Four top U.S. gymnasts, Simone Biles, Aly Raisman, McKayla Maroney, and Maggie Nichols, testified at a Senate hearing Wednesday on how the FBI botched the investigation into sexual abuse allegations made against former USA Gymnastics doctor, Larry Nassar. Nassar is currently serving a life sentence for molesting hundreds of women and girls during his time […]
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Congress Introduces BE HEARD Act
The BE HEARD Act, a comprehensive bill meant to address and prevent workplace sexual harassment, was introduced in Congress on Tuesday by Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA), Rep. Katherine Clark (D-MA), Rep. Ayanna Pressley (D-MA), and other co-sponsors. The bill is intended to close loopholes within federal discrimination laws, such as the Civil Rights Act of […]
House to Vote on the Violence Against Women Act Reauthorization
The House is set to vote on the reauthorization of the Violence Against Women Act tomorrow. The law expired in February during the government shutdown. A new provision in the bill will prevent convicted stalkers or dating partners convicted of domestic abuse from owning a gun. The current law only prevents those convicted of abuse and […]
Pope Issues New Mandate Regarding Children and Abuse Survivors
On Friday, Pope Francis issued a new requirement mandating that Vatican officials report suspected sexual abuse to the Vatican judicial authorities. If they fail to do so, they will face fines or jail time. Francis says that this cooperation is absolutely necessary “in the activities of prevention.” This comes after the Pope admitted last month […]
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Thousands of Complaints of Sexual Abuse from Migrant Youths in Detention Centers
On Tuesday, a Democratic representative from Florida, Ted Deutch, released a report outlining the sexual abuse of migrant youths in detention facilities that included 4,556 filed complaints of sexual abuse from other youths in detention, adult staff, and other adults who are not staff. The report detailed complaints over the last four years from October […]
Pope Admits Reports of Clerics Sexually Abusing Nuns
During a trip to the Middle East, Pope Francis admitted that some clerics were sexually abusing nuns, stating that the sexual abuse of nuns has been an ongoing problem that the church is working on and that many clerics have been suspended. In two weeks, Pope Francis will be hosting a gathering of bishops and […]
6 Year Old Sexually Abused in Immigration Detention Told to Stay Away from Assailant
After a 6-year-old girl was sexually abused in an immigrant detainment center in Arizona, she was forced to sign a document saying it was her responsibility to stay away from her abuser. The girl was residing in the detention facility after being forcibly separated from her parents at the southern border. Her abuser is an older child staying in the same center, Casa Glendale.
Larry Nassar Faces Additional Charges
A grand jury in Texas has charged former Michigan State and USA Gymnastics Team Doctor Larry Nassar with six additional counts of sexual assault for attacks that allegedly occurred at the famed Karoyli Ranch, a gymnastics training center for budding Olympians. The Karoyli Ranch near Houston is run by the notoriously abusive gymnastic coaches Martha and Bele Karoyli. County prosecutors have declined to file charges against the couple.
Abuse Victim Advocate Blasts Pope’s Remarks on US Bishops’ ‘Courage’
In a statement released Wednesday by the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, president Barbara Blaine blasted Pope Francis for his praise of US bishops’ “courage,” accusing the pontiff of doing “little if anything” to meaningfully address the Catholic Church’s decades-long sex abuse crisis.
Fraternity Signs Promote Rape Culture, Elicit Outrage
The signs, which ask for first-year women- and their moms- to be dropped off at an ODU fraternity “for a good time,” have elicited outrage and a promise of disciplinary action from the University.
Pope Begs Forgiveness of Sexual Abuse Survivors, But Survivors Want Action
“These meetings are public relations coups for the Vatican and distracting placebos for others. They provide temporary but false hope.”
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Judge Rules Church Can Protect Funds From Abuse Settlements
A federal judge issued a ruling that the Archdiocese of Milwaukee can legally prevent $57 million from going to settlements in the church’s ongoing sexual abuse scandals by transferring the funds into a trust fund designed for the upkeep and maintenance of Milwaukee Catholic cemeteries.
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New Documents Released Suggest Priest Pedophilia Cover-Up
New documents released to the public on Monday suggest that Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan attempted to protect priests accused of sexually abusing minors and redistributed church funds to prevent them being seized as assets in abuse settlements.
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High-Ranking Catholic Clergyman Convicted!
After a three-month trial, Monsignor William Lynn of Philadelphia has been found guilty of one count of endangering children in the archdiocese for which he served as secretary of clergy from 1992 to 2004. Lynn is now the first senior church official to be convicted of a cover-up in the priest sexual abuse scandals that have rocked the Catholic Church over the last 10 years. He faces 3 1/2 to 7 years in prison.
