Gisèle Pelicot, the French woman who gained international recognition for publicly testifying at her mass-rape trial, has been awarded France’s highest honor. This recognition comes after she waived her right to anonymity during the high-profile trial concerning her husband’s decade-long abuse. Pelicot was named knight of the Legion of Honour, an award given to her and 588 others. The announcement was made in advance of France’s Bastille Day.
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The release of information about Jeffrey Epstein has sparked controversy, with Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez labeling Donald Trump a “rapist” on X. This came after Trump and his administration faced backlash for stating that a “client list” did not exist. Trump and his spokesperson responded with harsh critiques of Ocasio-Cortez. This controversy follows Elon Musk’s accusation of Trump’s appearance in the Epstein files, and Trump’s recent dismissal of questions about the matter.
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Devin Carroll, a 22-year-old pastor and former in-school suspension aide at Conway Middle School, has been arrested and charged with third-degree criminal sexual conduct. The charge stems from an alleged sexual assault reported at the school on May 29, where Carroll is accused of inappropriately touching a 13-year-old. Carroll resigned from his position at the school in January, effective June 7. He was released on a $30,000 bond.
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Oslo police have charged Marius Borg Høiby, the eldest son of Norway’s Crown Princess, with multiple counts including rape, sexual assault, and bodily harm following an extensive investigation involving a double-digit number of alleged victims. Evidence gathered from text messages, witness testimonies, and police searches led to the charges. Høiby, who has been cooperative throughout the investigation, denies any wrongdoing in most of the cases, particularly those related to sexual abuse and violence. Høiby, who lives separately from the royal family, remains free pending a potential trial and is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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A U.S. Marine has been sentenced to seven years in prison by a Japanese court for sexually assaulting a woman in Okinawa. The court found Lance Cpl Jamel Clayton guilty of attacking the victim, including choking her from behind and attempting sexual intercourse. This case adds to a pattern of sexual assault allegations against U.S. service members stationed in Okinawa, where a significant portion of U.S. forces in Japan are based. The sentencing comes amidst ongoing local opposition to U.S. bases, fueled by previous crimes committed by American personnel and concerns over noise and pollution.
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Zhenhao Zou, a 28-year-old PhD student, was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum of 24 years for drugging and raping 10 women in the UK and China between 2019 and 2024. The court heard that Zou, a prolific predator who filmed his crimes, targeted his victims using social media and dating websites. Police believe dozens more women may be victims and are urging them to come forward. Zou’s actions were described as highly manipulative and demonstrating a significant risk to the public.
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Harvey Weinstein’s retrial resulted in a conviction on one count of criminal sexual act, while the jury acquitted him on another and deadlocked on a rape charge. The six-week trial saw the prosecution argue Weinstein preyed on vulnerable women, while the defense portrayed him as a victim of the #MeToo movement. Testimony from three accusers detailed Weinstein’s alleged abuse of his power in the entertainment industry. This conviction adds to Weinstein’s existing lengthy prison sentence, likely ensuring he will spend the remainder of his life incarcerated.
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A Paris court found French actor Gérard Depardieu guilty of sexually assaulting two women on the set of the 2021 film *Les Volets Verts*, resulting in an 18-month suspended sentence and a substantial fine. Depardieu, who denied the allegations and plans to appeal, was also ordered to be registered in the national sex offender database. The victims, who worked behind the scenes, testified that Depardieu used vulgar language and physically assaulted them, highlighting a pattern of behavior enabled by his fame and influence within the French film industry. This verdict is considered a significant step forward for France’s #MeToo movement.
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Austin Wedington, a 27-year-old U.S. Marine, was indicted in Okinawa for allegedly raping and assaulting two women on a U.S. military base. Handed over to Japanese authorities under the Status of Forces Agreement, Wedington’s alleged actions involved choking one woman and assaulting her before injuring another who intervened. This indictment follows multiple similar cases in Okinawa, prompting Governor Denny Tamaki to demand stronger preventative measures from U.S. forces. The incident underscores ongoing concerns about the conduct of U.S. service members in Okinawa and precedes a planned forum to improve community relations.
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John Q. Hosedrinker