I've blogged about Darfur wartime rape before, but this blog entry entitled "Silence is the enemy" by Prof. Tara Smith should to be linked to, reposted, discussed and passed on.

"I always think someone is following me and wants to rape me. It is better to die." --Darfuri refugee

Sometimes there comes a public health issue that's so big, so overwhelming, so heinous, that you just don't know where to begin discussing it. Nevertheless, the conversation should, and must, happen just the same. Silence may be easier, but speaking out is the only way to demystify the taboos and bring attention to what's going on for those who can't bring attention to it themselves. And maybe, just maybe, bring about some change.

It's no secret that rape happens during wartime. Certainly documents being discussed regarding our own soldiers' treatment of prisoners show that wartime rape--of either "the enemy" or even female colleagues--is not limited to rogue armies in far-off countries some Americans probably couldn't even find on a map. That doesn't make it any less inexcusable, or the crimes any less horrendous, just because we've done it, too.

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Check her blog to read the whole article and so proceeds go to Docs w/o Borders

"Silence is the enemy. Speak out. Pass it on."