"My mother was forced into sexual slavery by the Japanese military. To hear the Japanese prime minister say 'comfort women' were voluntary prostitutes is shocking."
Jan Ruff O’Herne, the author's mother. Photograph: Greg Weight
Author Carol Ruff’s mother Jan Ruff O’Herne was a former “comfort woman” or sex slave during World War II. Three weeks ago her mother was featured in The Age newspaper in response to a state by Prime Minister Abe of Japan, who declared “comfort women” were all voluntary prostitutes. However, her mother was not a voluntary prostitute. When she was 21 years old, she was taken away and forced into sexual slavery by Japanese military. For 50 years, she told no one of her war-time experiences, but after she saw Korean war-rape victims making appeals for justice in 1992, she finally spoke out and spent 15 years fighting for the rights of women in war and armed conflict.
“Women are often forgotten heroes of the war. The pain and humiliation of sexual servitude is great. This proposed statue is not a vindictive act towards Japanese people. It is a gesture towards reconciliation healing of the wounds of the World War II. Only through truth can we move forward and learn from the past.” Carol said.
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