HORRIFIC CASES OF PHYSICALLY ABUSED CHILDREN BROUGHT TO COURT
COP AND FIANCEE INDICTED FOR CAUSING HIS AUTISTIC SON TO FREEZE TO DEATH
Police officers are supposed to save lives, but this law enforcement agent stands accused of subjecting his 8 year old to horrific abuse and neglect. Worse yet, the county child protective agency failed to intervene in time to save the boy’s life, as described here.
PARENTS SENTENCED TO PRISON FOR PHYSICALLY ABUSING THEIR TWELVE CHILDREN
Explains what took place in criminal court in the “house of horrors” case that was described on page 290 of Chapter 8 in the Tenth Edition.
The parents sometimes chained their children to their beds, and fed them only one meal a day, often merely a peanut butter sandwich. The family’s suburban home reeked of human waste, but the parents somehow convinced their children that the confinement and deprivation was in accord with God’s will. When the couple pleaded guilty in order to spare their children the ordeal of recounting on the witness stand how they were beaten and tortured for years, the judge sentenced both of them to “from 25 years to life” in prison. Some of the children spoke out in behalf of their parents, as described here and here. Listen to what their daughter – a college student – told the court at their sentencing hearing here.
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TEN CHILDREN REMOVED FROM THEIR BRUTALLY ABUSIVE PARENTS
Provides another example of terrible physical abuse in a large family.
Two parents were held in jail and their ten children were placed in the custody of the county child welfare agency after the authorities lodged charges of torture, molestation, and child endangerment. According to the police, some of the children were hit with sticks and bats, and even were subject ed to a type of “waterboarding” or had scalding water poured on them, as recounted here.
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RELIGIOUS ORGANIZATIONS INVESTIGATED
AFTER COMPLAINTS ARE FILED
BY VICTIMS OF CHILDHOOD SEXUAL ABUSE
Provides more information about victims who were abused by clergymen and other persons holding positions of trust in religious organizations, as discussed on pp. 304-306 of Chapter 8 in the 10th edition.
REPORTS SURFACE ABOUT WIDESPREAD SEXUAL ABUSE OF CHILDREN BY MEMBERS OF THE SOUTHERN BAPTIST CONFERENCE
Estimates by investigative journalists based on court records suggest that at least 700 young church members were sexually abused by Southern Baptist pastors, deacons, and youth pastors over a period of twenty years. Many of the girls may have been extremely reluctant to lodge complaints against their molesters because on the emphasis on “sexual purity” within the evangelical movement, according to this article and this radio interview.
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GRAND JURY IN PENNSYLVANIA CONCLUDES THAT SEXUAL ABUSE BY CATHOLIC CLERGYMEN WAS WIDESPREAD
A grand jury report identified more than 1,000 victims by over 300 priests over a period of 70 years. The report concluded that there were probably thousands more victims whose were intimidated to come forward or whose records were lost as a result of a cover-up by leaders of the Roman Catholic Church in Pennsylvania. This investigation was the most extensive probe to date by a government agency of child sexual abuse in the Catholic Church, as presented here and in this video.
One diocese has set up a compensation program, as specified here.
But some victims will turn down offers of compensation, and will pursue civil lawsuits as a means of redress, as advocated here.
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VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE WHO ARE UP TO 55 YEARS OLD NOW CAN PRESS CRIMINAL CHARGES AND FILE CIVIL LAWSUITS AGAINST THEIR VICTIMIZERS IN NEW YORK STATE
Provides more information about victims who seek redress through legal proceedings,, as discussed on pp. 308-309 of Chapter 8 in the 10th edition.
A law passed in New York State will allow victims to bring civil cases against their abusers or an institution until they reach 55 years of age (formerly, they lost this right at age 23). Criminal charges can be brought until the victim turns 28 for felony allegations and 25 when accusing someone of committing misdemeanors, as outlined here.
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VICTIMS OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY PRIESTS CALL THEIR ORDEALS “TORTURE” AND SEEK SUPPORT FROM THE UNITED NATIONS
An organization of former victims allies with the Center For Constitutional Rights and calls upon the Catholic Church to end decades of cover-ups, according to an interview with a leader of this survivors’ group
THE GRANDSON OF A FAMOUS EVANGELIST LEADS CAMPAIGN TO ADDRESS SEXUAL ABUSE IN PROTESTANT CHURCHES
A well known and very devout bible college is being targeted, as covered in this interview.
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SEXUAL ABUSE PROBLEM IN THE BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA WAS WORSE THAN PREVIOUSLY BELIEVED
Adds another organization in which persons in positions of trust sexually exploited children in their care, as presented on page 306 of Chapter 8 of the Tenth Edition
New estimates based on a careful review of the organization’s secret files suggest that more than 7,800 individuals allegedly abused over 12,250 victims, according to the testimony presented in court, as described here..
FORMER “MISS AMERICA” PLEDGED TO RAISE CONSCIOUSNESS ABOUT THE PROBLEM OF CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE
Connects to maximalist vs. minimalist views, discussed on pp. 233-235 in Ch. 8.Orignally from Alabama, but representing Brooklyn, the winner of the beauty pageant promises she will lobby for mandatory eduction about the sexual abuse of children. She revealed that her mother, grandmother, aunt, and some cousins had been victims. Read the article here.
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INTERVIEW WITH A VICTIM OF SEXUAL ABUSE BY AN INFAMOUS COLLEGE FOOTBALL ASSISTANT COACH
Connects to the real-life scandal that rocked a university, detailed on p. 236 of Ch. 8 in the Eighth EditionMolested at age 11, he first reported his ordeal at age 14. He became “victim number 1” when the investigation led to a trial. He speaks out about the initially negative public reactions to his revelations here.
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FORMER SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE, SENTENCED AS A “SERIAL CHILD MOLESTER,” IS CONFRONTED BY HIS VICTIMS
For eight years, he was the second in line (after the vice-president) to run the United States government; now he is going to a federal prison. Before he was a politician, he was a high school wrestling coach, and during that time he sexually assaulted at least two boys. Hear what his victims said here and here.
The entire affair came to light when the former Speaker of the House paid one of his victims “hush money” in a way that violated banking laws. Now “Individual A,” who grew up to become an accomplished wrestler, is suing his molester for some additional money, as explained here.
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YOUNG MAN BUTCHERS FATHER WHO ALLEGEDLY SEXUALLY ABUSED HIM
A 24-year old confesses to the police that he stabbed his dad to death and then carved him up and hid his remains in the woods. He clearly is delusional but was he truly sexually abused repeatedly, as he claims
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A YOUNG WOMAN NOW TRIES TO GET HER FATHER, WHOM SHE FALSELY ACCUSED OF SEXUAL ABUSE AS A LITTLE GIRL, OUT OF PRISON
Connects to the discussion about false accusations made during custody battles, reviewed on p. 240 in Ch. 8.Under intense pressure from her infuriated mother, a little girl accused her father of sexually molesting her. He was convicted on the basis of her testimony and sentenced to a lengthy term of imprisonment. Now, years later, she and her mother say the molestation never happened, but still he has not been released from prison. See the disturbing video here.
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A TEN YEAR OLD BOY KILLED HIS FATHER. IS THIS A CASE OF A PHYSICALLY ABUSED SON KILLING A BRUTAL PARENT?
It is very rare for a child who is only 10 years old to shoot and kill his father. The victim was a leader of a right wing extremist group, part of a Neo-Nazi movement in California. The boy had a history of acting violently in school against a teacher and towards other children. Did his father’s vile extremist views, seeing with intense hatreds, play a role in this murder? Did the father’s encouragement of his son’s involvement with guns also play a role? Watch the video about this case here (fast forward to 14 minutes, 45 seconds).
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