ACID VIOLENCE
Acid violence is a form of premeditated violence, usually against women, involving throwing corrosive acid at the face of the victim. Acid violence rarely kills but always destroys lives, often young lives.
A survivor of an acid attack, even if she (or he) has been able to get good and early treatment, will for the rest of her life have a scarred and often disfigured face. All too often she then will have to cope with social isolation and ostracism which further undermines her self-esteem and confidence. So the trauma is not only physical but psychological and social.
CURRENT NEWS
The British 10K London Run
For the first time ever ASTI will be entering a team to run the British 10K London Run on Sunday July 12th 2009. This spectacular race takes you along London's most historic landmarks, with entrants following the route for the 2012 London Olympic Marathon for much of the course. Last year over 26,000 people took on the run. 6 ASTI supporters will be running and fundraising for us. Please visit their justgiving page to support them:
www.justgiving.com/running4asti
JustGiving
Please support Alison Marston in her efforts to raise funds for ASTI by cycling from London to Paris in July 2009: http://www.justgiving.com/alimarston
Acid Survivors Trust International Facebook Group
You can keep track of all the latest news from around the world, and engage in discussions by becoming a member and joining Acid Survivors Trust International on Facebook.
Please join the group and help us spread the word! www.facebook.com/group.php
JustGiving
You can see how your actions are helping ASTI address the crime of acid violence by creating your own fundraising page on JustGiving. Whether you have donated, set up an event, or taken part in an event - with JustGiving all actions are displayed. See our Trustee Moira Pool's fundraising page and why not consider developing your own!
http://www.justgiving.com/moirapool
Acid violence in the news
28th November 2008 - A court in Iran has ruled that a man who blinded a woman with acid after she rejected his marriage proposals will also be blinded with acid. The victim of the act asked the court for this to take place in retribution, and the court judges unanimously decided that the perpetrator pay compensation and also have acid put in his eyes.
12th November 2008 - In oppositin to the education of women, at least 15 girls were sprayed in the face with acid near Mirwais Nika Girls School - Kandahar, Afghanistan.
In the words of the Bengali poet Rabindranath Tagore, we want to help create a climate:
"Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high"