Bring Back our Girls. (Source: Studio d’Xavier on Flickr. Some rights reserved.)

Editor’s note: A full version of this post with more questions and expert answers appeared on APA’s Psychology Benefits Society blog on May 19th. Will you take action and send a message to congress to #BringBackOurGirls?

Psychology Benefits Society Bloggers: Many of us watching this horror unfold in Nigeria feel powerless. What can we do to help?

Nadine Kaslow, PhD, ABPP, 2014 APA President:  This event reminds us that violence against women and girls is a global health crisis and a human rights violation that contributes to political and economic instability. We must work to end the abhorrent, widespread prevalence of gender-based violence around the world. You can take action by sending a message to Congress to support U.S. engagement to #BringBackOurGirls and to encourage Congress to pass the International Violence Against Women Act.

Bring Back our Girls. (Source: Studio d’Xavier on Flickr. Some rights reserved.)