Dominique Pelicot, a 72-year-old man, received the maximum 20-year sentence for the horrific rape of his unconscious wife, Gisèle Pelicot. This case, which unfolded in France over nearly three months, shocked the world and brought widespread attention to the scale of the crime and the resilience of the victim. The trial involved a staggering 50 co-defendants, all but one facing rape charges, highlighting the extensive network of individuals involved in the abuse.
Pelicot’s actions involved a calculated and prolonged pattern of abuse. He admitted to spiking his wife’s food and drink with sedatives to render her unconscious before raping her. He then, disturbingly, recruited at least 50 other men through an online forum, inviting them to his home in Provence to participate in the abuse.… Continue reading
Dominique Pelicot received a 20-year prison sentence—the maximum under French law—for the decade-long drugging and rape of his wife, Gisèle Pelicot, and facilitating the participation of 50 other men. All but one of the 51 defendants were found guilty of rape or aggravated sexual assault, with sentences ranging from three to fifteen years. The case, which involved extensive video evidence, sparked a national conversation in France about rape culture and the need for stronger legal protections. Gisèle Pelicot’s bravery and testimony have made her a symbol for victims of sexual violence.
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Brennon Washington, a 25-year-old US Air Force member, received a five-year prison sentence in Naha District Court for kidnapping and raping a 16-year-old girl in Okinawa. The judge cited the girl’s credible testimony and the significant age and power imbalance as factors in the “major sexual infringement.” Washington was handed over to Japanese authorities by the US military following his indictment in March. This incident, the latest in a series of crimes involving US personnel in Okinawa, has reignited long-standing tensions between local residents and the US military presence on the island.
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Three brothers, prominent real estate brokers Tal, Oren, and Alon Alexander, were arrested and federally charged with a sex trafficking scheme spanning from 2011 to 2021. The indictment alleges the brothers, along with others, lured women with promises of luxury experiences, then drugged and repeatedly sexually assaulted them in New York, Miami, and other locations. The scheme involved using social media and party promoters to target victims, and the brothers allegedly used their wealth and influence to facilitate the assaults. If convicted, each brother faces a sentence of 15 years to life in prison.
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A 19-year-old Yazidi woman, who fled Iraq to escape ISIS, alleges she was sexually assaulted by Hadji Hesso, the executive director of the Yazidi Association of Manitoba. Hesso, who has close ties to government officials and has publicly advocated for Yazidi refugees, is accused of repeatedly assaulting the woman and subsequently threatening her. Despite the allegations and the Manitoba government dissolving his organization for non-compliance, the Yazidi Association of Manitoba continues to operate. Hesso denies the charges.
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A federal lawsuit, initially filed in October and amended Sunday, accuses Jay-Z and Sean “Diddy” Combs of raping a 13-year-old girl at an MTV Video Music Awards after-party in 2000. The anonymous plaintiff alleges the assault occurred after being invited to a party by a driver who claimed to work for Combs. Jay-Z vehemently denies the accusations, calling them “idiotic” and suggesting the plaintiff file a criminal complaint. Combs’ legal team similarly dismisses the suit as a publicity stunt, while the plaintiff seeks unspecified damages under New York’s Victims of Gender-Motivated Violence Protection Act.
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Pete Hegseth, President-elect Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Defense, faced scrutiny over a college newspaper column published during his tenure as publisher of *The Princeton Tory*. The column, authored by another student, John Andrews, argued that unconsciousness, without duress, did not constitute rape. While Hegseth did not write the article, his role as publisher implies responsibility for the magazine’s content. The incident resurfaced amidst other past controversies, including allegations of sexual assault and his outspoken conservative views expressed in the magazine. The current publisher of *The Princeton Tory* stated that the responsibilities of the publisher role varied over time.
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In a trial highlighting the prevalence of sexual violence, Dominique Pelicot faces a requested 20-year sentence for orchestrating the repeated rape of his wife, Gisele, over nearly a decade. The prosecution deemed this the maximum sentence, despite acknowledging its insufficiency given the severity and duration of the crimes. Fifty co-defendants, largely claiming ignorance or manipulation, also await sentencing. Gisele Pelicot’s public testimony, contrasting with the graphic video evidence presented, aims to empower other victims to come forward.
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The GOP’s focus on transgender women using women’s restrooms, while simultaneously ignoring or even supporting men accused of sexual misconduct, reveals a glaring hypocrisy. This isn’t simply a difference of opinion; it’s a calculated strategy of distraction and fear-mongering. The party readily embraces figures who have faced credible accusations of sexual assault, even those who have publicly boasted about their actions. This blatant disregard for the safety and well-being of women starkly contrasts with their intense focus on the perceived threat posed by transgender women.
This discrepancy highlights a deeper issue: the selective application of morality within the GOP. It’s a deliberate choice to prioritize political power and partisan gain over ethical consistency.… Continue reading
Following a public argument at their hotel, Hegseth, allegedly intoxicated, engaged in non-consensual sexual activity with Doe, who reported memory loss and subsequent trauma. Doe recounted Hegseth preventing her exit from a room and subsequently assaulting her, after which she had no recollection of returning to her own room. Doe’s later reports included suffering from nightmares and unexplained crying fits, indicating significant emotional distress following the incident.
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Matt Underwood 
John Q. Hosedrinker