8,000 complaints of violence against women, no justice.

Justice Against Domestic Violence in Algeria Sign Now        Dear friends, Please be warned that the message I'm about to share with you contains graphic detail about domestic violence. Salwa (named changed for privacy) is an Algerian woman who experienced gruesome violence at the hands of her husband. When Salwa went to the police for help, she was met with a refusal to investigate instead of the protection she so rightly deserves. It took Salwa's continual push for justice for the police to even punish her husband. Even then he was only slapped on the wrist with a small fine and a suspended sentence. "The state didn't do anything for me. I was almost dead and the court ordered me to go back to him." No woman should have to go through what Salwa has.Her husband beat her for years, which culminated in a brutal incident during which her husband stripped her naked, beat her with a broom, and cut her breasts. And no woman who has gone through such trauma should be denied justice and support by the state. But Salwa is not alone. Last year there were 8,000 complaints of violence against women reported in Algeria (and official numbers likely underestimate the true incidence of abuse). The lack of government services and the response by Algerian officials to women like Salwa is downright appalling. Please sign this petition requesting that the Algerian government pass comprehensive legislation to protect victims of domestic violence. The government can help by providing aid to shelters that provide support to victims, by ensuring that police and courts investigate and prosecute abuses, and by providing restraining orders to keep abusers away from their victims. Add your name to urge the President of Algeria to take immediate action to provide much-needed justice and support for abused women. Thank you,   Alex B. The Care2 Petitions Team P.S. If officials in Algeria won't listen to victims, we need to make sure we can get as many signatures as possible to add more pressure for change. We must stand up and be a voice for victims like Salwa.