Arisha Hatch, the interim executive director of the women’s advocacy group UltraViolet, condemned the verdict as “a stain on a criminal justice system that for decades has failed to hold accountable abusers” and called it “an indictment of a culture in which not believing women and victims of sexual assault remains endemic.”
“This is a decisive moment for our justice system, one which threatens to undo the sacrifice of courageous survivors who stepped forward to share their stories in this trial, as well as to all those abused by Diddy who weren’t able to,” said Arisha Hatch, Ultraviolet's interim executive director
Rick Ross is trying to set the record straight after coming under fire over lyrics in the song “U.O.E.N.O” that appear to condone date rape… “We are appalled that Reebok would pay a spokesperson who brags about enjoying drugging and raping a woman,” said Nita Chaudhary, cofounder of the women’s rights group UltraViolet, in a statement. “Reebok devotes a lot of time, energy and money to marketing to women—and now they are paying a man who is literally bragging about raping us while absurdly insisting it can’t possibly be rape if he doesn’t use the word ‘rape.'”
STEUBENVILLE – A national organization is sponsoring a mobile billboard that is traveling throughout the city this week, calling for justice in the alleged rape of a 16-year-old Weirton female. “Justice needs to be served. A rape was (allegedly) committed and people need to be held accountable. Women across the country see themselves in this story and we are tired of this. We want justice,” Karin Roland, UltraViolet campaign director, said in a telephone interview Wednesday.
Photo: The Herald-Star
STEUBENVILLE, Ohio — A mobile billboard posted on a truck is traveling around the Steubenville area with a message to Ohio’s attorney general about a teen rape investigation. The billboard is directed toward Attorney General Mike DeWine and reads: “Prosecute everyone who’s involved in the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville, including those who posted photos an
“The proposed deep Social Security benefit cuts under consideration by the President and Congress, through the chained CPI, will inflict real pain on some of our most vulnerable communities–especially women.”
Ultraviolet, a women’s rights group that fights sexism in politics and the media, circulated a gun control petition on Monday that makes no mention of women or gender. “It’s outrageous that a person can purchase an assault rifle more easily than they can access mental health care,” the petition says. “It’s time for a comprehensive plan that addresses guns and the causes of gun violence, including mental health. We cannot wait one second longer.” Nita Chaudhary, co-founder of UltraViolet, said she believes women are going to be the leading political force in the fight over access to guns, even if the issue is not explicitly gendered.
Photo: Getty Images
These are just some of suggestions that are personal favorites, items which have changed who I am as a person and helped me develop my beliefs. Still don’t see the perfect gift? There are many other great feminist gift guides, including Ultraviolet’s Holiday Gift Guide: A Non-sexist Guide to 21st Century Holiday Shopping, Jezebel’s Gifts for Budding Feminists, and Bitch Magazine’s Bitch in a Box: Holiday Gift Guide.
UltraViolet, an organization that combats sexism at all levels of politics and media, has released a shopping guide just in time for the holidays. The UltraViolet Holiday Gift Guide: a 21st Century Guide to Non-Sexist Holiday Shopping provides 21 gift ideas for the wee little feminists in your life. It features presents like the “Girls are Not Chicks” coloring book, Nancy Drew Computer Games, and other gifts that encourage kids to critically think about gender.
McKenna Pope, a 13-year-old from Garfield, New Jersey, wondered why she saw men cooking all the time on television but the Easy-Bake Oven was being marketed as though it was just for girls. She started a petition on Change.org and has gained widespread support, including the endorsement of male chefs. So it was great to find this list of toys and other gifts that are marketed free from gender stereotypes from UltraViolet, including great movies like Whale Rider. Bravo!
Photo: BeliefNet/Nell Minnow
With time running short, progressive groups are also ramping up pressure on House Republican leaders to get moving on the Senate bill. MoveOn.org and UltraViolet, a pro-women’s rights group, released a new TV ad on Tuesday that highlights the need for an inclusive VAWA.
“Three women die every day from domestic violence. That’s why the Violence Against Women Act was passed, decreasing domestic violence by 67 percent,” a narrator says, as images flash of a woman with bruises on her face. The bruises start disappearing as the narrator talks, but then start reappearing as the narrator continues.
Photo: AP
Two progressive outside spending groups are pushing the House GOP to pass an extended version of the Violence Against Women Act that’s currently stalled in Congress with a new, graphic television ad calling for viewers to demand action. The ad, funded by MoveOn.org Political Action and Ultraviolet, a pro-women’s-rights online community, shows a woman’s face, seemingly after she has been beaten, slowly healing and then reverting back to her wounded state. A narration asserts that “three women die every day as a result of domestic violence.”