White House condemns assaults against women in Egypt demonstrations

"The White House on Friday condemned the rape and assault of women at recent demonstrations in Egypt and called on the Cairo government to prevent sexual violence and prosecute those responsible," Reuters reports (Mason/Holland, 3/29). "White House spokesman Josh Earnest said the administration was 'deeply concerned' about reports of sexual assaults while briefing reporters aboard Air Force One," The Hill's "Global Affairs" blog writes, adding, "Saying the victims were 'the mothers, wives, daughters and sisters of Egypt,' the White House called on the Egyptian government to step in" (Sink, 3/29). The White House also "urged President Mohammed Morsi's administration to avoid blaming the victims for the violence sweeping the country," Foreign Policy's "The Cable" notes (Rogin, 3/29). "The New York Times reported [last] week on the increase in sexual violence and noted that some in Egypt, rather than condemning the acts, are blaming the victims," according to the newspaper (Kirkpatrick, 3/25).