Rape is rampant in Haiti. A epidemic of sexual violence is occurring daily and the return of ex-president Jean-Claude (Baby Doc) Duvalier means nothing. The beleaguered nation of Haiti in bearing a terrible and under publicized tragedy. It is a sad tale of ever increasing incidents of rape against Haitian women and girls. It seems to be no immediate end to the terror and no international intervention in sight.

What is wrong with the ethics and morals of men in that country. In this century have we reverted to the daily practice of most cave men? Surely, the male population have been taught something somewhere at sometime about moral decency! Apparently NOT. Overcrowding, inadequate lighting and lack of security in displacement camps are all factors contribution to the problem. Can this problem only be related to money?

Yes, some believe that money is the problem. The “government” there believes that the release of pledged relief funding is the only thing necessary to solve the problem. Why should the horrific treatment of the countries women ever be a bargaining tool? They believe that Haiti can then have the resources to cope with the crisis, and have a call for greater accountability from the NGOs (nongovernmental organizations) receiving relief funds.

“Unfortunately, the only difference between six months ago and today is that sexual violence in displacement camps is only now being recognized as an issue, but still not much is being done.” said Lisa Davis of MADRE, a human rights organization, which released the report in conjunction with the Institute for Justice & Democracy in Haiti (IJDH), the Bureau des Avocats Internationaux (BAI) and the International Womens’ Human Rights Clinic of the CU-NY School of Law.

“Haitian grass-roots groups and their partners have been working tirelessly and at great personal risk to protect and empower women and girls.” Explained Annie Gell, BAI’s rape accountability and prevention project coordinator. “However, the international community has largely failed to do its part despite its vast resources.” Put the offices and salaried employees of all these organizations in the displacement camps working the night shift when these rapes occur and castrate the bums who think this is the way they should be treating their countries women and girls.