News Story of the Day

Senator Don Meredith Harassed, Sexually Abused Staff For Years, Say Former Aides

by Zi-Ann Lum, April 30, 2017, Huffington Post

Two sets of doors were always closed before Sen. Don Meredith felt comfortable starting any meeting in his office across Parliament Hill. The first leads to a shared hallway, the second to Meredith's desk. Shutting them both seemed to give him a sense of privacy and control.Staff members found it bizarre, but they did what their boss asked. “Constant paranoia” was a running theme in the office, one former female aide said. Behind those doors, they claim, the senator began inappropriately touching his female employees. 

 


Pesch: Litigation needed to expose abuse

By Bill Pesch, April 30, 2017, Pacific Daily News

As I near the end of my series on family-related laws passed by the 33rd Guam Legislature, I turn my attention to statute that’s received tremendous public attention since its passage in September 2016 — Public Law 33-187.

This law removed the statute of limitations for acts of sexual assault and allowed long ago sexual assault victims to sue both the abuser and those institutions that failed to stop the abuse.


Molestation suspect's bail revoked after luring same victim, officials say

WESH2, April 28, 2017

A molestation suspect out on bail ended up back in jail, accused of the same crime that put him there the first time.

Former church youth director Jon Schils, 28, allegedly targeted the same 14-year-old victim.

Schils faces charges that could lead to life in prison.


Judge asked to review church’s proposed ‘gag order’

By Oliver Uyttebrouck, April 26, 2017, Albuquerque Journal

A Santa Fe judge has been asked to take up the question of how much information the Roman Catholic Church can conceal in clerical sex abuse cases.

Attorneys representing seven New Mexico men who allege they were sexually abused as boys by a Las Vegas priest asked a judge on Friday to reject a proposed order that would allow the Archdiocese of Santa Fe to seal a wide variety of records filed in the lawsuit.

 


Scrutiny Turns to Child Abusers Among Clergy

BY HANNAH HAWKINS, APRIL 26, 2017, The Cambodia Daily

Up to seven foreign clergymen are serving time in Cambodian prisons for child sex crimes, according to the executive director of a child protection NGO, a situation highlighted by the arrest of a Dutch priest who was charged last week with producing child pornography.

Evrard-Nicolas Sarot, 53, who was a parish priest in the Netherlands, is accused of paying 19 boys, all under the age of 15, a few dollars each to pose nude for photographs in Siem Reap City.

Another four victims have been identified since the 19 were interviewed by police last week, and other unidentified victims could have been photographed in the Philippines, where Mr. Sarot may also have worked as a priest, Samleang Seila, head of Action Pour Les Enfants (APLE), said on Tuesday.

 


Child sex abuse survivors fear Cuomo walking back promise to push Child Victims Act

BY KENNETH LOVETT, NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, April 24, 2017

ALBANY — Some child sex abuse survivors fear Gov. Cuomo is going back on his promise to prioritize passage this year of a bill meant to help victims seek justice as adults.

The governor in January said he would introduce his own version of the Child Victims Act, but he has yet to do so.


Woodside pastor who molested 6-year-old girl sentenced to 7 years prison, DA says

Staff Report, April 24, 2017, Sunny Side Post

A Woodside pastor was sentenced to seven years in prison today for sexually abusing a six-year-old girl.

Queens District Attorney Richard Brown announced today that 46-year-old James Love of Woodside, a pastor at New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Brooklyn, was sentenced to seven years in prison after a jury found him guilty of first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child earlier this month.


Canon lawyer: Evidence likely sufficient for Vatican to decide on (Cardinal) Apuron

By Haidee V Eugenio, Pacific Daily News, April 23, 2017

Minnesota-based canon lawyer and former priest Patrick J. Wall said there appears to be more than sufficient evidence for a Vatican tribunal to come to a decision on Archbishop Anthony S. Apuron’s canonical penal trial, after two accusers provided testimony in March.

“In short, the Roman Pontiff can step in and make a decision since he is the supervisor of Apuron,” said Wall, who since 2002 has advocated for hundreds of clergy abuse survivors.


Everything you need to know about Netflix's The Keepers, aka the new Making a Murderer

By Rebecca Hawkes, April 20, 2017, The Telegraph UK

In Baltimore, Maryland, in 1969, a 26-year-old Catholic nun was murdered and her suspected killers, alleged abusers and paedophiles, left free to their continue their crimes.

Years later, a new seven-part Netflix series, the forthcoming The Keepers, has thrust the case into the public eye – and, judging by its gripping trailer, may have uncovered new evidence about a decades-old cover-up.

 


Man accused of inappropriately touching teen at MLK’s church

By Raisa Habersham, April 20, 2017, Intown Atlanta, AJC.com

A man is accused of “abusive sexual contact” after authorities say he inappropriately touched a girl who was visiting Ebenezer Baptist Church with her school.

Herbert Boone Jr. was indicted Tuesday on accusations he “intentionally touched a 13-year-old’s inner thigh and buttocks,” according to a federal indictment.

 


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