Showing posts with label sexual abuse. Show all posts
Showing posts with label sexual abuse. Show all posts
Friday, September 12, 2008
Bronx man indicted in sexual abuse against child
A Bronx man has been indicted in Sullivan County on charges he sexually abused a child for months. Hector Cerna, 19, faces charges of first-degree sexual conduct against a child and first-degree sexual abuse and endangering the welfare of a child. The victim was under the age of 11 and the abuse started around November 2006 and continued until March 2007, court papers said.
Wednesday, August 27, 2008
Project Walk Across Oregon – Eliminate Oregon’s Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse
Project Walk Across Oregon – Eliminate Oregon’s Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse
Month-long Walk Event to Raise Awareness and Funds for Wintre’s Wishes Foundation and Goals to Eliminate Child Sexual Abuse in Oregon
PORTLAND, Oregon -- Join or support Project Walk Across Oregon, beginning Monday, September 1 in Ashland and ending Sunday, September 28 in Portland. Project Walk Across Oregon is raising awareness and support to eliminate Oregon’s statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. Detailed itinerary schedule is listed on Wintre’s Wishes Foundation website.
Presently, Oregon is 1 of 34 states in the nation that sets statutes of limitations on sexual abuse crimes. That means unprosecuted perpetrators are allowed to continue their abuse to a mostly young and silent group of victims – children without legal recourse. Project Walk Across Oregon is part of an effort to pass a bill in the 2009 Oregon Legislature that will eliminate the statue of limitations for criminal prosecution of sexual abuse.
"The Project Walk Across Oregon is one way Wintre’s Wishes Foundation is raising awareness about a dark, silent epidemic," said Matthew Nees, co-founder of Wintre’s Wishes Foundation. "Our goal is to bring individuals and families together to break down the stigmas associated with sex abuse and to leverage a platform where our voice stands against perpetrators and offenders. Wintre’s(cq) Wishes Foundation is dedicated to SUPPORT, PREVENTION and ADVOCACY for survivors and their supporters. We want the Oregon public to know there are people and organizations in their community working together to make Oregon safer for children and put an end to this heinous crime."
Wintre’s (cq) Wishes Foundation, an Oregon organization dedicated to raising awareness and support survivors of sexual abuse, and NAPSAC (National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children) are sponsors of the walk. Donations are accepted and supporters are welcome to join the walk at any point along the way.
For more information, contact:
Matthew NeesCo-founder, Wintre’s Wishes Foundation (http://www.wintreswishes.org/)6107 SW Murray Blvd, #406Beaverton, OR 97008503.780.1965mattn@wintreswishes.org
BACKGROUND:
Child sex abuse is a crime that usually stays hidden until the victim is old enough or strong enough to speak out about it. Approximately 95% of victims of child abuse are 18 years old and younger; 51% of them are under 12 years of age. The mean age for reported sex abuse crimes is 9 years old. At least 90% of reported crimes are by someone close to the family, and yet 88% of sex abuse crimes still go unreported. Because of the nature of these crimes, victims often don’t come forward with information about them until they are adults. By the time they are reported, if a state has a statute of limitations for the crime, such as Oregon, there is no recourse for the victim.
The effects of child sex abuse do not stop when the actual abuse ends. The repercussions are often life long and debilitating. Consequences of child sex abuse on the survivor manifest in health and behavior problems. Victims experience PTSD, school and learning problems. They may develop more anxiety disorders and are more likely to develop depressive disorders as adults. It is often difficult to make the transition to adulthood. Many seek out self-medication or inappropriate sexual behaviors. They may become abusers themselves, and commit other crimes, as well.
Child sex abuse advocates note that murder has no statute of limitations and believe that child sex abuse is equally heinous and should not be restricted by a statute of limitations. It is to this end that Project Walk Across Oregon and Wintre’s(cq) Wishes Foundation is dedicating its efforts to pass a law in Oregon that would eliminate all statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes.
About Wintre’s Wishes Foundation (http://www.wintreswishes.org/):
The Wintre’s Wishes Foundation is an organization developed to raise awareness[and eyebrows] of child sexual abuse in Oregon. Wintre’s Wishes Foundation is dedicated to SUPPORT, PREVENTION and ADVOCACY for survivors and their supporters. Our goal is to bring individuals and families together to break down the stigmas associated with sex abuse and to leverage a platform where our voice stands against perpetrators and offenders. All money raised through this foundation goes to support survivors and prevention of further sex abuse.
Through the Wintre's Wishes Foundation, we seek to:
Educate adults on the techniques used by sex offenders to identify and groom children, and techniques they use to avoid getting caught and prosecuted.
Make a difference for Oregon's children by eliminating the statute of limitations on reporting and prosecuting sex offenders.
Work with other victim's rights groups to ensure victim's and families of victims voices will be heard in our courtrooms.
Raise money to help cover some of the therapy costs for survivors who do not have the resources.
Contact:b
Matt Nees, Wintre’s Wishes Foundation, www.wintreswishes.org mattn@wintreswishes.org, 503.780.1965
Month-long Walk Event to Raise Awareness and Funds for Wintre’s Wishes Foundation and Goals to Eliminate Child Sexual Abuse in Oregon
PORTLAND, Oregon -- Join or support Project Walk Across Oregon, beginning Monday, September 1 in Ashland and ending Sunday, September 28 in Portland. Project Walk Across Oregon is raising awareness and support to eliminate Oregon’s statute of limitations on child sexual abuse. Detailed itinerary schedule is listed on Wintre’s Wishes Foundation website.
Presently, Oregon is 1 of 34 states in the nation that sets statutes of limitations on sexual abuse crimes. That means unprosecuted perpetrators are allowed to continue their abuse to a mostly young and silent group of victims – children without legal recourse. Project Walk Across Oregon is part of an effort to pass a bill in the 2009 Oregon Legislature that will eliminate the statue of limitations for criminal prosecution of sexual abuse.
"The Project Walk Across Oregon is one way Wintre’s Wishes Foundation is raising awareness about a dark, silent epidemic," said Matthew Nees, co-founder of Wintre’s Wishes Foundation. "Our goal is to bring individuals and families together to break down the stigmas associated with sex abuse and to leverage a platform where our voice stands against perpetrators and offenders. Wintre’s(cq) Wishes Foundation is dedicated to SUPPORT, PREVENTION and ADVOCACY for survivors and their supporters. We want the Oregon public to know there are people and organizations in their community working together to make Oregon safer for children and put an end to this heinous crime."
Wintre’s (cq) Wishes Foundation, an Oregon organization dedicated to raising awareness and support survivors of sexual abuse, and NAPSAC (National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children) are sponsors of the walk. Donations are accepted and supporters are welcome to join the walk at any point along the way.
For more information, contact:
Matthew NeesCo-founder, Wintre’s Wishes Foundation (http://www.wintreswishes.org/)6107 SW Murray Blvd, #406Beaverton, OR 97008503.780.1965mattn@wintreswishes.org
BACKGROUND:
Child sex abuse is a crime that usually stays hidden until the victim is old enough or strong enough to speak out about it. Approximately 95% of victims of child abuse are 18 years old and younger; 51% of them are under 12 years of age. The mean age for reported sex abuse crimes is 9 years old. At least 90% of reported crimes are by someone close to the family, and yet 88% of sex abuse crimes still go unreported. Because of the nature of these crimes, victims often don’t come forward with information about them until they are adults. By the time they are reported, if a state has a statute of limitations for the crime, such as Oregon, there is no recourse for the victim.
The effects of child sex abuse do not stop when the actual abuse ends. The repercussions are often life long and debilitating. Consequences of child sex abuse on the survivor manifest in health and behavior problems. Victims experience PTSD, school and learning problems. They may develop more anxiety disorders and are more likely to develop depressive disorders as adults. It is often difficult to make the transition to adulthood. Many seek out self-medication or inappropriate sexual behaviors. They may become abusers themselves, and commit other crimes, as well.
Child sex abuse advocates note that murder has no statute of limitations and believe that child sex abuse is equally heinous and should not be restricted by a statute of limitations. It is to this end that Project Walk Across Oregon and Wintre’s(cq) Wishes Foundation is dedicating its efforts to pass a law in Oregon that would eliminate all statute of limitations for sexual abuse crimes.
About Wintre’s Wishes Foundation (http://www.wintreswishes.org/):
The Wintre’s Wishes Foundation is an organization developed to raise awareness[and eyebrows] of child sexual abuse in Oregon. Wintre’s Wishes Foundation is dedicated to SUPPORT, PREVENTION and ADVOCACY for survivors and their supporters. Our goal is to bring individuals and families together to break down the stigmas associated with sex abuse and to leverage a platform where our voice stands against perpetrators and offenders. All money raised through this foundation goes to support survivors and prevention of further sex abuse.
Through the Wintre's Wishes Foundation, we seek to:
Educate adults on the techniques used by sex offenders to identify and groom children, and techniques they use to avoid getting caught and prosecuted.
Make a difference for Oregon's children by eliminating the statute of limitations on reporting and prosecuting sex offenders.
Work with other victim's rights groups to ensure victim's and families of victims voices will be heard in our courtrooms.
Raise money to help cover some of the therapy costs for survivors who do not have the resources.
Contact:b
Matt Nees, Wintre’s Wishes Foundation, www.wintreswishes.org mattn@wintreswishes.org, 503.780.1965
Friday, August 22, 2008
Texas man gets life sentence in swinger sex case
TYLER, Texas (AP) -- An auto body shop worker was convicted and swiftly sentenced to life in prison Thursday for grooming children as young as 5 to perform in sex shows at a small-town swingers club.
Defense attorneys say Patrick Kelly had nothing to do with the Mineola Sex Club case.
Defense attorneys say Patrick Kelly had nothing to do with the Mineola Sex Club case.
Patrick "Booger Red" Kelly showed no emotion after the verdict. Jurors deliberated about two hours before finding him guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity. They took just 15 minutes to sentence him to prison for life. Defense attorneys had sought a suspended sentence of less than 10 years so Kelly could be placed on probation.
Prosecutors said Kelly was a member of the so-called Mineola Swinger's Club, though Kelly has maintained his innocence. They contended Kelly helped set up a "kindergarten" where children learned to dance provocatively. To help perform at the club, prosecutors say the children were given Vicodin-like drugs the adults passed off as "silly pills."
"As we stand here, I still absolutely believe that my client is innocent," Kelly's defense attorney, Thad Davidson, said outside the courtroom after the trial.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Joe Murphy accused Kelly of having sexual contact with five children tied to the case who, he said, showed signs of sexual abuse.
"Why is it that every child that comes into contact with him is broken?" Murphy asked.
Davidson questioned why the children didn't remember details about the club and why they weren't examined by medical personnel trained to detect sexual abuse.
Davidson contended the lead investigator had little experience handling sex crimes, said he didn't conduct a thorough investigation and accused him of being improperly influenced by the foster mother of three of the children, Margie Cantrell, who brought the original complaint.
"So you got these incredible suggestive, tainted ... interviews. And who takes over the interviews? The woman who has custody of the three children," Davidson said.
Kelly, 41, testified during the trial that he has no knowledge of "silly pills" and never made children do any kind of sexual dancing or touched them inappropriately. He said he has never even been to the Mineola Swinger's Club.
Other witnesses called by Kelly's attorneys have said that while swinger parties took place in the building, children were never present.
"I thought things would go the justice way, but justice is fickle I guess," Kelly's mother, Linda Kelly, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I honestly don't know why it went the way it did. This is the first time I've heard all this stuff that the D.A. is putting out -- that is not my child."
Cantrell sparked the investigation by the Texas Rangers when she reported that her foster children told her of having being forced into sex some 18 months earlier inside the windowless rooms of the former day care center.
Two other alleged participants, Jamie Pittman and Shauntel Mayo, already were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Three other defendants are awaiting trial.
Defense attorneys say Patrick Kelly had nothing to do with the Mineola Sex Club case.
Defense attorneys say Patrick Kelly had nothing to do with the Mineola Sex Club case.
Patrick "Booger Red" Kelly showed no emotion after the verdict. Jurors deliberated about two hours before finding him guilty of engaging in organized criminal activity. They took just 15 minutes to sentence him to prison for life. Defense attorneys had sought a suspended sentence of less than 10 years so Kelly could be placed on probation.
Prosecutors said Kelly was a member of the so-called Mineola Swinger's Club, though Kelly has maintained his innocence. They contended Kelly helped set up a "kindergarten" where children learned to dance provocatively. To help perform at the club, prosecutors say the children were given Vicodin-like drugs the adults passed off as "silly pills."
"As we stand here, I still absolutely believe that my client is innocent," Kelly's defense attorney, Thad Davidson, said outside the courtroom after the trial.
During closing arguments, prosecutor Joe Murphy accused Kelly of having sexual contact with five children tied to the case who, he said, showed signs of sexual abuse.
"Why is it that every child that comes into contact with him is broken?" Murphy asked.
Davidson questioned why the children didn't remember details about the club and why they weren't examined by medical personnel trained to detect sexual abuse.
Davidson contended the lead investigator had little experience handling sex crimes, said he didn't conduct a thorough investigation and accused him of being improperly influenced by the foster mother of three of the children, Margie Cantrell, who brought the original complaint.
"So you got these incredible suggestive, tainted ... interviews. And who takes over the interviews? The woman who has custody of the three children," Davidson said.
Kelly, 41, testified during the trial that he has no knowledge of "silly pills" and never made children do any kind of sexual dancing or touched them inappropriately. He said he has never even been to the Mineola Swinger's Club.
Other witnesses called by Kelly's attorneys have said that while swinger parties took place in the building, children were never present.
"I thought things would go the justice way, but justice is fickle I guess," Kelly's mother, Linda Kelly, said in a telephone interview with The Associated Press. "I honestly don't know why it went the way it did. This is the first time I've heard all this stuff that the D.A. is putting out -- that is not my child."
Cantrell sparked the investigation by the Texas Rangers when she reported that her foster children told her of having being forced into sex some 18 months earlier inside the windowless rooms of the former day care center.
Two other alleged participants, Jamie Pittman and Shauntel Mayo, already were convicted and sentenced to life in prison. Three other defendants are awaiting trial.
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