When I think of all the things that worry me about my our little island, too many issues come into mind. I always think about:
These issues are always on my mind. Now that I work in a store (can't say the name), I encounter them more frequently. The other day a pregnant woman walked into a mall with a black eye, two kids, and a shouting husband. Did anybody do anything? Nope! We just stared. I told my boyfriend we had to do something and then I realized "oh right we can't do anything because then we might get murdered just for saying something". Sadly enough that's our daily reality. We can't intervene or help anyone because we might get killed for helping. Our only source are the cops, and chances are they won't do anything either. Every day more women become victims of domestic violence. In these cases women are not the only victims, their children are also victims. Kids who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to become abusive parents, abusive husbands or victims of abusive relationships. All they've known is violence so either they copy it or stick to it (it becomes normal). Just so you have an idea of how bad is the domestic violence situation in Puerto Rico, look at the STATISTICS. Sexual assault is also a very common event on our island. In 2003, 203 forcible rapes were committed in PR. In the US there are about 207, 754 victims of sexual assault each year. The thing is not all rapes are reported. In US a 54% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. Hundreds of females remain silent because their scared of their predator. In many cases, the predators are family members or friends. On the other hand, child abuse is increasing every year. Where I work I encounter ALMOST EVERY DAY mothers spanking their children excessively and in very violent ways. I've talked to personal about the issue and about doing something but all they say is the store doesn't become responsible for people’s personal issues. If we keep turning our heads on issues like this, chances are there going to increase more every year. More children are going to die, more women are going to get beaten, and more rapes are going to be reported. If you know or see something open your mouth at least to call the police, don't stay quiet.
These issues are troubling worldwide, here are some links on global statisctics and facts:
- Domestic violence: statistics say every day 52 women are victim of domestic violence. In 2004 31 women were murdered as a result of domestic violence.
- Sexual assault: between the years 2005-2006 443 cases of rape and sexual assault were reported. Statistics say every 2 minutes, someone in the U.S is sexually assaulted.
- Child abuse: In Puerto Rico an average of 200 cases of child abuse are MONTHLY reported. In some cases children end up dead.
These issues are always on my mind. Now that I work in a store (can't say the name), I encounter them more frequently. The other day a pregnant woman walked into a mall with a black eye, two kids, and a shouting husband. Did anybody do anything? Nope! We just stared. I told my boyfriend we had to do something and then I realized "oh right we can't do anything because then we might get murdered just for saying something". Sadly enough that's our daily reality. We can't intervene or help anyone because we might get killed for helping. Our only source are the cops, and chances are they won't do anything either. Every day more women become victims of domestic violence. In these cases women are not the only victims, their children are also victims. Kids who grow up in abusive homes are more likely to become abusive parents, abusive husbands or victims of abusive relationships. All they've known is violence so either they copy it or stick to it (it becomes normal). Just so you have an idea of how bad is the domestic violence situation in Puerto Rico, look at the STATISTICS. Sexual assault is also a very common event on our island. In 2003, 203 forcible rapes were committed in PR. In the US there are about 207, 754 victims of sexual assault each year. The thing is not all rapes are reported. In US a 54% of sexual assaults are not reported to the police. Hundreds of females remain silent because their scared of their predator. In many cases, the predators are family members or friends. On the other hand, child abuse is increasing every year. Where I work I encounter ALMOST EVERY DAY mothers spanking their children excessively and in very violent ways. I've talked to personal about the issue and about doing something but all they say is the store doesn't become responsible for people’s personal issues. If we keep turning our heads on issues like this, chances are there going to increase more every year. More children are going to die, more women are going to get beaten, and more rapes are going to be reported. If you know or see something open your mouth at least to call the police, don't stay quiet.
These issues are troubling worldwide, here are some links on global statisctics and facts:
- http://www.statemaster.com/graph/cri_for_rap-crime-forcible-rape
- http://www.arkofhopeforchildren.org/issues/child-abuse-statistics-info#.UYPrcrVyHX4
- http://www.causes.com/actions/52809-rape-statistics-worldwide
- http://www.indiatribune.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=10195:rape-statistics-around-the-world-&catid=107:coverpage&Itemid=471
- http://www.un.org/en/globalissues/briefingpapers/endviol/index.shtml
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