Rape tree

Rape trees are trees or bushes that mark where sexual assaults have occurred by arranging the victim's undergarments on or around the trees branches or on the ground.[1] "Rape trees" are commonly and increasingly found along the United States and Mexico borders as illegal immigration grows.[2][3] Immigrant females are particularly at risk of being assaulted by the typically male "coyotes" that illegally guide them through the border area.[3][4][5] Violent crimes including rape are rarely reported as the victims fear they may be deported after coming forward. Women often seek out birth control methods to prevent pregnancy from anticipated sexual assaults.[5] The marked trees serve to intimidate both the illegal immigrants being guided, as well as local citizens, that the human traffickers are willing and able to commit acts of violence to gain compliance from victims and deter potential witnesses or rescuers.[1][2]


See also

References

  1. 1 2 Fox, Lauren. "The Watch". U.S. News & World Report.
  2. 1 2 Rosario, Marielo (March 11, 2009). ""Rape Trees" Found Along Southern US Border". Latina. LATINA MEDIA VENTURES. Retrieved 7 July 2014. 'Rape trees' are popping up in Southern Arizona and their significance is horrific.
  3. 1 2 Wilkinson, Tracy (July 5, 2014). "Central American migrants on word-of-mouth exodus to U.S.". seattletimes.com. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 7 July 2014.
  4. ↑ Dvorak, Kimberly (September 22, 2009). "Symptoms of illegal border crossings include a Rape Tree". AXS Digital Group LLC dba examiner.com. It is here where females face the wrath of their coyote (smuggling) guides. The trail that leads to the Rape Tree is littered with plastic water bottles and female undergarments.
  5. 1 2 Joffe-Block, Jude (31 March 2014). "Women crossing the U.S. border face sexual assault with little protection". PBS. Fronteras. Retrieved 4 July 2015.
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