This Cannot Continue Any Longer: Arsen Torosyan on Sexual Violence

Health Minister Arsen Torosyan wrote on his Facebook page:
Zero tolerance for sexual and domestic violence. The stories of sexual violence that started with the tale of the Czech girl and have recently been brought to light through Lucy Kocharyan are horrifying.

Particularly terrifying are the cases of violence against young children and domestic violence. Of course, it is disappointing to see vile comments that blame the victims of violence and justify the perpetrators, but we all must understand that we are obliged to move towards a more mature society that has zero tolerance for violence.

Especially the roots of this violence against women and girls are very deep, even traditional and cultural. This violence begins even in intrauterine life when a mother or father starts considering terminating a pregnancy because the fetus is female. Then this violence continues by differentiating their daughters from their sons, giving everything to the latter and prohibiting the former.

This violence is nurtured by the very parents of the victims, who suppress their right to express themselves and to defend themselves from a young age. Here, the state has a role to play in the prevention of domestic and sexual violence and the protection of victims. The state needs to ensure that the perpetrators receive the punishment they deserve. There is also a need for education and upbringing that elevates the role of women starting from kindergartens and schools.

The state must equip all children with the necessary knowledge and skills to protect themselves. This cannot continue any longer, we must change. From the inside out and from the outside in.