Women's Rights

Rape Accountability and Prevention Project (RAPP)

IJDH and BAI joined with grassroots groups in Haiti and international partners to launch the Haiti Rape Accountability and Prevention Project (RAPP) to respond to the epidemic of rapes against poor women and girls in Haiti in the wake of the January 12, 2010 earthquake. RAPP provides individual victims of sexual assault the legal services they need to obtain justice and compensation. At the same time, we work with allies in Haiti and abroad to transform the social context underlying all poor Haitian women’s vulnerability to assault. The Project also aims to deter future rape by punishing the perpetrators and forcing a more effective response by law enforcement and the justice system.
RAPP is building on the BAI’s nearly 20 years’ experience helping poor women and other marginalized groups enforce their human rights to implement a comprehensive response to the rapes. The BAI and IJDH will play a coordinating role and lead the legal activities, but RAPP as a whole will be a wide collaboration assembling the respective talents of Haitian grassroots groups, international advocates and health and legal professionals. RAPP includes four closely integrated components: legal advocacy, healthcare, organizing, and public advocacy.
Former Grassroots Coordinator, Getchine Rose Lima is Goldin Institute’s Global Associate for Haiti. Read more HERE.