Two gymnasts have filed lawsuits against USA Gymnastics, the U.S. Center for SafeSport, and others, alleging the organizations failed to protect them from sexual abuse by coach Sean Gardner despite repeated complaints about his behavior. The lawsuits claim the organizations were notified of Gardner’s “inappropriate and abusive behaviors,” including hugging and kissing girls, but failed to properly investigate, revoke his coaching credentials, or report him to law enforcement. Gardner was later able to secure a coaching position at Chow’s Gymnastics and Dance Institute in Iowa, where the gymnasts say they and other young girls were abused, despite additional complaints. The lawsuits seek damages for the abuse and negligence in responding to reports of Gardner’s misconduct, including detailed accounts of his alleged “grooming behavior.”
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Alon Ohel, a recently released hostage, has come forward with accounts of sexual abuse during his captivity in Gaza, becoming the third former hostage to publicly reveal such treatment. The abuse, which began after Ohel was left alone, included manipulation of food rations and sexual harassment. His account, along with those of Guy Gilboa Dalal and Rom Braslavski, details graphic incidents of assault and humiliation endured during their captivity. These survivors’ testimonies underscore the severe brutality and psychological trauma inflicted upon the hostages.
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A Roman Catholic priest, Robert Sullivan, has been laicized after a woman accused him of providing financial support in exchange for companionship, including sex, starting when she was 17. The accuser, Heather Jones, filed a formal complaint, backed by financial and email records, alleging Sullivan paid her hundreds of thousands of dollars to remain silent. The bishop’s investigation found no misuse of church funds. Sullivan, who was in a high-ranking position within the diocese, had previously taken personal leave and subsequently requested to be relieved of his priestly obligations, which the Pope granted.
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Leeann Yammarino, a Prairieville resident, received a 26-year prison sentence on Tuesday for felony sex crimes. The 44-year-old had pleaded no contest to two counts of carnal knowledge of a juvenile and two counts of indecent behavior with a juvenile. The sentencing included 10 years for each carnal knowledge charge and three years for each indecent behavior charge. Yammarino was accused of having sex with a 14-year-old boy and “sexting” with multiple teenagers, and will be required to register as a sex offender for 15 years.
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President Donald Trump is seeking to overturn the jury’s verdict in a civil lawsuit where he was found liable for sexually abusing E. Jean Carroll and later defaming her. His legal team argues that the $5 million verdict was based on “indefensible evidentiary rulings,” allowing “inflammatory propensity evidence.” Trump’s lawyers claim the trial judge warped federal evidence rules to support Carroll’s claims, which they call a “politically motivated hoax.” The appeal to the Supreme Court follows a denial by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, who upheld the original verdict.
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Jesse Widick, a 45-year-old Nebraska man, has been sentenced to over a century in prison for sexually assaulting multiple girls over a two-decade period. The charges against Widick included first-degree sexual assault of a child, intentional child abuse, and witness tampering. The investigation began with a 15-year-old girl’s testimony detailing years of abuse, supported by evidence found during a home search and financial records. Further investigations revealed additional victims and instances of Widick providing alcohol and marijuana to a minor.
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Silas H. Shelton, an Ohio pastor known for his anti-LGBTQ+ stance and opposition to discussing sexuality in schools, was arrested on October 16th for alleged sexual assault of a minor. The charges include rape and sexual battery, with the victim reportedly being a girl from his congregation. Shelton, who has pleaded not guilty, previously criticized the availability of LGBTQ+ books at a school book fair, expressing concern about his daughter’s exposure to such materials and advocating against discussing sexuality in schools. His actions led to changes in the school’s book fair policies.
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UK’s Prince Andrew asked police to help smear sexual abuse accuser, newspaper says. Well, this latest development, as reported in the press, isn’t exactly a shocker, is it? It’s deeply troubling, but in a way that feels unfortunately predictable. It’s the kind of news that makes you shake your head and think, “Of course.” It just reinforces the feeling that those involved need to be held accountable for their actions.
This situation, frankly, makes one’s blood boil. It’s morally repugnant that individuals like this are seemingly allowed to evade justice, and that’s not just a UK issue. The level of power and influence some of these people wield is truly alarming, and it seems to be used to protect each other, forming a system that perpetuates wrongdoing.… Continue reading
The author recounts her experience working at Mar-a-Lago and how she was introduced to Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. Maxwell recruited her and introduced her to Epstein, leading to sexual abuse and exploitation. This exploitation escalated, involving other powerful men and multiple instances of trafficking. The author’s story reveals the extent of Epstein’s network, the complicity of those around him, and the lasting impact of the abuse.
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Former family doctor David B. Farley surrendered to authorities in Oregon and was arraigned on felony sexual abuse charges, stemming from accusations made by over 160 patients. A grand jury indicted Farley on nine counts of sexual abuse and related charges involving three patients over 11 years, including one minor. The 67-year-old pleaded not guilty and a trial date was set for December 6th. The charges against Farley come after years of investigation, including a previous instance where a grand jury declined to indict him in 2022.
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John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood