The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), with its 47,000 churches and nearly 14 million members across the country, is under investigation by the United States Department of Justice (DOJ). The investigation comes in the wake of widespread reports of clergy sexual abuse and inactions by church leaders to solve the problem.  On Aug. 12, a statement concerning the federal investigation was released by a group of SBC leaders, including SBC Executive Committee members, seminary presidents and heads of mission organizations.  “Individually and collectively each SBC entity is resolved to fully and completely cooperate with the investigation,” the statement said. The DOJ’s involvement comes after the Southern Baptist Convention released the results of its independent investigation three months ago. SBC church officials knew of the sexual abuse against adults and children … [Read More...]

Thousands of athletes join colleges across the country every year, hoping to make it to the top of their sport. Athletes dedicate themselves to their sport, striving to reach the peak of their fitness to advance within their sport. Sadly, many college athletes have found themselves tangled in cycles of abuse through no fault of their own, often at the hands of those who promise to help these athletes achieve their dreams. College Athletes Assaulted on Campus A recent study found that more than 25% of college athletes reported being sexually harassed or assaulted by someone in a position of power on campus. College athletes were 2.5 times more likely to have encountered sexual abuse than the general student population. Of those, coaches were reported as the most … [Read More...]

A bill aimed at increasing the legal rights of employees who are victims of workplace sexual assault is finally signed into law. The legislation, called the Ending Forced Arbitration of Sexual Assault and Sexual Harassment Act, easily passed the U.S. House and Senate with overwhelming bipartisan support. President Joe Biden signed it into law last week. It was first introduced five years ago by Sen. Kirstin Gillibrand (D-NY) and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC). The law bans forced arbitration clauses in new employee contracts, which require victims to pursue their cases in private mediation with the accused individual. The behind-closed-doors practice shields perpetrators and prevents workers from having their stories heard in a public court. The bill’s biggest advocate, Former FOX News anchor … [Read More...]

For years, leaders at the University of Michigan have been entangled by sexual misconduct allegations involving employees, both past and present. The fallout continues. Just as a $490 million settlement was reached with more than 1,000 victims who had been assaulted by Dr. Robert Anderson, a sports doctor employed by the university for decades, President Mark S. Schlissel was removed from office by the board of regents. The cited reason was “ …information about an inappropriate relationship with a university employee.”  Although he was immediately released from presidential duties, Schlissel still has the potential to hold a professorship position at the school. Reasons Behind the U-M President’s Removal The board announced the decision on January 15 and explained it came about after receiving an anonymous complaint about … [Read More...]

The University of Michigan has reached a $490 million settlement with more than 1,000 former students allegedly assaulted by Dr. Robert Anderson, a sports doctor employed by the university for decades. He retired from the university in 2003 and died five years later. Claimants settled through mediation, and $460 million will be divided among the 1,050 primarily male survivors of Anderson’s abuse. According to the university, $30 million will be set aside for future claims filed before July 31, 2023. Claimants and their attorneys will decide how to split the funds. The settlement is similar in scope to the $500 million settlement that Michigan State University reached in 2018 with Larry Nassar abuse survivors. Nassar, a former sports doctor, infamously sexually abused athletes and students under the pretense of providing necessary medical treatment. … [Read More...]

The University of Michigan has reached a $490 million settlement with more than 1,000 former students allegedly assaulted by Dr. Robert Anderson, a sports doctor employed by the university for decades. He retired from the university in 2003 and died five years later. Claimants settled through mediation, and $460 million will be divided among the 1,050 primarily male survivors of Anderson’s abuse. According to the university, $30 million will be set aside for future claims filed before July 31, 2023. Claimants and their attorneys will decide how to split the funds. The settlement is similar in scope to the $500 million settlement that Michigan State University reached in 2018 with Larry Nassar abuse survivors. Nassar, a former sports doctor, infamously sexually abused athletes and students under the pretense of providing necessary medical treatment. … [Read More...]

After deliberating for five days in December, a federal jury found British socialite Ghislaine Maxwell guilty of facilitating American financier Jeffrey Epstein’s abuse of underage girls. The verdict came after a month-long trial featuring the testimony of four of his victims, who detailed the abuse they experienced as teenagers between 1994 and 2004 at Epstein’s various homes in New York, Florida, New Mexico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Maxwell’s charges included sex trafficking of minors, conspiracy to entice a minor to travel to engage in illegal sex acts, conspiracy to transport a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, transporting a minor with the intent to engage in criminal sexual activity, conspiracy to commit sex trafficking of minors and enticing a minor to travel … [Read More...]

The stunning legal case of a trusted USA Gymnastics doctor who sexually abused over 300 young female athletes has come to an end after a final settlement was reached last month between survivors and USA Gymnastics.  Larry Nasser worked as a physician at Michigan State University and for the Olympic gymnastic hopefuls of Team USA before being convicted in 2018 of child pornography and sexual assault. Nasser is currently serving several life sentences. His abuse was the largest sex abuse scandal in U.S. Olympic history. Many of the young survivors weren’t even 13 when Nasser assaulted them. Nasser’s victims include some of the most elite U.S. gymnasts in history, including reigning world champion Simone Biles. A federal bankruptcy court in Indiana approved the final agreement on December 13 between … [Read More...]