We have previously written about the use of therapy dogs in court. For victims of sexual abuse – especially child victims – a trained canine companion can provide much-needed comfort and a sense of stability during what is often a traumatic experience. Therapy dogs are coming into wider use in courtrooms here in Pennsylvania and […]
Pennsylvania readers who have been following the legal developments surrounding former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky may have heard of the most recent development: Sandusky has requested that a judge allow him to use subpoena power to examine, among other things, potential wrongdoing in connection with the grand jury process that led to […]
When the Jerry Sandusky scandal became national news, Americans were naturally horrified and disgusted. But some who followed the Sandusky trial had far more visceral reactions, leading them to suddenly recall long-repressed memories. Many childhood sexual abuse survivors have said that the Sandusky news coverage triggered flashbacks that had been buried since childhood. Repression of memories […]
For a lot of sexual assault victims, going on with life after an unwanted sexual encounter can be incredibly challenging. In many cases, victims immediately suffer from anxiety and even depression. They may have trouble sleeping and oftentimes relive their experience, making matters worse. For many victims, criminal proceedings do not do enough justice. And […]
We have previously written that too many colleges and universities in America fail to appropriately handle allegations of sexual assault. In some cases, when victims come forward, school administrators try to handle the allegations quietly so that they don’t receive unwanted media attention. Other times, school counselors and others who are supposed to be victim […]
Earlier this summer, we wrote about a news story that sparked controversy, anger and a lot of public discussions. It involved the Duggar family, of the now-cancelled TLC reality show “19 Kids and Counting.” The family’s wholesome image was tarnished by surfacing allegations that the eldest son Josh had molested five girls starting when he was […]
There are few television interviewers out there who can handle a truly diverse array of guests and topics. Even rarer are the interviewers who can handle the most sensitive subjects with the grace and respect that they require. When we think of interviewers who fit that description, Oprah Winfrey often tops the list. Although Oprah […]
Earlier this week, we wrote about the passage of an important piece of legislation in Massachusetts. Signed into law by Gov. Patrick yesterday, the bill lifts the statute of limitations on many sexual abuse cases. Child sex abuse survivors would have until the age of 53 to pursue civil lawsuits against their abusers and others […]
Each of us needs to pay for professional services and advice on a regular basis. We take our car to the repair shop, we hire an accountant to help us with our taxes and we regularly pay for deliciously prepared food and table service in restaurants. Bad service in these situations can certainly be frustrating. […]
It has only been in recent decades that Americans have truly been able to talk openly about the very difficult subjects of rape and sexual abuse. These are still not easy conversations to have, but victim advocates are doing their best to keep rape and sexual abuse from being swept back under the rug, so […]