Jan Ruff O'Herne

Dutch-Australian human rights activist campaigning against war rape

Jeanne Alida "Jan" Ruff O'Herne AO (18 January 1923 – 19 August 2019)[1] was a Dutch-born Australian human rights and comfort women activist. She was known for her campaigns and speeches against war rape.

During World War II, O'Herne was among young women forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army. Fifty years after the end of the war, O'Herne decided to speak out publicly to demand a formal apology from the Japanese government. She was born in Bandoeng, Dutch East Indies.

O'Herne died on 19 August 2019 in Adelaide, South Australia at the age of 96.[2]

References

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  1. Pearce, Suzannah (2007). Who's who in Australia. Herald and Weekly Times. p. 1788. ISBN 1740951301.
  2. "'Comfort woman' who was repeatedly raped by Japanese troops dies at 96". The Age. Australian Associated Press. 21 August 2019. Retrieved 21 August 2019.