Haitian woman faces death threats for speaking out about violence against women

Haitian woman faces death threats for speaking out about violence against women
Haitian woman faces death threats for speaking out about violence against women

Haitian woman faces death threats for speaking out about violence against women

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Gender-based violence has long been a problem in Haiti, but it has intensified since the 2010 earthquake. Rapists have been able to act with impunity. Even the police have been implicated as perpetrators, says Malya Villard Appolon. She’s the co-founder of KOFAVIV, the Commission of Women Victims for Victims. The organization is founded, operated and staffed by women, who themselves are survivors of gender-based violence. The group provides support to new victims and advocates for accountability and violence prevention. We spoke with Villard-Appolon while she was on a U.S. tour, in partnership with the Goldin Institute, to spread awareness about the issue, but she has not been able to return to Haiti because of death threats and threats to her family. (photo: Caption: Malya Villard-Appolon was awarded the 2012 CNN Hero Award (Copyright CNN))