Behavior of a victim during or following an assault oftentimes appears unexpected to outside observers. Rather than reacting in the way that many people would presume someone would, victims commonly exhibit superficial behavior that seems counterintuitive. This is especially true when someone is the victim of a sexual assault, the way they appear can...

July 6, 2014 Summary:  A recent child sexual abuse case in West Virginia may have larger implications; a jury – not a judge – can define ‘position of trust’ in child sexual abuse cases.  This legal precedent could serve to empower future juries in holding more abusers accountable. Few people reading this would question...

“ACEs” are adverse childhood experiences that harm developing children and have effects that show up throughout their lifetime. From many published research studies, we know ACEs are the root of much violence and being a victim of violence, and also the adult onset of chronic disease, depression and mental illness. Examples of ACES include:...

Summary:  A Placentia HS teacher was recently arrested on suspicion of having a sexual relationship with her former female student.  Earlier this week, Rebecca Diebolt was arrested on suspicion she had begun a sexual relationship in 2004 with her-then 15-year-old student and maintained the relationship with the girl until after she enrolled in college. ...

May 21, 2014 Summary:  The Maryland-based Covenant Life Church is embroiled in a child sexual abuse and cover-up scandal – a scandal that has forced senior leadership within the organization to resign; that’s the only good news in this scandal.  Yet, this scandal is a teachable moment for all of us to exhibit more...

[caption id="attachment_2223" align="alignleft" width="300"] Photo by iStock via The Rock 101.9[/caption] May 27, 2014 Summary: Teenage boys often fantasize about sleeping with their teacher.  If a teenage boy is successful in his endeavor, he might think of it as a dream come true.  As they grow up, that dream-come- true might come with future...

Summary:  Jeffrey Barton, the former Head of Schools at the Army/Navy Academy in Carlsbad arrested for child molestation, has now been brought up on additional charges of molestation from the boarding school.  In other news, the D.A.’s announcement comes right before her re-election bid in next week’s primary election. For those unaware of the...

MY CONVERSATION WITH AN IDIOT UNDERSCORES THE PROBLEM WITH CHILD PORNOGRAPHY [caption id="attachment_2227" align="alignleft" width="300"] U.S. Immigration and Customs Homeland Security Investigations apprehends one of 71 total suspects in Operation Caireen, one of the largest child porn stings ever.[/caption] May 30, 2014 Summary:  Last week, over 70 New Yorkers were caught collecting and trading...

May 8, 2014 Summary: In celebration of National Nurses Week, we would like to recognize all nurses for the pivotal role they play in our society; especially those special nurses who care for victims of sexual assault.  For brief historical context, National Nurses Week started as a concept developed in 1953 to establish a...

May 6, 2014 Summary: Join us today in celebrating Teachers Day.  The vast majority of the teachers in the U.S. are hard-working men and women who user their leadership and belief in education to develop today’s children into tomorrow’s leaders.  Today, we show our gratitude to those teachers. Today is Teachers Day, where teachers...