Thursdays in Black
Thursdays in Black is part of an international movement to demand a world without rape and violence. It has originated from ‘Women in Black’ groups, which have formed over the past twenty years in Argentina, Bosnia and Israel. These groups include Argentinean mothers who gather every Thursday in silence to protest the loss of loved ones under the military dictatorship, womyn who expressed outrage at the rape-death camps in war torn Bosnia, and womyn who opposed the Israeli occupation of West Bank and the abuse of the Palestinians.
The voices of ‘Women in Black’ groups, alongside other peace and women’s groups have become part of a worldwide movement which enables the despair and pain about rape and other forms of violence to be transformed into political action. Groups have formed in many other countries, from South Africa, where Black Sash groups have protested against racial injustice for many years, to Korea where former Comfort Womyn protest the sexual slavery crimes of Japanese soldiers during World War 2, to Australia where the Thursdays in Black Campaign focuses on issues such as domestic violence and rape.
It is important to note that rape and violence are not confined to countries officially at war in fact, a war against womyn is being waged all over the world, and has continued for centuries. Its weapons include domestic violence, sexual assault, rape, incest, murder, female infanticide, genital mutilation, sexual harassment, discrimination, prostitution and pornography. In short, sexism.
Some Statistics which serve to remind us of the serious nature of this war of terrorism against womyn are:
In Russia last year, 145,000 womyn were killed by their husbands or intamate partners, and there were 14,000 reported rapes.
In the US today, it is estimated that 30-60% of all womyn have experienced sexual violence.
In India, five womyn PER DAY are burned in dowry related disputes.
Of 19 million refugees worldwide, 80% are womyn and children.
In China (and several other countries) grrl babies are not seen as being as valuable and are often killed or abandoned because families are not allowed, or cannot afford to have more than one child. Grrls are seen as a financial burden on the family.
In Peru, 79% of all crimes reported to the police involve assault on womyn by their husbands or intamate partners.
In Australia, one in every four womyn experiences domestic violence.
The true incidence of Bolimia in Australia is estimated as being as high as 1 in 5.
In Australia, approximately 1 in 10 womyn will be raped in her lifetime, 80% of rape victims know the offender and only 1 in 10 reports the assault to the police.
| In Russia last year, 145,000 womyn were killed by their husbands or intamate partners, and there were 14,000 reported rapes. | In the US today, it is estimated that 30-60% of all womyn have experienced sexual violence. | In India, five womyn PER DAY are burned in dowry related disputes. |
| Of 19 million refugees worldwide, 80% are womyn and children. | In China (and several other countries) grrl babies are not seen as being as valuable and are often killed or abandoned because families are not allowed, or cannot afford to have more than one child. Grrls are seen as a financial burden on the family. | In Peru, 79% of all crimes reported to the police involve assault on womyn by their husbands or intamate partners. |
| In Australia, one in every four womyn experiences domestic violence. | The true incidence of Bolimia in Australia is estimated as being as high as 1 in 5. | In Australia, approximately 1 in 10 womyn will be raped in her lifetime, 80% of rape victims know the offender and only 1 in 10 reports the assault to the police. |
The Thursdays in Black campaign has been taken up by the World Council of Churches, who have invited people around the world to wear black on Thursdays to protest against rape and violence in the by-products of all war and conflict.
To get involved in the campaign come along to your Womyn's Collective meeting or contact your campus Womyn's Officers. Or Call Cath, National Womyn's Officer for the National Union of Students on 0403 065 115 or email: womens@nus.asn.au
...And dont forget to wear Black on Thursday!
Important Contacts and Crisis Help Centres
QLDBrisbane Rape and Incest Survivors Support Center: (07) 3391 0004 or Country Callers: 1800 242526 Statewide Sexual Assault Helpline: (9am-1am) 1800 010 120 Zig Zag Young Women's Support Service: (07)3843 1823 Women's Legal Service: (07) 3392 0670 or 1800 677 278 |
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Domestic Violence Crisis Service: (03)6233 2529 or 1800 633 937 |
Domestic Violence Line: 1800 656 463 or TTY: 1800 671442 |
VIC
Immigrant Women's Domestic Violence Service: 9898 3145
Women's Information and Referral Exchange (WIRE): 1300 134 130
Gay and Lesbian Switchboard: (03) 9827 8544, 1800 631 493 (country)
Action Center: (03) 9654 4766 or FREE CALL: 1800 013 952
Centre Against Sexual Assault crisis line: 03 9344 2210, counselling line: 9349 1766, Freephone (rural areas):1800 806 292, TTY (03) 9349 2466 (24hrs) Email: casa@cryptic.unimelb.edu.au Web: http://www.casahouse.casa.org.au/
Domestic Violence & Incest Resource Centre: (03) 9486 9866 TTY: (03) 9417 1255