Jan Ruff-O'Herne

Jan Ruff-O'Herne
AO
Jan Ruff-O'Herne AO
	Portrait taken in March 1942, shortly before the Japanese invasion of Indonesia
Born	18 January 1923; Bandoeng, Dutch East Indies
Died	19 August 2019 (aged 96); Adelaide, South Australia
Spouse	Tom Ruff
Awards	Knight, Order of Orange-Nassau (2001); Centenary Medal (2001); Officer, Order of Australia (2002); Dame Commander, Order of St. Sylvester (2002);

Jeanne Alida "Jan" Ruff-O'Herne AO (18 January 1923 – 19 August 2019) was a Dutch Australian of Irish ancestry and human rights activist known for campaigning internationally against war rape. During World War II, Ruff-O'Herne was forced into sexual slavery by the Imperial Japanese Army. After remaining silent for fifty years, Ruff-O'Herne spoke out publicly from the 1990s until her death to demand a formal apology from the Japanese government and to highlight the plight of other "comfort women". On her death, the South Australian Attorney-General noted: "her story of survival is a tribute to her strength and courage, and she will be sorely missed not only here in South Australia, but around the world."

Jan Ruff-O'Herne AO
Portrait taken in March 1942, shortly before the Japanese invasion of Indonesia
Born	(1923-01-18)18 January 1923 Bandoeng, Dutch East Indies
Died	19 August 2019(2019-08-19) (aged 96) Adelaide, South Australia
Spouse	Tom Ruff
Awards	Knight, Order of Orange-Nassau (2001) Centenary Medal (2001) Officer, Order of Australia (2002) Dame Commander, Order of St. Sylvester (2002)