As for GCNova, we have taken a bit of a break since the spring semester’s successful Take Back the Night event. The final weeks of the semester were dominated by final exams and move-out. Two among us walked at the commencement ceremonies: congratulations to our 2010 graduates, GCNova Vice President Maren Miller and GCNova Villanova Outreach Chair Sarah Czar!

Summer 2010 will bring changes and plans for the future of GCNova, including a fall transition in leadership as we begin to look ahead to the coming years. Stay tuned!

Still feeling the inspiration that Betty left us with last week, GCNova took further steps last night to break through the barrier of silence on college campuses.

On Monday, April 12, 2010, GCNova led our very first Take Back the Night event. Arranged by GCNova Vice President Maren Miller, the candlelit walk and vigil began on South Campus, where a group of about 30 students gathered to honor and remember victims and survivors of sexual abuse. With candles in hand, we walked from South Campus, through Memorial Park, and up the path towards St. Thomas of Villanova Church. When we arrived at the steps of the church, we were treated to a dating violence skit performed by students of this semester’s Philosophy of Women course. Finally, three GCNova members read the memoirs of three survivors of sexual assault.

After the event, one Villanova student volunteered to lead a prayer circle for all victims and survivors of abuse.

It was an incredible, touching, emotional event. For all of those who have been afraid to speak up about abuse, for those who have been courageous enough to stand up and be a voice against assault, and for women and children throughout the world who must fear walking alone after dark… Villanova took back the night.

Click thumbnails for full image.

Whatever your preconceived notions are about assault, “feminism,” or gender issues, put them aside for an hour on Wednesday, April 7, 2010 and come out to hear this amazing, beautiful woman.

It is refreshing to see such a proactive measure geared entirely at the health of women taken by our capital. Through the distribution of female condoms, women in D.C. will have a choice when a man decides a condom is unnecessary. By taking control of their sex life, women are taking control of their health.  HIV is a virus that can be easily preventable through the use of condoms, both male & female.  It’s a matter of life and death so why take the chance?  [via CNN]

Which means, it’s about time GCNova gets back in action.

The spring semester has been, and will continue to be, focused on awareness. On February 27, Villanova University held its sixth-annual Love the Skin You’re In fashion show, which promotes healthy body images and self-esteem among young adults. With the help of GCNova member Alana Cerrone, an intern with the Office of Health Promotion, the fifth segment had a cultural focus on traditional African clothing. As the models walked the runway, the emcee spoke of GCN in Zimbabwe, GCNW, and Betty Makoni, encouraging Villanova’s students to remember that the fight for self-esteem and health body image becomes even more difficult in other parts of the world, for young women and children who are also fighting against sexual, child, and domestic violence.

Early next month, GCNW founder Betty Makoni will be visiting Villanova in recognition of National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. Arrangements are being made for a screening of Tapestries of Hope, which will hopefully be available for distribution. Stay tuned for more details about April’s events as they become available!

The bodies have yet to be identified. The cause of death has yet to be determined. Yet it is clear that the ISAF believes that this is the result of  deadly terrorists, apathetic to the innocent lives of Afghan civilians. The investigation into this crime is ongoing[via CNN].

Cohen’s story is categorized by his relationship with 2 sisters he saved from trafficking in Cambodia, Jonty and Channy Thern.  Cohen met them while he was posing undercover in a Cambodian karaoke bar that doubled as a brothel, a common theme in Cambodian life.  Cohen gained the information and video he needed by soliciting for sex and then turned that information over to the police so that a raid could take place. That night Cohen saved 12 underage girls.   Jonty was just 13 years old.  She had been raped and beaten since she began working in the sex trade industry.

Since then, Cohen has seen Jonty and Channy every year.  Tragically, Cohen’s most recent visit to Cambodia was marked by Jonty’s funeral. At the tender age of 17,  Jonty died from liver failure established over years of drug and alcohol abuse from years of being trafficked.  She had been trafficked since the age of 10.  Even though Jonty had been saved from the trade 4 years earlier, the lasting effects of child trafficking continued, resulting in her untimely death [via CNN].