More Than 180 Women Have Reported Sexual Assaults at Massage Envy
Many people visit Massage Envy, the largest chain of massage franchises in the country, for relaxing spa treatments. Now, customers say what they got instead was sexual assault. More than 180 women across the country have filed lawsuits, according to to police reports and state board complaints against Massage Envy....
Continue ReadingHow Case Law Impacts Title IX
Sexual assault survivors across the country are filing Title IX lawsuits in a brave pursuit to hold their universities accountable. Through Title IX lawsuits, survivors inspire discussion and prompt positive changes in legislation and schools Title IX policies and procedures. To establish a Title IX claim in a civil lawsuit...
Continue ReadingWhat You Should Never Say to a Sexual Assault Survivor
A sexual assault is never the fault of the survivor. It takes great courage for a survivor to speak about a sexual assault or reach out for help, and they should always be believed and supported. Sometimes it is hard to find the right words to say, but there are...
Continue ReadingTitle IX: Federal and State Law – Does Federal Law Trump Bad State Law?
Sexual assault survivors often feel abandoned and unsure of their rights. Survivors typically turn to their state and local laws, only to feel disappointment and without hope for their case. Any state or local law that may be in conflict with Title IX would be in violation of a survivor’s...
Continue ReadingAlabama Educator Arrested for Possession of Child Porn and Sex with a Student
Brett Kirkham, 39-year-old human resources director for Jefferson County Schools and longtime educator is now under arrest. Kirkham was charged Thursday, June 30, 2016 with a school employee engaging in a sex act with a student. The male student is no longer a juvenile, but the alleged relationship was ongoing...
Continue ReadingSexual Assault – Breaking through the Closed Doors
Lindsey Lose, a 21-year-old thriving college student, recalls what it was like to be sexually abused as a child. Behind closed doors, she was molested by her own grandfather. While many children look to their grandparents in adoration, Lindsey endured manipulative abuse that began when she was only 5-years old...
Continue ReadingDocumentary Stirs Discussion About Campus Rape and Sexual Assault
A new documentary on campus rape is stirring controversy. CNN was threatened with legal action for airing it, Slate’s Emily Yoffe has called into question one of its central claims, and 19 Harvard Law School professors have written a letter denouncing its portrayal of how Harvard handled a particular rape...
Continue ReadingFamily Doctor Facing Sexual Assault Charges Involving Patient
A physician was arrested and charged with soliciting prostitution after allegedly asking a patient to have sex in exchange for money and drugs. According to news reports, 52-year-old Dr. Ervin Wells was arrested at an Albertville hotel as a result of a criminal investigation prompted by accusations of a...
Continue ReadingOur View: Lessons From the Tuscaloosa Teacher Sex Abuse Arrest
A Tuscaloosa sex abuse scandal is rocking the community. A Tuscaloosa County teacher has been arrested after being accused of having sexual relations with a student. AL.com is reporting that Tuscaloosa police arrested Joe Bradley Petrey Tuesday. According to Tuscaloosa County jail records, Petrey was arrested on the charge of...
Continue ReadingCullman County Drug Court Officer Faces Criminal Sex Charges and Civil Lawsuit
How do we prevent people in positions of authority from taking advantage of their power? Vigilance and deterrence help. An official of the Cullman County Courts faces criminal charges of first-degree sodomy, first-degree sexual assault, and three other sexual assault charges, according to court documents. A Cullman County grand jury...
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