Angelina Jolie is now backing the UK fight against rape that happens in conflict and war zones.
She’s actually joining a team of experts who will gather evidence about sexual violence in war zones — something that is a horrible side effect of conflict.
She’ll be screening her movie, In The Land of Blood and Honey for the British Foreign Office as she gives her support to the new government initiative.
At first, even her film was blasted with controversy when false reports came that it was about a character falling in with her attacker, who sexually assaults her. Since then, however, people have seen the movie and have praised it for how it handles the situation.
The UK team is composed of lawyers, human rights campaigners, psychologists, forensic experts and doctors, who will all help find and collect evidence about sexual violence in war zones in support of UN teams and local charities.
Here’s what the foreign secretary had to say:
“Sexual violence is a problem found in every society in the world, and all countries have to do more to tackle it at home. We have to ensure equal rights for women at every level of society, and to protect the vulnerable, most of all our children.
“But it is in the context of war and conflict that sexual violence is found to the most appalling degree, and on a scale most of us cannot imagine. Sexual violence is an issue which is central to conflict prevention and to peace-building worldwide. Where there is no justice, the seeds of future conflict are sewn, and development is held back.”
Do you want a shocking number?
It’s estimated that only 30 convictions have been made from an estimated 50,000 rapes committed during the 1990s Balkans conflict.
That’s only ONE CONFLICT.
We don’t even want to imagine the number beyond that. It’s shocking and horrifying and we can’t believe it actually happens.
But we’re glad that there are those out there taking a stand and working for this investigation — including Angelina!
[Image via Ramey Pix.]
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