Posts Tagged ‘Sexual Battery’
Army Sexual Assault Prevention Officer under Investigation for Sexual Misconduct
May 15th, 2013
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Fort Hood, TX-The American military is facing a second sexual assault scandal in just a mere week, indicating that past efforts to combat assault and harassment have been ineffectual. Yesterday, the Army announced that an unidentified sergeant first-class assigned to the sexual assault prevention program at Ft. Hood in Texas.
According to CNN, the soldier is under investigation for “pandering, abusive sexual contact, assault and maltreatment of subordinates.” An administrative official told CNN that they are investigating the “distinct possibility” that some “prostitution-related activity” was involved.
So far no charges have been filed against the soldier but he has been suspended from duty. Investigators for the U.S. Army Criminal Investigation Command have not determined the scope of the prostitution claims or whether any there has been any criminal misconduct, CNN reported.
The soldier had already been assigned the Sexual Harassment/ Assault Response and Prevention program when the allegations surfaced.
This revelation came just one week after a high-ranking officer in charge of the Air Force’s sexual harassment and assault prevention program was arrested for sexually assaulting a woman in the parking lot of a Virginia bar.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski was arrested and charged with sexual battery following the incident.
Krusinski’s arrest and this new report angered Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel who met with Army Secretary John McHugh and ordered him, “to fully investigate this matter rapidly, to discover the extent of these allegations and to ensure all those who might be involved are dealt with appropriately,” Pentagon press secretary, George Little, told the Associated Press.
Hagel also instructed all branches of the military to retrain and rescreen all sexual assault prevention and response personnel.
“I cannot convey strongly enough his frustration, anger and disappointment over these troubling allegations and the breakdown in discipline and standards they imply,” George Little said.
The sexual harassment and assault problem within the military is not a new problem, but it has reached fevered pitch over the past couple of weeks.
In addition to the arrest of Krusinski and the Army investigation, an anonymous survey conducted by the military estimated that 26,000 military members were sexually assaulted in 2012. However the military as whole only received 3,400 official complaints of assault and harassment, indicating that past efforts to halt sexual misconduct in the military are failing. Out of the complaints, 800 of the victims sought help, but refused to file a formal charge against their attacker.
Congress is also beginning to take notice of the military’s sexual assault problem.
“This is sickening. Twice now, in a matter of as many weeks, we’ve seen the very people charged with protecting victims of sexual assault being charged as perpetrators,” Sen. Patty Murray, (D-WA), said. “It’s an astonishing reminder that the Pentagon has both a major problem on its hands and a tremendous amount of work to do to assure victims – who already only report a small fraction of sexual assaults – that they are changing the culture around these heinous crimes.”
Lawmakers such as Senators Kristin Gillibrand (D-NY) and Carl Levin (D-MI) are working on legislation to fight this rampant problem in the military.
Air Force Officer In Charge of Sexual Assault Prevention Arrested for Sexual Battery
May 7th, 2013
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Arlington, VA- The U.S. military’s sexual assault and harassment problem just got a little worse as the Air Force Officer in charge of sexual assault prevention has been arrested after grabbing the private parts of a woman in the parking lot of a Arlington bar over the weekend.
According to the Arlington Police report, “a drunken man approached a female victim in a parking lot and grabbed her breasts and buttocks.”
The report also said, “The victim fought off the suspect as he attempted to touch her again and alerted police.
Lt. Col. Jeffrey Krusinski was arrested and charged with sexual battery following the incident.
This is a shocking arrest since Lt. Col. Krusinksi is the chief of the Air Force Sexual Assault Prevention and Response program.
Air Force spokeswoman Ann Stefanek told ABC News “[Krusinski] was responsible for writing plans and programs that supported victims of sexual assault,” the statement read. “He worked on prevention programs for sexual assault.”
Stefanek confirmed that Krusinski has been removed from his position pending an investigation.
This is yet another scandal plaguing the Air Force and the military as whole, prompting legislators to introduce bills that would help prevent sexual harassment and assault.
A new survey from the Pentagon released today showed that sexual assaults in the military increased from 3,192 in 2011 to 3,374 in 2012, representing a 6 percent increase. However the Pentagon estimates that roughly 26,000 military members were sexually assaulted according to an anonymous survey.
One in three women in the military will be assaulted, in contrast only one in six civilian women will be victims of a sexual assault.
The military defines sexual assault as behaviors that range from harassment, inappropriate touching and rape.
A scandal involving officers at a Lackland Air Force base helped bring to light the ongoing problem the military has with sexual harassment and assault.
In the Lackland incident, at least 31 women came forward and accused close to a dozen boot camp instructors of sexual assault and harassment. One of the instructors allegedly raped and assault at least 10 women.
In the wake of the Lackland scandal and alarming statistics showing the prevalence of sexual assault in the military, former Defense Secretary Leon Panetta appointed a two-star General to oversee the military’s sexual assault training and reporting policies. Lt. Col. Krusinski was one of the officials tasked with developing policies to protect victims.
Protect Our Defenders, a group that advocates for military members told ABC news that Krusinski’s arrest highlights the “long standing and pervasive” problem of sexual assault in the military.
“If these allegations are true, this is one more example on a long list of how fundamentally broken the military justice system and culture are. The idea that the head of the Air Force’s Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Office (SAPRO) could be arrested for sexual assault indicates the depth of the problem. It’s outrageous,” the group said in a statement, according to ABC News.
Sexual Harassment and Abuse Lawsuits against Nashville’s Mt. Zion Church Dropped
December 11th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Nashville, TN- Two lawsuits filed against Mt. Zion Baptist Church in Nashville alleging sexual abuse and harassment have been dropped, allowing the church to put the allegations behind them.
In March of this year, a former member of the 20,000 strong congregation, Valencia Batson, accused church leaders of sexual exploitation, harassment and battery. Batson filed a lawsuit which was soon followed by another lawsuit filed by Corey Corbin with similar allegations.
Batson was joined by three other plaintiffs, who wished to remain anonymous and was suing church leaders including Bishop Joseph Walker III for $5 million. The lawsuit claimed that Walker and other church leaders took part in sexual exploitation in counseling, sexual battery and harassment and false imprisonment.
In March, Batson told Nashville’s News Channel 5, “I believe that it was time for me to say something.”
“I felt like I was dead. A walking person that had no life that was spiritually bound. My soul was in turmoil,” Batson said, “Its wrong. It’s not the right thing to be happening—especially in a place like the church.”
Mt. Zion responded to Batson’s lawsuit, insinuating the motive behind the suit was money. In a statement the church said, “The only thing this action demonstrates is that anyone can sue, sometimes anonymously, no matter how ridiculous the claims or how sensational the charges. It is truly sad that a church and its leaders can be attacked with shocking and ugly charges when the apparent motive is to extract large sums of money from the congregation and its leaders. It appears this action is not a quest for truth or justice, but instead solely for money,” Channel 5 news reported.
Batson, however disputed the church’s claim, saying, “It’s not about the money. It’s about the next woman or the woman who is in it now or the woman who can’t move on with her life.”
Shortly after Batson and her co-plaintiffs filed their suit, another church member came forward with similar allegations. Corey Corbin said that after he and his now ex-wife went to Bishop Walker for marriage counseling, the Bishop began having an affair with Corbin’s wife which eventually ruined their marriage.
When speaking to the press Batson could not provide any specifics about the abuse she suffered, instead she insisted that the truth would come out in court. Many of the accusations against church leaders are potential crimes, but Batson never went to the police she said for fear of her safety, though she received not specific threats.
Corbin dropped his suit in November, and this past Sunday Bishop Walker announced that Batson had also dropped her suit without a financial settlement. But Batson’s attorney Connie Allison said he case was not over and plans to amend the lawsuit and possibly submit it to a federal court.
Sexual harassment is common when one person has power over another and spiritual leaders are not immune from abusing their power to gain sexual favors. Though leaders at Mt. Zion may not be guilty of the accusations leveled against them, sexual harassment and abuse in churches is not unusual.
When a person has been subjected to sexual abuse or harassment, they are tasked with proving the allegations. Harassment is often a situation where it is one person’s word against another. Presenting a successful civil suit requires legal expertise. Witness corroboration can help bolster a case.
When an attorney can prove allegations of a sexually hostile environment, the abuse victims are eligible to receive compensation for their emotional duress.
Santa Ana Councilman Accused of Sexual Abuse
July 6th, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
SANTA ANA – A Santa Ana councilman has been accused of sexual harassment.
A former county administrator has filed a claim alleging that at least seven women on government property were sexually harassed over a period of eight years.
Carlos Bustamante, the Santa Ana councilman and a former administrator in the Public Works Department, was charged with 12 felonies, including stalking, attempted sexual battery by restraint and six counts of false imprisonment.
Board of Supervisors Chairman John Moorlach has planned on terminating Tom Mauk and appointing an interim county executive officer while the allegations are investigated.
“We just need some time for the five of us to discuss personnel matters,” said Moorlach.
According to prosecutors, Bustamante used his position of power in the Public Works Department to sexually harass the victims. He has been accused of luring women into his office under the pretense of discussing work-related matters, and then groping them, kissing them, or engaging in other sexually abusive behavior.
Prosecutors said they will continue the investigation to uncover if anyone in the county government was aware of the sexual harassment.
“We will be talking to everyone who will be able to shed light on these questions,” said Dist. Atty. Tony Rackauckas.
Sexual harassment can be anything from a general lewd comment to an overt physical attack. Regardless of what the incident entails, all sexual harassment acts violate a person’s rights. If you or someone you know has been subjected to sexual abuse, turn to a leading sexual harassment lawyer to ensure the behavior stops immediately.
Sexual harassment attorneys do whatever it takes to ensure the perpetrator is held liable for their actions. They will also make sure you obtain compensation for your pain and suffering. Schedule a consultation with a sexual harassment lawyer today.
Louisiana State Fan Files Sexual Harassment Lawsuit after Video of Incident Goes Viral
May 23rd, 2012
Posted in Sexual Harassment News
Baton Rouge, LA- A LSU fan has enlisted the help of a sexual harassment attorney to file a lawsuit after he became the subject of YouTube video that went viral.
The harassment incident took place after LSU lost the National Championship. The alleged victim, Garrison Stamp, was passed out in Krystal fast-food restaurant on Bourbon Street when Brian Downing, an Alabama fan, began harassing him on video.
In the video, Downing can be seen, mocking a sex act with his genitalia hanging out of his pants while Stamp was passed out leaning across a table. Downing also rubbed his private parts on Stamp’s neck.
Downing was arrested in Alabama for sexual battery and obscenity.
Orleans Parrish district Attorney Leon Cannizzaro plans to treat the incident as a sex crime and stated it goes beyond a drunken prank.
Stamp is also suing the Krystal restaurant, stating that the employees knew what was happening and did nothing to stop the harassment.
Stamp’s Louisiana sexual harassment lawyer is seeking damages for mental anguish, humiliation, embarrassment, anxiety and depression, and damage to reputation. Stamp also wants to be compensated for lost tuition payments because he had to withdraw from school after the incident.
Sexual harassment, although it happens in public places, is more common issue in workplace. This behavior creates a hostile environment that affects not only the target of the sexual abuse but also the other employees.
In addition to the mental anguish the harassment victims are forced to endure they also frequently face retaliation. These harassment victims take legal action of their complaints are ignored by having a Louisiana sexual harassment attorney to file a lawsuit.
