Angelina Jolie dedicates pioneering war rape centre in London to ISIS sex attack survivor
The actor, director and human-rights activist joined William Hague as part of her mission to end rape as a weapon of war
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Angelina Jolie opened a new centre in London that aims to put a stop to war rape.
Speaking at the centre based in the London School of Economics on Tuesday, Jolie said: "There is no stable future for a world in which crimes committed against women go unpunished."
LSE's Centre for Women, Peace and Security will carry out research aimed at preventing sexual violence used against women during war.
Jolie dedicated the centre to a teenage girl she met in Iraq. The 13 year old had been captured as an Isis sex slave and had been cast out from her community because she was a rape survivor.
"What we have begun at LSE today is for that Iraqi girl and others like her, who pay the price for the culture of impunity for crimes against women, and our failure to prevent conflict," Jolie said.
The centre's staff will examine the practical side of the problem of rape during war. This will include the best ways to prosecute perpetrators of sexual violence and how to help women rebuild communities and stay safe after conflicts. The centre pledges to put women in conflict zones at the heart of decision making.
"There is no stable future for a world in which crimes committed against women go unpunished; a world in which young girls are unable to reach their potential; where children see their mothers disrespected, violated and murdered," Jolie added, "where it is considered acceptable for a husband to reject his wife and the mother of his children because she was raped, or normal for a woman to be forced to marry her rapist."
Hague said that the centre was "about the enlargement of human freedom".
From this September, students will be able to study a module in Women, Peace and Security at LSE. From 2016, students will be able to apply to study for an MA in the subject.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments