Volume 5, Number 2 (2011)
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Item Recommendations to Reduce Sexual Violence Rates in Haitian IDP Camps(New Voices in Public Policy, 2011) Bird, Olivia Marianne; Emery, Maggie; Shaw, Megan; Santosa, LisaIn January 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake tore through the area surrounding Haiti’s capital of Port-au-Prince, destroying much of the city’s already fragile infrastructure. Over 222,570 people were killed and 300,572 injured. An additional 2.3 million—almost a quarter of the population— were displaced and now live in roughly 1,300 internally displaced person (IDP) camps.The camps are constructed mostly of tarpaulins, have limited public shower and toilet facilities, and lack adequate lighting and sanitation. These living conditions exacerbate the already high risks of sexual violence in Haiti. As sexual violence is severely underreported, no official statistics exist for the levels of rape in IDP camps in Haiti. However, there is evidence that sexual violence is rampant. In fact, a University of Michigan study estimates that 3% of the female Haitian population in IDP camps has experienced sexual violence since the earthquake. Although $5.5 billion have been pledged to rebuild Haiti in the months following the earthquake, aid absorption is low and disbursement is slow. In fact, the few Haitian groups that are working to address sexual violence have received little to no funding in the last ten months. This paper is a response to the United Nations Stabilization Mission in Haiti’s (MINUSTAH) decision in September 2010 to launch a campaign to eliminate sexual violence in Haitian IDP camps. In order to successfully carry out a campaign to end sexual violence, MINUSTAH must involve local Haitian women and non-government organizations (NGOs) in all phases of planning and implementation. In doing so, MINUSTAH should provide practical training programs to women and men living in the IDP camps and assist them to form autonomous security brigades in order to protect women and prevent sexual violence.Item Injustice for All? Why Congress Should Require Criminal Intent for Criminal Convictions(New Voices in Public Policy, 2011) Hildebrandt, RebekahItem The European Sovereign Debt Crisis: Responses to the Financial Crisis(New Voices in Public Policy, 2011) Sandoval, Lazaro; Beltran, Erika; Ulziikhutag, Sodgerel; Zorigt, TemuunThe ongoing European sovereign debt crisis continues to shake financial markets and the Eurozone. The International Monetary Fund and the European Union (EU) have acted swiftly to diminish panic and uncertainty by providing emergency assistance to Greece, Ireland and Portugal. However, uncertainty remains and queries have arisen over the vigor and effectiveness of multi-lateral institutions like the EU. This paper will establish the origins of the crisis, enumerate European and international responses, bring to light possible alternatives to implemented policies, and finally explore the broader implications for Europe, the United States and the rest of the world.Item Where Are the Doctors? Primary Care Physician Shortage in the United States(New Voices in Public Policy, 2011) Morris, Taylor E.The United States is experiencing a trend that may leave many Americans without primary care services. Medical students prefer entering specialties instead of primary care. Combined with previously set primary care residency caps, this trend has created a shortage of primary care physicians (PCPs). This analysis addresses the issues medical students have with primary care, which include limited availability of primary care residencies. PCPs receive a lower salary than specialists, making it difficult to pay off student loans. For various reasons, medical students perceive the lifestyle of primary care to be unpleasant and prefer entering a specialty field. Our focus is on attracting more medical students into primary care and retaining PCPs so that Americans have greater access to primary care services. This analysis provides four alternatives to the status quo. Our recommendation is to increase mandatory funding to the National Health Service Corps and to adopt two office models (mixed-office and satellite) for PCPs. This recommendation provides incentive for medical students to pay off student loans quicker and provides Americans with greater access to primary care services. This analysis provides solutions that are easily implemented and effectively increase the number of practicing PCPs.