of traders, mostly northerners, and supporters of the APC.

Sources say the police is presently engaging the rioters to put the situation under control.

A press release from the Office of the President warning the perpetrators to stop all forms of intimidation.

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OFFICE OF THE PRESIDENT

PRESS RELEASE

IT HAS COME TO THE ATTENTION OF HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT THAT THERE HAVE BEEN INCIDENTS OF INTIMIDATION AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT FOLLOWING THE SWEARING-IN OF HIS EXCELLENCY RTD. BRIGADIER JULIUS MAADA BIO AS PRESIDENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE.

ADDITIONALLY, IT HAS ALSO BEEN ALLEGED THAT CIVIL SERVANTS AND OTHER OFFICIALS AND AGENTS OF GOVERNMENT ARE FACING CHALLENGES IN REPORTING FOR OFFICIAL DUTY. CIVIL SERVANTS AND OTHER OFFICIALS AND AGENTS OF GOVERNMENT ARE EXPECTED TO BE IMPARTIAL AND TO SERVE THE GOVERNMENT OF THE DAY.

HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT IS APPEALING TO ALL THOSE ENGAGED IN INTIMIDATION AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT TO DESIST FORTHWITH. ELECTIONS ARE OVER AND WE MUST NOW FOCUS ON UNITING OUR COUNTRY TO ENSURE A PEACEFUL AND SMOOTH TRANSITION.

PLEASE BE WARNED THAT ANY ACT OF INTIMIDATION AND DISORDERLY CONDUCT WILL BE MET WITH THE FULL FORCE OF THE LAW.

END

STATE HOUSE

FREETOWN