Sex Crimes

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 68

I'm behind on a few events around the Web. To start, you can find the Carnival Against Sexual Violence 68 here and this is the legal section:

In Drug rape doesn't happen... oh wait posted at The Feminist Housewife, we get a discussion of the danger that comes from refusing to believe reports of drug-facilitated rape can be accurate.

In That Horrible Taxi Rapist Guy posted at Cruella-blog, we get a discussion about the conviction of cabdriver John Worboys and how this crime can impact those who may never know if they were a victim of this type of rapist.

In Burglary is Not a Non-Violent Crime, #2: A Lesson on DNA and Recidivism posted at Crime Victims Media Report, we get a discussion of what happens when certain crimes are dismissed or under-prosecuted simply because they are deemed non-violent.

In Speechless posted at The Curvature, we get a discussion of the rationalizing statements made by Josef Fritzl when he pleaded guilty to only some of the charges against him.

In Thanks for your input, Rudolf posted at Fuck Politeness, we get a discussion of justifying comments made by the attorney representing Josef Fritzl.

In Rape Not Necessarily a Crime in London - Until Last Year posted at Change Happens, we get a discussion about the improper classification of reports to the police by women who believed they might have been raped while unconscious as no crime.

In It's not "sex," it's rape posted at Feministing, we get a discussion of a case where an 18 year-old man was given only 6 months in jail for raping two women.

In Dismissive attitudes towards rape victims persist in the Met posted at The F-Word Blog, we get a discussion of rape complaints that were repeatedly filed as ‘Crime Related Incidents (CRIs)’ rather than as alleged criminal offences in six Metropolitan boroughs.

In Two wrongs = suspended sentence for rape posted at In a strange land, we get a discussion of a judge who treated an underage girl being "severely drunk" as a mitigating factor when it came to reducing the sentences of two men convicted of having underage sex with her.

In Thoughts on Castration for Sex Offenders posted at The Curvature, we get a discussion about debates raging in Europe over whether is ethical and/or smart to castrate sex offenders as a form of punishment or rehabilitation.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 67

Congratulations to abyss2hope which just celebrated its third anniversary. Meanwhile, the new Carnival Against Sexual Violence is up and this is the legal section:

In Proof That Men Who Say Rape Is Only A Women's Issue Are Fools posted at abyss2hope: A rape survivor's zigzag journey into the open, I discuss a crime which was planned to be an acquaintance rape where the victim would typically be doubted or called a cold-blooded liar except for the fact that her rapist didn't find her asleep alone.

In Civil Rights for MST survivors posted at a males life after rape, we get a discussion of the official handling of those with military sexual trauma.

In Let Us Pity the Poor Rapist posted at The Curvature, we get a discussion of rape apologism which comes after a rugby player pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting a woman in New Zealand.

In "My daughter keeps asking if the naughty man is in jail?" and he's not posted at Hoyden About Town, we get a discussion of the light sentence given to Ronald Dean King, after breaking into a house and raping a four year old girl.

In Sentencing Law and Policy: "Shaming and scaring johns into becoming average joes" posted at Sentencing Law and Policy, we get a discussion of an LA john school created as part of an effort by law enforcement officials to stem prostitution in Los Angeles.

In Shrinks Not Buying the 'Too Devout' Defense posted at BARBARA'S TCHATZKAHS, we get a discussion of a case where a man argued that he was incapable of aiding in his own defense because his religious views wouldn't allow him to look at child porn he allegedly produced.

In Update On Nursing Home Rape: Facility Made Errors In Investigation Of Incident posted at Jonathan Rosenfeld's Nursing Homes Abuse Blog, we get a discussion of the details of a case where a 94-year-old resident at Grace Nursing Center in Oklahoma was charged with rape by instrumentality after assaulting another resident at the facility.

In Judge dismisses 2 of 4 felonies filed against Tony Zendejas - Inland Empire Courts posted at Inside SoCal, we get a discussion about a judge's ruling errors which couldn't be corrected during the trial because they favored the defendant.

In Law Enforcement & the Abuser posted at SANCTUARY FOR THE ABUSED, we get a discussion about how abusers interact with the police and the criminal justice system.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 66

It's up at abyss2hope and this is the legal section:

In Another notable story of paralysis and prosecution for child porn posted at Sentencing Law and Policy, we get a discussion about the assumption made about a crime based on assumptions made about the criminal.

In Operation cross country hits Chicago posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion about the impact of child prostitution and how the initial rescuing of children prostituted may not be sufficient to truly rescue those children.

In It's Only Rape If She's A Real Woman posted at Joe. My. God., we get a discussion of a South Korean court which convicted a man for raping a transsexual woman, but apparently only because it was proven that the woman had been having regular vaginal sex with her longtime partner, therefore making her a "real" woman capable of being raped.

In But It's Not His Fault posted at Shakespeare's Sister, we get a discussion of a post by Christopher Frizzelle published on The Stranger titled "What He Did Was Wrong, Yes—But..

In If You Die After You Make A Statement About A Crime Will A Jury Be Allowed To Know About It? posted at abyss2hope: A rape survivor's zigzag journey into the open, I discuss an Iowa Supreme Court ruling on the appeal by attorneys for Sessions Harper related to being named as the person responsible by Holly Michael before she died from her injuries.

Notably, the post from Sex Crimes this month is one of my seminar student posts. So far, I think the class posts have been great and looking forward to more.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 65

It's up at abyss2hope and this is the legal section:

In Algeria CIA Station Chief Accused of Drugging, Raping Women posted at Feministing, we get a discussion of the case where Algeria's top CIA operative has been accused of drugging and raping two Muslim women in his home.

In Shocking Concession Comes out of the Government in Eighth Circuit SORNA Case posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion of federal prosecution of sex offenders who moved to different states before the statute they were being prosecuted on was passed.

In "Bad Samaritan" gets 24 years in California freeway rape case posted at Victimized Over The AOC, we get a discussion of a case where a woman was raped after she ended up in the ditch to avoid hitting another car.

In Landmark Settlement In Title IX Rape Case posted at Terri Patraw, we get a discussion of a civil case where a former Arizona State University student who was raped in her dorm room in 2004 by one of the school's football players will collect $850,000, and the Arizona university system will establish a women's safety czar for all three major campuses -- ASU, the University of Arizona and Northern Arizona University.

In Blaming the victim posted at Grits for Breakfast, we get a discussion about comments made by the current DA in the jurisdiction where Timothy Cole was wrongfully prosecuted which blame the victim in that case while refusing to blame investigators who tainted the ID and ignored key evidence from the victim.

In Injustice From Those Speaking Out Against Injustice posted at abyss2hope: A rape survivor's zigzag journey into the open, I discuss the injustice of blaming a rape victim who was led to make a faulty identification and who had a key detail of her description of her rapist ignored.

In Possible Gender Discrimination in Statutory Rape Charges posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion about a ruling about why a 14 year old boy was charged while the 3 pre-teen girls he had sexual contact with were not also charged with statutory rape when the Massachusetts law doesn't exempt them from prosecution.

In The Law Doesn't Apply to You (if you a white, male Texas Sheriff) posted at Female Impersonator, we get a discussion of the former Texas sheriff, Bill Keating, released by the court pending his sentencing for raping a woman repeatedly.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 64

The 64th edition of the Carnival Against Sexual Violence is out at abyss2hope. Here is the legal section:

In "Lying" about sexual orientation in a rape trial posted at Polymorphous Perversity, we get a discussion about a Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals ruling that a defendant on trial for rape had no right to introduce testimony relating to the alleged victim's sexual orientation.

In A Supreme Court Victory For School Sexual Harassment Cases posted at Gender & Sexuality Law Blog, we get a discussion of the results of Fitzgerald v. Barnstable.

In Sleepwalking as a Defense to Child Molestation Charges? posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion of a strategy that has been successfully used in adult rape cases.

In Texan Christian University gang rape civil suit against the U. I want to gouge my eyes out after reading the comments. posted at Liz - Not Ranting, Just Saying., we get a discussion of a case where the woman who reported rape to the university was pushed by university employees to drop the charges.

In 43 Alaskan Native Americans File Suit Against Jesuits for Rape, Sexual Assault; Alaska Was Catholic Church's Dumping Grounds for Rapist Priests posted at Women's Space, we get a discussion of widespread abuse committed by priests who were sent to Alaska.

In What Kind of Rule?: Rape Shield Ruling by the Court of Appeals of Minnesota Raises Question, What Kind of Rule is the Rape Shield Rule? posted at Feminist Law Professors, we get a discussion about the court putting the burden on the defense to prove that the alleged victim had a history of making a false rape allegation.

In "Sex Offenders' GPS Devices Not a Silver Bullet, States Say" posted at Sentencing Law and Policy, we get a discussion of how GPS tracking compares in practice to the way it was supposed to work.

In Further thoughts on trafficking and slavery posted at Gender & Sexuality Law Blog, we get a discussion about the right of victims of sex trafficking to a remedy under various European and international laws.

In Rape Culture: We're Swimming in It posted at PunkAssBlog.com, we get a discussion of an example given by a law professor where rape is called seduction.

In No Clear Presence Of Non-Consent posted at abyss2hope: A rape survivor's zigzag journey into the open, I discuss a common misstatement of what makes a sexual action not be illegal.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 63

The 63rd edition of the Carnival Against Sexual Violence is out at abyss2hope. Here is the legal section:

In Senator Alquist introduces Statute of Limitations for Sex Crimes (SB 46) posted at CALCASA Public Policy, we get a discussion about a California bill which seeks to eliminate the statute of limitations for rape.

In Proving our innocence (by Suzie) posted at ECHIDNE OF THE SNAKES, we get discussion about how in rape cases even with overwhelming evidence that the rape victim is often assumed to be guilty during the trial so that even the tiniest detail which differs from juror expectations can result in an acquittal.

In FEATURE: Rape Victim Presses Case of Police Abuse in Japan posted at Women's eNews, we get a discussion of a rape survivor's efforts to prevent other rape victims from being treated the way she was treated after she reported having been raped.

In "Shocks fit well into the brothel business model because they cause agonizing pain and terrify the girls without damaging their looks or undermining their market value." posted at Feminist Law Professors, we get a discussion about sex slavery and the assumptions people make about where sex slavery does and does not happen.

In Teacher accused of having sex with teen 300 times posted at DetentionSlip.org, we get a discussion of a teacher accused of abusing a 13-year-old student.

In Human Rights Watch studied abuses posted at CrimProf Blog, we get a discussion of a lawsuit against the Michigan Dept. of Corrections by female inmates over sexual assault, sexual harassment and other inappropriate practices.

In 4th Circuit Got it Right in Comstock posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion of a ruling which found that the part of the Adam Walsh Act which concerns the civil commitment of sex offenders after incarceration is unconstitutional.

In Woman Who "Did Not Want to Have Sex" Arrested for Biting Penis posted at The Curvature, we get a discussion of a case where the husband's physical violence was ignored because it was labeled as self defense yet the woman's decision to bite wasn't considered to be self defense for a possible sexual assault in progress.

In More Garden Variety Male Sexual Aggression? posted at abyss2hope: A rape survivor's zigzag journey into the open, I discuss the charges against 2 Santa Ana College football players and their friend made after a video of the alleged assault was turned over to police by an anonymous source.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 62

While I was traveling, the 62nd edition of the Carnival Against Sexual Violence came out at abyss2hope. Here is the legal section:

In An honest (and honorable?) gendered sentencing outcome in adult-teen sex case posted at Sentencing Law and Policy, we get a discussion about Judge Robert Lynn's comments explaining why he gave Robin Mowery a lower sentence than he would have if the defendant had been a man and the 15 year old who pursued the adult sexually had been a girl.

In Left for Dead posted at Women in Crime Ink, we get a discussion about the upcoming parole hearing for Munk Caselow Willis who was convicted after he and 2 other men kidnapped 2 women, raped them, beat them, shot one as the women ran for safety, and left her for dead in an abandoned quarry.

In Absurd Reason for Rape Acquittal posted at Lawmatters.in, we get a discussion of a high court ruling, which was later reversed by the India Supreme Court, that "Law is well settled that it is not possible for a single man to commit sexual intercourse with a healthy adult female in full possession of her senses against her will.”

In Police Get The Wrong House In Galveston, Allegedly Assault 12-Year-Old Girl posted at Hair Balls, we get a discussion of the fallout of plain clothes policemen grabbing a girl in front of her house and failing to understand why that girl and her father would fight to keep that girl from being put into a van with 3 men.

In If You're A Black Girl You Must Be A Prostitute posted at Womanist Musings, we get a discussion about how plainclothes police responding to a report of prostitution by white women resulted in their grabbing a 12 year old girl from her own yard and declaring that they know she's a prostitute.

In Lesbian Raped and Beaten, Left Naked on Train Tracks posted at The Progressive Puppy, we get a discussion about the gang rape of a woman near San Francisco.

In Easing the agony of rape victims - little steps to make a difference. posted at Fight Back, we get a discussion of changes in India to the Criminal Procedure Code (CrPC) Act to provide some relief to rape victims.

In Can A Crime That Happens 248,300 Times A Year In The US Really Be Rare? posted at abyss2hope: A rape survivor's zigzag journey into the open, I discuss the results of the National Crime Victimization Survey (NCVS) for 2007.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 61

It's up at abyss2hope and this is the Legal section:

In Judge entitled to comment on rape complaint delay posted at West Law Report, we get a discussion of an appeals ruling about a judge's reminder to the jury to balance the biased view from a defense claim that the delay in reporting meant that the report was untrustworthy.

In what evidence? nothing to see here, not here in Harvey, no sir! posted at tales from the grey, we get a discussion of what the Cook County state's attorney's office found when they entered the police department of Harvey, Illinois which included rape kits which had been corrupted due to neglect.

In Passing Judgment: 10th Circuit Case Cites To 4th Circuit Case Allowing Immediate Appeal Of Rape Shield Ruling posted at EvidenceProf Blog, we get a discussion of the results of an appeal made by the rape victim where the issue related to whether the appeal should be heard only after the conclusion of the criminal trial when a wrongful acquittal due to inappropriate admission of the victim's sexual history could not be reversed.

In DOJ Announces Updated Sex Offender Website posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion about a US Dept. of Justice announcement.

In Politicizing Statutory Rape Reporting Requirements posted at Reproductive Rights Prof Blog, we get a discussion sparked by the sting against Planned Parenthood offices where college students pretended to be underage girls covered by mandated reporting rules and how this sting and the reaction ignores the intersection of statutory rape laws, child abuse reporting laws, and patient confidentiality requirements.

In Parental Alienation - Invented by a Pedophile posted at I Missed Being Me, we get a discussion of the foundation for the so-called PAS syndrome which often allowed in court to dismiss the testimony of children abused by their fathers or father figures.

In Case of School Teacher with Pop-up Porn Resolved posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion of a case where a teacher whose computer was infected with malware couldn't close the series of browser windows fast enough to prevent children from seeing some of those images.

In William Wilberforce Trafficking Victims Protection Reauthorization Act of 2008 Passes House and Senate, But Offers Less Protection To Victims Compared with the 2007 House Version. posted at Feminist Law Professors, we get a discussion of human trafficking legislation and the weaknesses in the final version of that act.

Carnival Against Sexual Violence 60

It's up at abyss2hope. Here is the legal section:

In Round here we call that rape posted at Incertus, we get a discussion about a case where an armed police officer coerced a woman with a threat of arrest and who was allowed to plead guilty only to the charge of unlawful compensation because his victim had been drinking and was a recovering drug addict.

In California Appeals Court Revives Transsexual Inmate's Negligence Suit Against Prison Officials, but Rejects State Constitutional Claim posted at Leonard Link, we get a discussion of the ruling on a lawsuit against prison officials by a former California state prison inmate, who claimed to have suffered repeated sexual assaults and beatings at the hands of two cellmates.

In Love Is Not Abuse posted at Elliptically Speaking, we get a discussion of the laws in the Maldives which don't provide specific definitions of rape, marital rape or violence against women.

In The Political Incorrectness of Helen Mirren posted at The Jaundiced Eye, we get a discussion of the actual research related Mirren's claim that women jurors are desired by defense attorneys because they are jealous of the alleged victims which showed that female jurors who refuse to believe that rape could happen to them are more likely to refuse to believe the victim.

In Sex Crimes Prosecutor Charged With Rape posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion of the arrest of Michael Gressett, who is a 20-year prosecutor assigned to the sex crimes unit of the Contra Costa County, Calif., district attorney's office.

In The MO Of Date Rapists Continues To Fool Juries posted at abyss2hope: A rape survivor's zigzag journey into the open, I discuss how the deceptive strategies of rapists which are used to help them succeed at rape can also fool jurors.

In Life Sentence For Failure To Register Cruel and Unusual in Georgia posted at Sex Crimes, we get a discussion of a Georgia Supreme Court ruling.

International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women

The United Nations has designated today, November 25, International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. A quick Google News search about the day yields some strange results. It seems like almost all of the media coverage of the event is from international news sources with almost none in the United States. As an example of international coverage, here is a story from Rwanda:

Rape as a weapon of war is the most notorious and brutal way in which conflict impacts on women.

As the world marks International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women today, it is important to realise that violence against women is no longer just a violation of women's rights but also as a crime of genocide.

In a landmark case, Jean Paul Akayesu, a former bourgmestre of Taba commune was charged with rape among other crimes of genocide, which he allegedly committed in the Taba commune. He was the bourgmestre at the time of the alleged acts and was found guilty. The ICTR sentenced him to life imprisonment.

The ICTR judges not only applied the 1948 Convention for the first time but also enriched its definition by arguing that rape, when perpetrated in a certain manner, could constitute as a criminal act within the wider genocide scheme.

It underscored the fact that rape and sexual violence may constitute genocide just as any other act of serious bodily or mental harm, as-long-as such acts were committed with the intent to destroy a particular group targeted.

Feminist Law Professors has an interesting post about the day highlighting some of the history involved.