The Hindu : Tamil Nadu News : A pamphlet to prevent violence at home

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Tuesday, Nov 27, 2007
ePaper

Tamil Nadu

Tamil Nadu

A pamphlet to prevent violence at home

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: Beginning Monday, if you have applied for an immigrant or work visa to the United States and it is cleared, you will also get a little pamphlet that will tell you where to go for help in case you face abuse and violence at home.

United States Consul-General David Hopper on Monday released the pamphlet that provides information on resources and support for victims of abuse or violence in the United States and handed over the first copy to Social Welfare Minister Poongothai Aladi Aruna.

The pamphlet, bearing contact numbers of the National Domestic Violence Hotline, the National Sexual Assault Hotline and the National Women’s Health Information Centre, provides women immigrants, workers and dependent visa holders more options than just the emergency helpline 911.

Mr. Hopper said the pamphlets were being released to mark November 25, designated by the United Nations as the International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women.

Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice had asked American overseas missions to mark the day with concrete programmes to draw attention to this problem and combat violence effectively.

There were many forms of violence against women: forced prostitution, rape, murder, prenatal sex selection and female infanticide. Women and girls were particularly vulnerable to violence and abuse in conflict situations, and studies showed women were most at risk of being abused at home, and by men they knew, Mr. Hopper said.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Tamil Nadu