Referee says he told Rep. Jim Jordan that Ohio State doctor performed sex act in shower

The referee said the response of Jordan and another former coach was, "Yeah, yeah, we know."

“Yeah, that’s Strauss,” Jordan and then Ohio State University head coach Russ Hellickson replied, according to the lawsuit, when the referee, identified in court papers as John Doe 42, told them about the incident. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Ohio, implies that Jordan's response to the incident, which the referee said happened in 1994, was essentially a shrug.

John Doe 42 is the second person to say he told Jordan directly about either being approached or molested by Strauss, who was found by independent investigators to have sexually abused 177 male students over two decades. read more »

Calling Out Sexual Abuse in the Jehovah's Witnesses Is a Horrific Struggle

New York's Child Victims Act could theoretically invite a flood of lawsuits against the religious group, but fear and a lack of evidence loom.

The new law could open up a floodgate of lawsuits against the Witnesses and their leadership. But because of what critics have described as the Witnesses' unique penchant for burying allegations of sexual misconduct, and their insular culture, many survivors may decline to pursue justice.

While there has been much focus on sexual abuse within the Catholic Church in recent years, and that institution's cover-ups, there hasn’t been as much attention given to the Jehovah’s Witnesses. read more »

Governor signs NC sexual assault reforms into law

Gov. Roy Cooper signed legislation Thursday that reforms North Carolina’s sexual assault laws, extends the statute of limitations for civil suits against perpetrators of child abuse and includes a number of other safety protections for children.

A major part of the legislation increases the statute of limitations for civil actions by child abuse victims against their perpetrators from age 21 to age 28. Several states have already increased their statutes of limitations in this regard, a move that elsewhere has been opposed by Boy Scouts of America and the Catholic Church. read more »

Alphabet Board Investigates Sexual Misconduct Accusations

To defend against shareholder lawsuits over its handling of sexual harassment, Alphabet, the parent of Google, has hired a law firm and is investigating allegations involving executives.

In a statement, Alphabet confirmed that its board had formed a committee “to consider claims made by shareholders in various lawsuits relating to past workplace conduct.” It did not elaborate further. read more »

Former Patient of UCLA Gynecologist Speaks Publicly About Sexual Abuse Allegations

A former patient of Dr. James Heaps, the longtime UCLA gynecologist who has been accused by more than 50 women of sexual assault, spoke publicly for the first time today. Heaps is currently facing criminal charges related to just two of those accusations.

The woman, whose name is Julie, is part of a group of 40 former patients who have filed lawsuits against the doctor, accusing him of sexual assault and battery. read more »

School district to pay $9M to sex assault victims

An eastern Montana school district has reached a $9 million settlement after 32 men sued, saying they were sexually abused by an athletic trainer under the guise of improving their athletic ability, the school and the plaintiffs announced Wednesday.

The lawsuit filed in September 2018 accused the Custer County School District in Miles City of not doing enough to protect the student-athletes from James “Doc” Jensen, who was a trainer from the 1970s to the late 1990s.

The men said Jensen promised to enhance their strength and testosterone levels through participation in “The Program,” in which he performed nude massages and sexual acts on the boys. The deception was aided by the team winning five state football championships in 16 years, the lawsuit said. read more »