Global Quickies: Racist Ad in China, Gay Refugees in the Netherlands, and Brazil Confronts Rape Culture

BRAZIL
“Police in Brazil are attempting to identify 30 men who allegedly participated in the gang rape of a 16-year-old girl, which was filmed on a cellphone and then distributed on Twitter. The assault and its social network aftermath have prompted a furious debate about attitudes toward women, rape culture and online psychological violence.”

CHINA
“A Chinese detergent commercial showing a black man stuffed into a washing machine and transformed into a fair-skinned Asian has provoked outrage, although perhaps more so overseas than at home judging by social-media reaction.”

UK (From Amy)
“Labour, Conservative and Liberal Democrat politicians will come together to call for a national campaign to defeat online misogyny as research reveals the scale of abuse aimed at women on social media.”

NETHERLANDS
“Gay refugees from the Middle East have faced abuse and harassment in Dutch camps, much of it at the hands of fellow refugees. But now LGBT charities have begun to step in to provide support and even accommodation.”

AUSTRALIA
“An Australian politician has made an historic and heartfelt apology for the state of Victoria’s “profoundly wrong” anti-gay laws that saw thousands of people convicted for their sexuality.”

EL SALVADOR
“A woman has been released from jail in El Salvador after spending four years behind bars accused of having an abortion, according to Amnesty International.”

INDIA
“In a highly unusual move, a designer in the southern Indian state of Kerala has launched her new collection of saris, featuring two transgender models.”

AUSTRALIA
“Facebook has apologised after refusing to run an advert featuring plus-sized model Tess Holliday wearing a bikini.”

INDIA
“In what can be called a bizarre blend of medical science and religious faith, a senior doctor at one Mukta Prasad dispensary in Bikaner advises her patients to practice Islam to cure themselves of diseases.”

JAPAN (From Courtney)
“The suspect in the stabbing of a 20-year-old female idol in Tokyo on Saturday repeatedly sent messages to a fellow female performer via her Twitter account after the victim apparently blocked his account.”

ITALY
An Italian doctor is going to stand trial for aggravated negligent homicide after a patient of hers died of cancer which the doctor treated for years with homeopathy and therapy sessions. She even adviced the patient against surgery, telling her that, once she resolved the issues with her ex, she’d be cured.

COLOMBIA
A woman was killed during an exorcism ritual in which the supposed witch covered her in sulfur and alcohol, causing a chemical reaction that severely burned the victim’s body.

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