Jeffrey Epstein Case Back to Court

Jeffrey Epstein is a billionaire. He is also someone who preys on young girls by paying them for "massages" that turn sexual. Over the course of the last few years, Epstein has been in the news repeatedly for sexual assault. He has been found guilty of soliciting prostitution from underage girls and is currently serving a light sentence. Back in 2007, a woman came forward to say Epstein had had sex with her when she was just 16. The case was dismissed because of the statute of limitations. In 2008 a young woman said she was paid $200 to give the man a massage, but he ended up abusing her. As women kept coming forward, some as young as 13, Epstein was offered a plea deal and plead guilty to charges of soliciting prostitution from underage girls. He was sentenced to just 18 months in jail with one year of house arrest to follow. He will also be registered as a sex offender. Since his sentencing, even more girls have come forward. This year in June, three of the victims' lawyers have asked for Epstein's plea deal to get unsealed. They are calling it the "sweetheart deal" because of the leniency. For a man who is considered a billionaire and who brought most of these young women right into his home, do we really think he will not do this again once he is out of prison? Money equals power and keeps a lot of people from talking. He took advantage of these girls who saw dollar signs and easy cash. Most victims of sexual assault have reservations about coming forward with their story. What if you were a teenage girl who agreed to take money from an older man for a massage and then things went way to far? This is a scary situation for anyone, let alone a young girl who just a teenager.

http://www.wpbf.com/news/19719214/detail.html?taf=wpb

Queen Latifah Speaks Out

Dana Owens who is also known as Queen Latifah, a Cover Girl spokeswoman and a successful rapper and actress, has spoken out about her sexual abuse in Essence Magazine. She was assaulted as a child by a babysitter and discusses how it has affected her into her adulthood. She also talks about telling her family and and seeking therapy to deal with the issues that stem from abuse. To come forward and speak out about abuse takes courage, and to share that with millions of readers in a magazine is admirable. Even our role models and those in the public eye struggle with past demons. It may be helpful to others who are trying to cope with abuse to know that they are not alone in their struggle and that it's okay to talk about it.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31211058/from/ET/

Nine Year Investigation Shows Thousands Were Abused

Ireland is the stage for yet another story of abuse in the Catholic church. A report that is over 2,500 pages reveals physical and sexual abuse along with many other forms of mistreatment of children. Those children are now adults between the ages of 50-80 years old. These victims were orphans or were spending time in reform schools. They were forced to work, subjected to degrading acts, beaten and raped. The report also shows that known pedophiles were working in these institutions and were protected by the Catholic church. Investigations started after the victims pushed for it, but the report does not name the perpetrators. There have been some apologies from the government and church, and both have paid thousands of victims with money. Does naming the perpetrator, apologizing or paying off the victims really do much? How do you measure the emotional and psychological abuse these victims still suffer from? What determines that justice has been served? How does something like this happen for so long to so many people? These are all questions that haven't been answered and probably never will. As much as publishing this report has brought attention to this serious matter, the abusers have paid no price. By protecting the names of the abusers, the lack of accountability is like adding salt to the wound. It shows that there is support for the abuser instead of the victims which seems to be the worse crime of all.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090520/ap_on_re_eu/eu_ireland_catholic_abuse

New Law in Sacramento Should be Naitonwide

In Sacramento, victims of domestic violence now have an option when trying to leave their abuser. When women (and men) live in rental units, they are more likely to be abused. They are also concerned about the consequences of leaving those rental units, even when their safety depends on it. They don't want to be held financially responsible for breaking a lease and ruining any credit history they might have. A new law now allows victims to leave their residence, provided they give a written notice to their landlord, copy of the police report or restraining order, and pay 30 days of rent after the notice was given. They will not be held responsible for anything else if those requirements are met. It seems like this would be true anywhere. Isn't this the obvious way to handle such a situation? Why punish someone who is already paying a huge price? Why wouldn't this be a law in any city or state? By asking for the copy of the police report or restraining order, you can safeguard against those who would take advantage of this law and try to get out of paying rent. Those are the people who don't need the protection this law provides. Leaving an unhealthy and violent situation isn't always easy for the victim. This law makes the decision a little less challenging.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30632092/from/ET/

Tennessee Signs Young Man with a Past

Tennessee has signed Daniel Hood to their football program this fall. Daniel Hood made a terrible mistake when he was 13 years old. Now, 19, he doesn't hide the fact that he helped assault a girl who was raped. His role in this crime landed him in a rehabilitation center. Members of the community have all rallied around him and believe he deserves this opportunity. He has expressed his remorse and even has the support of the victim. Was he a victim himself being coerced into the situation by the older boy who was eventually convicted of the rape? It would be interesting to get more background on this story.

http://nbcsports.msnbc.com/id/30603971/

Afghan Women Protest New Law

Afghan women gathered in protest trying to convince Parliment to get rid of the new law that puts restrictions on their everyday life. Women would be required to submit to their husbands sexual desires at all times and to seek permission to go to school or have a job outside of the home. These regulations are reminiscent of the Taliban and strip the women of their rights. All these women want is to be treated with respect and enjoy the freedoms that women around the world enjoy. These women are met by angry groups of men who scream profanities and threaten the protesters.

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/16/world/asia/16afghan.html

Mother of Sandra Cantu's Playmate Arrested in Her Murder

On Friday, March 27, eight year old Sandra Cantu of Tracy, California was reported missing. The entire community was on alert and everyone seemed to be looking for "the creepy guy" who must've abducted little Sandra. Sandra Cantu's body was found in a suitcase dumped in an irrigation pond. Someone had killed her and disposed of her tiny body in a terrible way, just two miles from her home. When someone was arrested for her murder, everyone was shocked to find out it was a female. Not only was it a woman, but a 28 year old mother who taught Sunday school and lived just five doors down from the young girl. Melissa Huckaby has a 5 year old daughter who often played with the victim. She was formally charged on Tuesday, April 14 in the death of Sandra Cantu. To make things more heartbreaking, Huckaby is being charged with rape with a foreign object, lewd and lascivious conduct with a child, and murder in the course of a kidnapping. Police say they believe the woman acted alone. This case is so unique because less than 3% of murders have female to female ratio, and less that 7% involve sex. When females are the perpetrators of female victims, it is almost always with a male accomplice. While everyone was looking for "the creepy man, the monster" who did this, a disturbed young woman is believed to be responsible. Her only other criminal history is theft related, and that just adds to the mystery as to why she would've committed such a horrendous crime. How could a mother do this you wonder? How could anyone?

Thousands have attended a memorial for this young girl. The case has been closely followed for the last three weeks by the entire nation. Huckaby is facing the death penalty if convicted. Let's hope that this case is resolved, that Cantu's family receives some answers. They deserve justice.

Suspect In Girl's Slaying Heading To Court
The woman accused of killing 8-year-old Sandra Cantu will appear in court today for the first time.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30210572/from/ET/

http://www.sacbee.com/crime/story/1784086.html

http://www.sacbee.com/capitolandcalifornia/story/1784086.html