Category Archives: Abuse of Power

March 24, 2024 · 1:00 am

Child Abuse in Hollywood

File:Hollywood boulevard from kodak theatre.jpg

Hollywood Boulevard, Photo by David Diliff (CC BY-SA 3.0 Unported)

The television network Investigation Discovery (ID) is running a documentary series on child abuse in Hollywood.  Titled Quiet on Set – The Dark Side of Kids TV, the series is both engrossing and disturbing [1][2].

Dating back to Jackie Coogan and Judy Garland, the abuse of child actors is nothing new.  Both federal and state laws now limit the hours children may work, require that they receive education on set, and protect their earnings [3].

But there are, also, subtle pressures on children to conform with the demands made of them, in the interest of advancing their careers. Continue reading →

18 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, bullying, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, Emotional Abuse, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse

Tagged as , , , , , , ,

March 17, 2024 · 1:00 am

Abuse at Elite British Boarding Schools

Charles Spencer departs for his first day at Maidwell Hall.

Charles Spencer leaves for Maidwell Hall, Photo courtesy of Charles Spencer by way NBC News

Princess Diana’s brother, Charles Spencer, has written an expose about the emotional, physical, and sexual abuse he endured at Maidwell Hall in the 1970s [1].  Titled A Very Private School, the book exposes the grim realities at one elite boarding school.

Clearly though this is not an isolated problem.

A Widespread Problem

“How I hated schools, and what a life of anxiety I lived there.  I counted the hours to the end of every term, when I should return home.”

–Winston Churchill [2]

A 2018 documentary “Boarding Schools: The Secret Shame” disclosed 31 separate investigations into alleged sexual assault at British boarding schools [3].  The suspicion is that there are many more such instances under investigation.

While it is a legal requirement for schools to report abuse, there is no assurance of compliance.  Because records are decentralized, even Britain’s Dept. for Education may not be aware how many schools are failing to meet standards [7]. Continue reading →

13 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, Emotional Abuse, Justice, Law, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Rape, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

March 3, 2024 · 1:00 am

A Blind Eye

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e5/Marko_I._Rupnik.jpg

Former Jesuit Marko Rupnik, Author Centroaletti (CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

Gloria Branciani first accused the Catholic priest, Marko Rupnik, of adult  clergy abuse as long ago as 1993 [1].  Some 20 women (most of them nuns, members of the Loyola Community, a now defunct religious group Rupnik co-founded) have made the same accusation against him.

Clergy abuse is the misuse of religious authority to harass, exploit, or engage in sexual activity with victims [2].

Branciani described Rupnik’s emotional, psychological, and spiritual manipulation at a recent news conference.  Evidently, Rupnik’s sexual proclivities included a partiality for threesomes which he likened to the Trinity — a comparison simultaneously blasphemous and narcissistic.

Though complaints have now been ongoing for decades, the Catholic Church has yet to remove Rupnik from the priesthood.

Background

Rupnik is a famous artist in Catholic Church circles [3A].  His mosaics decorate sanctuaries and shrines worldwide.  That may be why the church turned a blind eye to his abuse. Continue reading →

9 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Christianity, Emotional Abuse, Justice, Law, Religion, Sexual Abuse, Violence Against Women

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

February 25, 2024 · 1:00 am

Sisterhood and Sexual Violence by Hamas

File:MeToo 7.10.2023 (cropped).jpg

Graffiti by Grafitiyul and Guy Morad critical of women’s organizations which ignored testimony by Israeli women regarding rape and sexual violence during Hamas terrorist attacks 10/7/23, Author Nizzan Cohen (Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International).

WARNING:  Graphic Images

The BBC in December 2023 confirmed that it had seen and heard credible evidence of the rape and mutilation of women by Hamas during the October 7 attack on Israel [1].

The overwhelming evidence of savagery included cuts, bruises, broken pelvises, and vaginal tears.  Victims ranged in age from children and teens to retirees.  The majority did not survive.

“[Many victims’ bodies were] found mutilated and bound, with sexual organs brutally attacked, and in some cases, weapons were inserted into them [2A]”.

The Association of Rape Crisis Centers in Israel has now gathered evidence that there were identical patterns of sexual violence at multiple locations [2B].  Some rapes were committed in front of family and friends, to increase the pain and humiliation of victims and their loved ones.  Gang rape followed by murder was not uncommon. Continue reading →

6 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Justice, Law, Politics, Rape, Terrorism, Violence Against Women

Tagged as , , , , , , , ,

February 11, 2024 · 1:00 am

Vulnerable

Backbone Mountain Youth Center

Backbone Mountain Youth Center, Garrett County, MD, Source https://djs.maryland.gov/Pages/facilities/Backbone-Mountain-Youth-Center.aspx

According to the Children’s Defense Fund, nearly 2000 children and teens are arrested everyday in the United States.  In 2018 alone, there were over 700,000 minors under the age of 18 arrested [1].

Tragically, young people are extremely vulnerable to mental, physical, and sexual abuse and neglect during incarceration [2][3][4].  The Dept. of Justice indicates over 36% of the youth in custody at one Maryland juvenile detention center (Backbone Mountain Youth Center) reported having been sexually abused there — fully three times the national average [5].

A total of two hundred victims of physical and sexual abuse have now sued Maryland’s Dept. of Juvenile Services [6A][7A].  Allegations are that abuse was systemic between 1969 and 2017 [8].  Fifteen facilities (three of which have since been closed) are involved in these suits. Continue reading →

8 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, Emotional Abuse, Justice, Law, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Sexual Abuse

Tagged as , , ,

January 7, 2024 · 1:00 am

Rape and Sexual Assault at the US Coast Guard Academy

File:Seal of the United States Coast Guard.svg

US Coast Guard Seal with motto Semper Paratus (“Always Ready”), Source Navy Reservist (March 2008), (PD)

It is a shame that we must begin the New Year with a focus on misogyny in the military. 

Four courageous women have testified before Congress to the rape, sexual assault, and sexual harassment they were forced to endure at the US Coast Guard Academy with no consequences to the perpetrators [1A]. 

Legally, rape is non-consensual sexual intercourse by physical force, threats, or drugs [2A].  Sexual assault involves any non-consensual sexual contact [2B].  Sexual harassment involves unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, verbal or physical intimidation either in the workplace or in an educational setting [3].

  • One woman had to continue living and studying beside the student who had sexually assaulted her [1B].
  • Another attempted suicide after being raped and sexually assaulted by two different classmates [1C].
  • A third woman was groped in front of dozens of laughing onlookers [1D].
  • The fourth woman was actually penalized for the damage which resulted when two students broke down her dorm room door to attack her and her roommate in their beds [1E].

The demeanor of these women was professional, their testimony compelling.  As CNN reports, their stories are not unique. Continue reading →

8 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Justice, Law, Rape, Sexual Assault, Violence Against Women

Tagged as , , , , ,

December 17, 2023 · 1:00 am

Radicalization

File:US Secretary of Health and Human Services flag.svg

Flag of US Secretary of Health and Human Services, Author Dept. of Health and Human Services (PD)

A proposed regulation by the US Dept. of Health and Human Services (HHS) would prohibit foster families from any attempt to “undermine, suppress, or change” the gender identification of children in their care [1].

Biblical Values Mischaracterized

Couched as “protection” for children suffering from gender dysphoria, i.e. gender identification at variance with their biological sex, the proposed regulation effectively equates the expression of biblical values vis a vis sexuality with child abuse [2].

It should be emphasized that there is no evidence to suggest that foster children in Christian homes have in any way been harmed.

Foster Parents Disqualified

Apart from interfering with religious freedom, the new regulation is likely to deprive the foster care system of thousands of willing foster parents who do not believe children should be chemically or surgically mutilated before they are old enough to purchase alcohol or vote. Continue reading →

7 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, Christianity, Emotional Abuse, Justice, Law, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Religion, Sexual Abuse

Tagged as , , , , , ,

November 26, 2023 · 1:00 am

Reckless Disregard

File:The Children of Odin The Book of Northern Myths 18.jpg

“The Children of Odin” from The Book of Northern Myths (1917), Author Padraic Colum, Illustrator Willy Pogany (PD)

WARNING:  Graphic Images

  • In New York, a 1 y.o. boy, two 2 y.o. boys, and a 7 month old girl are believed to have consumed or been exposed to fentanyl at a daycare center [1].   The youngest boy, Nicholas Dominici, died as a result.  The others had to be hospitalized.  A trap door and hidden drugs were subsequently discovered [2].  The daycare provider Grei Mendez, 36 y.o., her husband Felix Herrera Garcia, 34 y.o., and his cousin Carlisto Brito, 41 y.o., have been indicted for second degree murder and manslaughter.
  • In South Carolina, daycare workers, Serena Caldwell, 56 y.o., and Ericka Jones, 27 y.o, have been charged with contributing to the delinquency of a minor for urging the 3 y.o. and 4 y.o. youngsters in their care to fight one another [1].  Some fourteen children were involved.  Thankfully, none sustained serious injury.  The two women were terminated after security footage was reviewed.

This is depravity of the highest order, and reckless disregard for human life.  There is no other way to describe it.  Even wolves do not treat their young like this.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, And desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jer. 17: 9).

—

[1]  Fox News, “New York City daycare children possibly consume fentanyl, 1 dead,  3 hospitalized:  Report” by Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, 9/16/23, https://www.foxnews.com/us/new-york-city-daycare-children-possibly-consumer-fentanyl-1-dead-3-hospitalized-report.

[2]  CNN, “Bronx day care provider and two others indicted on murder charges in 1 year old’s death.  The boy’s father gives a gut wrenching statement” by Rob Frehse, Jason Hanna, and Holly Yan, 10/6/23, https://www.cnn.com/2023/10/05/us/bronx-day-care-fentanyl-state-charges/index.html.

[3]  Fox News, “‘Rogue’ daycare workers busted for allegedly running child fight ring” by Christina Coulter, 10/11/23, https://www.foxnews.com/us/rogue-daycare-workers-busted-allegedly-running-child-fight-ring.

FOR MORE OF MY ARTICLES ON POVERTY, POLITICS, AND MATTERS OF CONSCIENCE CHECK OUT MY BLOG A LAWYER’S PRAYERS AT: https://alawyersprayers.com

9 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Child Abuse, Christianity, Emotional Abuse, Justice, Law, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Religion

Tagged as , , ,

September 24, 2023 · 1:00 am

Communism, Homosexuality, and the Catholic Church Sex Scandal

File:John-jay1.jpg

John Jay College (CUNY), Author Roger Rowlett (CC BY-SA 2.5 Generic)

In 2011, a landmark study by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice at the City University of New York identified no single cause or predictor for the sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests between 1950 and 2010 [1A][2A].

Celibacy, Homosexuality, and Predation

Principal investigator on the study, Karen Terry PhD, stated that neither celibacy nor homosexuality were causes of the abuse.  Terry concluded that “The increased frequency of abuse in the 1960s and 1970s was consistent with the patterns of increased deviance of society during that time [2B].”

It is not politically correct to criticize homosexual behavior today.  However, more than 80% of victims in this study were pre-teen and teenage boys [1B].  In other words, the problem was primarily one of male-on-male predation by Catholic priests on underage boys.

The Sexual Revolution

Alfred Kinsey — the bisexual author of the Sexual Revolution — is known to have had great animosity toward the Catholic Church [3A][4].  It is now believed that he discarded research data which did not support his intended goal of normalizing homosexuality [3B]. Continue reading →

24 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, Christianity, Emotional Abuse, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Religion, Sexual Abuse

Tagged as , , , , , , , , ,

July 30, 2023 · 1:00 am

Gilgo Beach

File:SCPD Gilgo Death Investigation.jpg

Map indicating location of bodies discovered at Gilgo Beach, Author Atiru
(CC BY-SA 4.0 International)

WARNING:  Graphic Images

Gilgo Beach is a quiet stretch of sandy coastline on Long Island, NY, made infamous by the serial killings which have been uncovered there [1].

Shockingly, the remains of up to 18 victims, murdered between 1996 and 2011, have been found in the general area.  For the most part, these victims — the majority of them women — are believed to have been sex workers.

Serial Predator

Rex Heuermann — a 59 y.o. married architect and father of two — has been charged in the murders of three such victims (Melissa Barthelemy, Amber Costello, and Megan Waterman) [2].  He is the prime suspect in the murder of a fourth (Maureen Brainard-Barnes).  There is speculation that he may be responsible for many more.

Investigative Delay

The identification of victims was necessarily a lengthy and complex process.

However, the FBI did not become officially involved in this investigation until 5 years after the first remains were located by Suffolk County Police [3].  For reasons of his own, former Police Chief James Burke is said actually to have blocked that involvement [4].

There is, also, widespread suspicion among family members of the victims that Suffolk Police did not prioritize the investigation because these women were prostitutes, rather than “upstanding” members of the community.

Child Abuse and Prostitution
A. Sexual Abuse

What is particularly tragic about this story is that there is every likelihood the women had already been the victims of childhood sexual abuse. Continue reading →

11 Comments

Filed under Abuse of Power, Child Abuse, Child Molestation, Christianity, domestic abuse, domestic violence, Emotional Abuse, Justice, Law, Neglect, Physical Abuse, Prostitution, Rape, Religion, sex trafficking, Sexual Abuse, Sexual Assault, Violence Against Women

Tagged as , , , , , , , , , , ,