The Army says the coordinator of a sexual assault prevention program at Fort Hood, Texas, is under investigation for “abusive sexual contact” and other alleged misconduct. He has been suspended from all duties.
The announcement Wednesday evening came just days after the arrest of the Air Force’s head of sexual assault prevention on charges of groping a woman in a northern Virginia parking lot.
The Army said a sergeant first class, whose name was not released, is accused of pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates.
For those playing score at home, that’s two of the four major branches of the military.
Editor’s Note — We’ve updated the post to include official figures from the Pentagon’s report. — Scott @ SFB
The Indian Parliament’s lower house passed a landmark law Tuesday that sets tougher penalties for rapists and police who refuse to file a woman’s complaint of rape, as well as criminalizing sexual offenses such as stalking, voyeurism and acid attacks.
The amendments to the existing law incorporate some of the sweeping changes that were demanded after the fatal gang rape of a young paramedical student in New Delhi in December, an incident that sparked a nationwide outcry against the lack of safety for women.
Despite the unprecedented protests that galvanized tens of thousands of Indians, the number of incidents of sexual assault has not diminished.
Those convicted of sexual assault in India will now face the death penalty in cases where their victim(s) dies or is left in a permanently vegetative state, and mandatory minimum sentences have been raised to 20 years in prison (formerly 7-10 years). Government approval will no longer be needed to pursue charges against policemen, government officials, politicians, or judges either; however, the legislation fails to address cases of marital rape or sex crimes committed by members of the Indian military. Still, it’s pretty hard not to look at today’s changes as signs of progress.
backyardgoldmine says: I don’t understand why American news organizations are more concerned about the gang rapes that happen in India than the ones that happen here. Like the only articles Shortform Blog have about Stubenville are two articles about Rick Santorum giving a speech there.
» SFB says: We posted an article about Steubenville just a couple of days ago. As far as the case in India, it’s very significant issue culturally in that country and prior cases have led to mass protests. We try to cover issues happening in the U.S. as well as internationally. Fact of the matter: Both cases are worth our time and important to cover. — Ernie @ SFB
There’s an abundance of evidence here that she was making decisions, cognitive choices…She didn’t affirmatively say no.Attorney Walter Madison • Defending Steubenville High football players Trent Mays and Ma’lik Richmond against charges of rape during a pre-trial hearing. The two high school students stand accusing of repeatedly raping an unidentified 16-year-old female student during a party last year, and are scheduled to begin trial Wednesday to face federal sexual assault charges. Madison argues that the charges were only leveled after the alleged victim’s parents found out what happened, saying the young girl was simply too embarassed to admit there was consent. source
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel is reviewing a lieutenant general’s decision to overturn a guilty verdict in a sexual assault case.
Hagel wrote in a letter to Sens. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) that he told the Air Force secretary and Pentagon lawyers to review the case after Lt. Col. James Wilkerson’s guilty verdict was dismissed by Lt. Gen. Craig Franklin.
While he’s called for a review of the case, Sec. Hagel was also quick to remind reporters that he has no legal authority to overturn the decision himself; however, many on Capitol Hill are hopeful that this will be a first step towards overhauling the Pentagon’s existing policies for investigating/prosecuting cases of sexual assault.
I had not talked about this issue with Alfred Hitchcock to anyone. Because all those years ago, it was still the studio kind of situation. Studios were the power. And I was at the end of that, and there was absolutely nothing I could do legally whatsoever. There were no laws about this kind of a situation. If this had happened today, I would be a very rich woman.Actress Tippi Hedren • Reflecting on the ordeal of starring in two of Alfred Hitchcock’s much-lauded films, Marnie and The Birds. Hedren says Hitchcock became disturbingly, sexually obsessed with her, once unsuccessfully trying to assault her, after which he subjected her to grueling and dangerous attacks by live birds during the latter film, leaving her bloodied. In advance of the debut of an HBO feature about her frightening and harassment-laden relationship with the late director, Hedren was given an advance screening: “When I first heard [actor Toby Jones’] voice at Alfred Hitchcock, my body just froze.” source
Trigger warning on this you guys: it’s a story about a victim of a vicious sexual assault whose awesome brother is trying to raise $65,000 to help cover her surgery.
“I didn’t want this to be just a story of the tragedy that happened. Lydia was really, really torn up from this. Her injuries were so bad. I thought, Lydia’s still kickin, she’s been through a lot. She hung in there.”
Newton to the rescue: Embattled Missouri Senate Candidate Todd “Legitimate Rape” Akin may have been abandoned by the Republican establishment, but he’s not entirely without friends: Akin is getting an assist from failed presidential candidate and “Definer of Civilization“ Newt Gingrich, who will be attending a $500-a-plate fundraiser for Akin’s candidacy this Monday (Photo credit: AP). source
It’s made it extremely hard to interact with authority figures. During my tour in Afghanistan, I was a little bit more scared of everything. I can’t work with certain individuals just since they remind me of Staff Sgt. Walker.A reported victim of Staff Sgt. Luis Walker • Discussing how she felt in the months and years after having been sexually assaulted by the Air Force instructor. She was one of five women to speak at his sentencing hearing on Saturday. Walker, convicted of multiple counts of rape and sexual assault, will face 20 years in prison for these crimes. He could have gotten life.
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Hey, Belvedere, here’s a free marketing tip: Sex sells! Rape, on the other hand, doesn’t. Unless it’s the first half of a horror film, and it’s followed by the victim exacting sweet revenge on her assailants. Belvedere pulled the ad an hour after tweeting it, and promptly apologized, but still, we’re rather shocked this got past even the initial stages of consideration. source
As was requested by one of our readers, here are Liz Trotta’s remarks about the rates of sexual assault against women in the military, which have inflamed so much criticism. Be forewarned, they may make your blood run a little hotter than usual.
In tactical move, Jerry Sandusky waives pre-trial hearing: Sandusky’s decision to waive the pre-trial prevents the alleged victims from having to recollect their cases today, but surprised many; some see the decision as a smart tactical move on his lawyer’s part. source
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