Koh Phangan is a small island in southeast Thailand known to tourists for its parties and beautiful beaches. The beauty of the locale also lures visitors in search of relaxation and spiritual awakening. Among the island’s most popular schools is Agama, a yoga community led by Swami Vivekananda Saraswati, whose teachings have attracted thousands of students since opening in 2003.

Only recently have allegations of sexual assault by the Swami come to light, as reported by the Guardian. (Agama and the Swami deny these allegations.) This short documentary is an in-depth look at how the school—led by one charismatic leader—is accused of fostering a culture of abuse and manipulation under the guise of healing and enlightenment. Janja Lalich PhD, a sociologist and specialist in coercive influence, also explains how leaders can assert power in isolated groups.

via Inside the Thai Spiritual Haven Run by an Alleged Sexual Abuser

Rape survivors redefining themselves through dance
Kemi and Mojo are two women who want to take back control of their bodies after their sexuality was stolen from them.
They’ve joined one of the “UK’s first plus-size dance classes” to build their confidence and learn to love themselves as they are.
Both women have waived their right to anonymity to talk about their experiences of being raped in the hope of encouraging others to speak out.

via Taking back control after sexual abuse – BBC News

From “consent condoms” in Argentina to anti-date rape wristbands in Germany, products designed to tackle sexual assault have been making headlines around the world.
They are part of a growing industry of self-defence inventions aimed predominantly at women.
Other products include shorts fitted with an alarm; a bracelet that releases a “foul smell” to fend off sexual predators; and several sexual consent apps.
With statistics showing that about one in five women in England and Wales have experienced sexual assault since the age of 16, and similar figures reported elsewhere, the makers of such products argue that they have a vital role to play.
But while they may be “well intentioned”, such products miss the mark, some women’s rights advocates say.

via ‘Consent condoms’ and ‘anti-rape wristbands’: Do they work? – BBC News

Upskirting is now a criminal offence in England and Wales after a campaign by a woman targeted at a music festival.
Offenders will face up to two years in prison for taking an image or video under somebody’s clothing in order to see their genitals or underwear.
Gina Martin, who led the calls for change, said she hoped the change in law would help people “feel comfortable” to report such crimes.
It is already a specific crime in Scotland but not in Northern Ireland.
Speaking on the day the law came into effect, Ms Martin called on people to report upskirting when they see it happen.
She told BBC News: “If a new law’s there, great – but if we don’t know about it or aren’t reporting it, [then] it doesn’t do anything.

via Upskirting now a crime after woman’s campaign – BBC News

Kirsten Gillibrand, a senator and now-Democratic presidential primary candidate who risked losing the support of big donors and some centrist Democrats by calling for Al Franken’s resignation, will continue to call out Congress for their failure to adequately address sexual assault in the workplace, on college campuses, in the military—and in Congress. She reiterated her support for victims of sexual misconduct at a CNN Town Hall on Tuesday night, and pledged to continue to fight for legislation to combat assault and harassment.

“I believe deeply that we have to end sexual violence in this country. Because fundamentally it goes to a very simple question: do we value women?” she said. “And unfortunately, there’s a lot of evidence that we don’t.”

via Kirsten Gillibrand Pledges to Combat Sexual Misconduct

“It was really disrespectful to survivors to have Kavanaugh and everything he represents to teach at a branch of our university,” Sarah Kurian, a sophomore at George Mason and a member of Mason For Survivors, told Jezebel. Kurian, who says she was sexually assaulted her freshman year by a classmate, connected Kavanaugh’s appointment to her own experiences filing a Title IX complaint. She ultimately lost her case, she said, “because it was my statement versus his statement.” Of the law school’s decision to hire Kavanaugh, she said, “It just shows that we really haven’t taken that many steps forward in caring about the issue of sexual assault.” Kavanaugh, she added, “is just a symptom of a bigger issue within our administration.”

via George Mason Students Protest School's Hiring of Brett Kavanaugh