440 Years for Police Officer Convicted of 4 Rapes

In Bloomington, Illinois, Jeff Pelo, a former police sergeant was sentenced to 440 years in prison. Pelo was convicted on 35 counts, including sexual assault. He was convicted in June and sentenced earlier this month. His motion for a new trial was denied. Pelo had multiple victims, some of which were present for his sentencing. This is a man who abused his power and position as a police officer. How you can vow to uphold the law and set an example in society and then violate the very people you are supposed to protect is unspeakable. To read more on Jeff Pelo:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26164882/from/ET/

Convicted Child Molester Has Yet to Serve Any of 43 Year Prison Term

Aaron Mohanlal was a teacher in South Florida when he forced a young boy to have sex with him repeatedly over a two year period. He was convicted on 13 counts, sentenced to a 43 years prison term and has yet to serve a day in jail. Mohanlal was given a rare bond that allows him to remain free while his case is tried on appeal. "Everyone has a right to a first appeal" is the only thing Mohanlal's attorney will say in regards to the case. What about the victims right to justice? Or even the communitys? Who wants a convicted sex offender living and working in their neighborhood? A teacher is supposed to be an adult that is trusted by everyone, especially young people. He has proved that he is dangerous and someone to be wary of. Other students at the school even testified in the case against him. He wears a GPS monitoring system but was not even ordered to stay away from children. How is man who preys on children given so much freedom? To read more on this story:
http://www.cnn.com/2008/CRIME/07/23/sex.offender.teacher/index.html

Interview with Jennifer Baumgardner

Here is a condensed version of Abby Panozzo's interview with Jennifer Baumgardner. Jennifer Baumgardner's "I was Raped" campaign personalizes rape and discusses how it is a problem that affects all of us. It is an issue that not only affects the victim, but our entire community. It has this tremendous impact, and everyone has a responsibility to help "shatter the silence around sexual violence".
How can victims/survivors gain and exercise their agency, if they are not provided with opportunities to participate in documentaries or local campaigns? JB:"We have many opportunities to discuss rape-to confront it, believe it exists, signal that we are safe people to talk to, question a perpetrator-and I hope projects like this one suggest to people that they can begin to interrupt rape culture themselves..." Could you elaborate on the role this project could potentially have for sexual violence prevention and intervention organiztions, such as PAVE? JB:"I think that any time media attention or popular attention is drawn toward the issue of rape and sexual violence by anyone, particularly someone with a commitment and understanding of feminism, it can bring added energy, money, and attention to the important work that organizations like PAVE and RAINN are doing...the goal of the project is to personalize rape...make it about personal stories...it encourages people to come out about their rape and sexaul assault experiences and , I hope get support from or lend support to places like PAVE."

Repeat Sex Offender Charged with Kidnapping of Brooke Bennett

Michael Jacques is a twice convicted sex offender with a history going back over 30 years. His niece, Brooke Bennett went missing June 25 and her body was found a week later. He is now being charged with the 12 year old girls disappearance. He'd been released for his previous crimes and now Brooke Bennett is dead. On June 29 he was charged with sexual assault in yet another unrelated case. Why is it that he is even able to commit these crimes? These incidents could have been PREVENTED all together! This is a classic example of a repeat sex offender continuing their vicious cycle of assault. Our justice system needs to recognize that these individuals are likely to re-offend. We need to keep people like Michael Jacques behind bars. There needs to be stiffer penalties and closer monitoring of those that are able to be released from jail or prison. Brooke Bennett is a girl who should'nt have had to face this monster.
http://www.rutlandherald.com/ - newspaper in VT
> - scroll down past the
> readers poll, under special features and you will
> find the section on Brooke

Frustration in Sunnyvale

PAVE's Survivor Justice Campaign has been involved in a sexual assault case in Sunnyvale, Texas. Five teens at Sunnyvale Middle School are facing charges of indecency and aggravated sexual assault that took place around the school and during a gym class in the boys locker room. After an adult walked in on one of the assaults, minor punishment was given and the incident was pushed aside. Rumors of the incident, and others like it began to raise concern and bring attention to what was happening at the school. When parents and other members of the community spoke with school official and the police, the incidents were brushed off as bullying. They were not willing to open an investigation. The residents of Sunnyvale did not feel that enough was being done. They felt that the principal Diana Freeman and other faculty members were covering it up. PAVE put pressure on the sheriff, school and superintendent by writing letters demanding an investigation. An outside investigator, Harry Jones, was hired to look into the matter. The information was disturbing. Over the course of last school year, multiple students were assaulted. Not only that, but young girls at the school are regularly harassed in the hallways. The victims of these assaults are still forced to attend class with the students who assaulted them because most haven't faced any consequences for their actions. It seems that this behavior is excused and tolerated in this middle school environment. Schools are supposed to be a safe place for children to learn. The victims in this case are being violated all over again by school officials unwilling to speak up about what is really happening at Sunnyvale Middle School. The community is still unhappy with the school's actions.
If you would like to help with this campaign, please send letters to the following:
Superintendent Doug Williams at: williams@ednet10.net
and/or:
Sunnyvale Middle School
216 Collins Road
Sunnyvale, TX 75182

We just ask that the students who were involved to no longer be attending school with those who were harassed and assaulted!

Supreme Court Rejects Death Penalty for Raping Children

On Wednesday, June 25, the Supreme Court outlawed the death penaltly for those convicted of raping a child. Whether or not you believe in the death penalty itself, you can't argue that those convicted of this crime should not be punished severly. Although the death penalty is a touchy subject that is argued by both sides of the spectrum, what is worse than raping a child? It is argued that "a life was not taken", so punishment by death would be cruel and unusual punishment. I wonder if the victim or their families feel that "a life was not taken". When someone is raped or sexually assaulted at ANY age, it is a life altering experience that some people do not come away from in a positive way. Victims of sexal assault will live with their trauma for the rest of their lives. Perpetrators oftentimes sit in a jail cell for a designated time, and then return to society. When they are sentenced to life in prison, at least they will have to endure their punishment until their days on this earth are done. Death, some will say is more fitting, but either way the perpetrators will not lead a "normal" life. Sitting in a jail cell and living with what you have done is sometimes worse than being put out of your misery by a death sentence. Every circumstance is different...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25367455/from/ET/

Some Justice Was Served

The woman who endured 19 hours of rape and torture by an ex convict received some justice this week. Robert Williams was found guilty of over 40 counts that included rape and attempted murder. He will be sentenced on July 24 and could be facing life in prison. Due to the nature of this attack, and his complete lack of concern, no punishment seems to be severe enough.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/25357421/from/ET/