By Pratibha Salwan There are many malignant manifestations of inequality that exist within our society that permeate through our interpersonal relationships and manifest in different forms of abuse – seen or unseen. Domestic abuse is the scourge of our society where survivors find themselves vulnerable and voiceless. There is however another form of abuse that […]
Nine yards of Art: Repurposing saris to art
Wrapping up March – Women’s History Month, with a little pondering on the Saree/ Sari (n.; pronounced as saa-ree). For most South Asians, who grew up in India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Nepal or Srilanka (Ceylon), the saree or different versions of it are symbols of femininity, beauty and elegance and tradition. To some, however, a saree […]
Raksha Statement on the Shootings in Atlanta and Racialized Misogyny Targeted at AAPI Communities
Raksha sends love, light and healing to our community as we grieve the lives attacked and lost as a result of hate and gender based crimes nationally and locally targeted toward AAPI Communities.
In our home state of Georgia, Raksha stands in solidarity with the victims, witnesses, families and community impacted by the shootings at Asian-owned businesses on March 16, 2021 which resulted in the deaths of 8 people of which 6 were Asian American women.
We are deeply anguished by the intersectionality of gender-based violence, racism and prejudice that manifests itself through this crime. Our experience working with gender based violence for over 25 years tells us that perpetrators often use many excuses to justify their targeted violence. Structural racism and racialized misogyny breed a sense of privilege that justifies these acts of violence towards marginalized groups, minorities and women.
Honoring the pain, loss and grief inflicted by these shameful tragedies, we resolve to continue working in solidarity with our beloved community members and organizations with support and services to ensure healing, empowerment and justice for the victims impacted and communities we are a part of.
We are grateful for our community allies that are checking in, standing up and showing up for AAPI communities.
Raksha, Inc.
Event Summary & Resources: Raksha Conversation on South Asian & Black Allyship (February 26, 2021)
Talking about Teen Dating Violence: Event Summary & Resources
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month. Did you know that the state of Georgia ranks third highest in the nation for the percentage of teens experiencing physical violence in a dating relationship? Shockingly, 50% of fatalities resulting from intimate partner violence in Georgia happened in relationships that began when the victim was between 13-24. […]
Heart Truth: Heart Health and Survivors of Domestic Violence and Abuse
February 5, 2021 February, more popularly known as the month of love is also the American Heart Month. Today on the International Wear Red Day , here’s looking at heart health in the context of survivors of abuse and violence. It would be easy to guess that increased stress levels from experiences of and reactions […]
Human Trafficking Awareness & Resources
If the term human trafficking brings up the image of the infamous white van or scenes from the movie Taken (2008), it is time to broaden our understanding of this billion dollar industry and its workings. Human trafficking takes so many forms and connotations beyond the more visible. Which is why it continues to thrive despite […]
Stalking Awareness: Resources & Ways to help
The Covid-19 world exposes individuals and families experiencing domestic violence and abuse or those at risk to more danger – even if they are not in physical proximity to their abuser. Incidents of technology abuse, online harassment, cyberstalking have spiked since early 2020; evident from the increase in sales of spy and stalker ware, […]
MLK 2021: Universality & Mutuality
Check our MLK Day posts on Facebook & Instagram This year, on Martin Luther King Day, it is even more important to vocalize and honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr’s life and work. Dr King was one of the leading civil rights leaders, whose words and philosophy still ring true, five decades after his death. […]
About “Unbelievable”. And Stand with Survivors Days 2021.
Help eliminate “Unbelievable”- like experiences for survivors of sexual assault and crimes! Unbelievable (Netflix series, 2019), is an unfortunately and sickening reflection of how a combination of societal and individual bias, prejudice and insensitivity affects the system and community that is meant to protect survivors. The series reminds us to put survivors first and shows […]