Gran Kaz stands with the 75

Gran Kaz has recently pledged SCR50,000 to ERIS to assist them in their efforts.

 As their name suggests ERIS (End Rape in Seychelles) is a recently formed NGO who have set themselves the not so easy task of tackling the high incidences of sexual harassment and sexual assault in Seychelles.

Far from being a new threat, sexual assault in Seychelles is a topic that has for too long been taboo and as such, failed to garner the attention and action it warrants. ERIS has made it their mission to change this, by smashing the taboo and creating a space for the difficult but necessary conversation to start.

“One of the biggest reasons why sexual assault goes unpunished is because victims are afraid to come forward. It’s a scary thing to do, to tell people about something so painful and that very often feels so shameful. Not knowing what their reactions will be, will they even believe you, will they blame you? We want to create a safe space for people to make the first step to take down their aggressors, by creating a culture of placing the blame solely on the person who is to blame – the offender.” Says Anna Dorizo, Chairperson of ERIS

Through education and open and honest conversation, ERIS believes it can start to pave the way for a more effective system of dealing with sexual assault cases in Seychelles.

“The only way to solve a problem is to first admit that there is a problem” says Shama Amesbury, PR and Communications Manager at Gran Kaz. “Information can more often than not, play a huge role in preventing something that could have been avoided. In a society where the topic of sex, let alone sexual assault is taboo, it is to be expected that cases are swept under the carpet before they even make it to the attention of the authorities. This is why we are so happy to support ERIS in the very brave and very necessary task of starting the conversation”

Gran Kaz has to that effect pledged SCR50,000 to assist ERIS in their programmes going forward. As a newly formed NGO, one of the biggest setbacks to achieving their goals, is lack of funding. Ms. Amesbury says they are proud to be the very first company to pledge financial assistance to ERIS. This is a cause that Gran Kaz feels strongly about”, she says “as anyone can be a victim – young and old, male and female.”

“I, myself had parents who spoke openly to me about all aspects of life; the human body, sex, and the dangers that exist in the world, but not everyone has that. Some children aren’t informed, or live in environments where any talk of sex is taboo – how can you warn your children of the dangers of sexual assault if you cannot first explain to them what sex is, what is acceptable and what is not, how to know if someone is touching you in a manner that is unacceptable. If you cannot give children ownership of their bodies, how can they ever feel confident to say no, when someone attempts to rob them of same? Only through open and honest conversation can we hope to protect our children from those who would take their innocence. This is evident in the case of the 75. Gran Kaz wants to stand with those 75 in the hope that nothing like that ever happens again” Says Amesbury.

For those who aren’t aware, last year around this time the case of the 75 received a lot of media attention – 75 young women who had been tricked by their aggressors into pornography and sexually assaulted. It was the first time that this topic got such widespread media attention, both formal and informal, and this is probably due to the large scale of the offence. And yet even here – there were many who never came forward, the 75 in reality was closer to 100. And how many more victims are out there, who have never and will never come forward.

“The only way to change this is through education. We need to educate our young on the dangers, but also on the fact that no matter what anyone says, it is never their fault. We need to educate the society at large on how to assist victims when they come forward, how to make them feel at ease to tell their story, get them the correct medical attention and get the authorities involved straight away. And we need to ensure that once they come forward, the correct legal procedures ensue, and that victims do not have to face their assaulter on a daily basis because he or she is walking free. We thank Gran Kaz for their support in helping us to achieve this.” Says Dorizo

Despite CSR tax having been abolished, Gran Kaz’s commitment to Corporate Citizenship remains unchanged.

“Yes the tax has been abolished, but this doesn’t mean we’re going to stop supporting worthy causes” says Amesbury. “Having been closed for so long, means that financially we are no longer in a position to give as much as we used to, but we will still give what we can. We will also continue to find other ways to help. In fact we are in discussions right now with ERIS to see how else, aside from financially, we can assist them.”