Faced with nearly 100 lawsuits related to decades-old sex abuse claims, the Roman Catholic organisation, Franciscan Friars of California, has filed for bankruptcy.

In a statement, the California-based organisation devoted to helping the poor said it was driven to bankruptcy by a California state law that has enabled sexual abuse victims to file complaints over decade-old incidents. Previously, such complaints were time-barred under the state's statute of limitations, reports Reuters.

<h2>Sexual abuse lawsuits against the organisation</h2>

The Franciscan Friars of California faces 94 lawsuits, most of which have been filed in the western US state of California.&nbsp;

All these lawsuits, as per the group, are based on abuse that allegedly dates back at least 27 years. On Tuesday, the Franciscan Friars of California said that most of the friars accused in these lawsuits are deceased and the six who are still alive are no longer associated with the organisation.

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"I am deeply saddened by the sinful acts committed, and the damage caused to abuse survivors — then only children — who put their trust in friars," said Provincial minister Father David Gaa in a statement.

As per Gaa, even if "no apology or any amount of financial compensation can reverse the harm," the bankruptcy would allow the organisation to fairly compensate survivors of abuse.

<h2>Roman catholic organisations and bankruptcy</h2>

The Franciscan Friars of California is one of many Roman Catholic organisations that in recent days have filed for bankruptcy to address sexual abuse lawsuits.&nbsp;

According to Bloomberg News, in 2023, previously Diocese of Santa Rosa, the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Oakland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

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&nbsp;

In its bankruptcy filing from Dec 31,&nbsp;2023, the friars said it has between $1 million and $10 million in assets, while its liabilities are between $10 million and $50 million.

The organisation is known for operating the St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco's Tenderloin district. There it provides food, clothing, and addiction counselling to those in need. As per the group's spokesperson, its work at the St. Anthony Foundation or elsewhere will not be affected by the bankruptcy filing.

(With inputs from agencies)

Faced with nearly 100 lawsuits related to decades-old sex abuse claims, the Roman Catholic organisation, Franciscan Friars of California, has filed for bankruptcy.

Faced with nearly 100 lawsuits related to decades-old sex abuse claims, the Roman Catholic organisation, Franciscan Friars of California, has filed for bankruptcy. In a statement, the California-based organisation devoted to helping the poor said it was driven to bankruptcy by a California state law that has enabled sexual abuse victims to file complaints over decade-old incidents. Previously, such complaints were time-barred under the state's statute of limitations, reports Reuters. Sexual abuse lawsuits against the organisation The Franciscan Friars of California faces 94 lawsuits, most of which have been filed in the western US state of California. All these lawsuits, as per the group, are based on abuse that allegedly dates back at least 27 years. On Tuesday, the Franciscan Friars of California said that most of the friars accused in these lawsuits are deceased and the six who are still alive are no longer associated with the organisation. Also read | UK: 16-year-old girl "gang-raped" virtually in metaverse, police begins investigation "I am deeply saddened by the sinful acts committed, and the damage caused to abuse survivors — then only children — who put their trust in friars," said Provincial minister Father David Gaa in a statement. As per Gaa, even if "no apology or any amount of financial compensation can reverse the harm," the bankruptcy would allow the organisation to fairly compensate survivors of abuse. Roman catholic organisations and bankruptcy The Franciscan Friars of California is one of many Roman Catholic organisations that in recent days have filed for bankruptcy to address sexual abuse lawsuits. According to Bloomberg News, in 2023, previously Diocese of Santa Rosa, the Archdiocese of San Francisco and the Diocese of Oakland filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Also read | Investigations start as charred Japan Airlines parts lie on tarmac In its bankruptcy filing from Dec 31, 2023, the friars said it has between $1 million and $10 million in assets, while its liabilities are between $10 million and $50 million. The organisation is known for operating the St. Anthony Foundation in San Francisco's Tenderloin district. There it provides food, clothing, and addiction counselling to those in need. As per the group's spokesperson, its work at the St. Anthony Foundation or elsewhere will not be affected by the bankruptcy filing. (With inputs from agencies)

Sexual abuse lawsuits drive Roman Catholic organisation Franciscan Friars of California to file bankruptcy

A lawsuit accusing actor Warren Beatty of coercive sex with a teenager five decades ago was dismissed Friday. The suit, lodged in Los Angeles last year, was one among&nbsp;several&nbsp; historic abuse claims filed under a California law allowing complaints that would otherwise have passed the statute of limitations.

Kristina Charlotte Hirsch alleged in the suit that she met the Bonnie and Clyde&nbsp;actor on a movie set in 1973 when she was 14 or 15 years old.&nbsp;

She claimed he later invited her to the hotel in which he was living and took her for car rides.&nbsp;Beatty -- who would have been aged around 35 at the time -- "used his position and status as an adult and a Hollywood movie star to coerce sexual contact with Plaintiff on multiple occasions, including oral sex, simulated sex and finally coerced sexual intercourse with the minor child," the suit said.

Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Edward Moreton Jr dismissed the case "with prejudice" at a hearing Friday meaning it cannot be refiled.

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Moreton noted that Hirsch had not filed case management papers and was representing herself after her former attorney withdrew this year.

Beatty, now 86, has long had a reputation as a lothario whose romantic entanglements have at times overshadowed his acting career.

He has in the past been linked to names including Jane Fonda, Brigitte Bardot, Diane Keaton and Britt Ekland.

A lawsuit accusing actor Warren Beatty of coercive sex with a teenager five decades ago was dismissed Friday. The suit, lodged in Los Angeles last year, was one among several historic abuse claims filed under a California law allowing complaints that would otherwise have passed the statute of limitations.

A lawsuit accusing actor Warren Beatty of coercive sex with a teenager five decades ago was dismissed Friday. The suit, lodged in Los Angeles last year, was one among several historic abuse claims filed under a California law allowing complaints that would otherwise have passed the statute of limitations. Kristina Charlotte Hirsch alleged in the suit that she met the Bonnie and Clyde actor on a movie set in 1973 when she was 14 or 15 years old. She claimed he later invited her to the hotel in which he was living and took her for car rides. Beatty -- who would have been aged around 35 at the time -- "used his position and status as an adult and a Hollywood movie star to coerce sexual contact with Plaintiff on multiple occasions, including oral sex, simulated sex and finally coerced sexual intercourse with the minor child," the suit said. Beverly Hills Superior Court Judge Edward Moreton Jr dismissed the case "with prejudice" at a hearing Friday meaning it cannot be refiled. Also read: Meghan Markle and Prince Harry are all smiles in their 2023 Christmas Card Moreton noted that Hirsch had not filed case management papers and was representing herself after her former attorney withdrew this year. Beatty, now 86, has long had a reputation as a lothario whose romantic entanglements have at times overshadowed his acting career. He has in the past been linked to names including Jane Fonda, Brigitte Bardot, Diane Keaton and Britt Ekland.

Lawsuit accusing actor Warren Beatty of sexual abuse of teenage girl dismissed

Jamie Foxx was sued for allegedly groping a customer at a New York rooftop bar in 2015. The lady, who is named Jane Doe in the lawsuit, claims that Foxx forced her to go to a private area of the Catch NYC rooftop lounge where he touched her under her clothes and caressed her breasts.

Oscar-winner Jamie Foxx accused of sexual abuse in New York bar

Earlier this month, the popular web-based online chat service Omegle closed down forever after the platform was dubbed a safe haven for paedophiles and other notorious elements of society. The court documents show a woman named "Alice" or "A.M." (name changed) who was a victim of child sexual abuse on Omegle, was the main force behind the closure of the website.&nbsp;

Speaking to BBC for the first time after the judgement, Alice revealed that an out-of-court settlement led to the website's closure which otherwise would have taken years if the trial went to jury.&nbsp;

"Getting the site shut down was something I couldn't have achieved in court, so I got to tailor the outcome," she told the publication.&nbsp;

"Accomplishing everything we were able to in court and then obtaining this result now - probably years earlier than we could have reached a jury verdict - is something I'll never stop being proud of."

Alice spent years fighting for compensation after she was randomly paired with a paedophile who made her his&nbsp;digital sex slave. The accused named&nbsp;Ryan Fordyce, a father of two had collected 220 images and videos of Alice from the age of 11, carrying out sexual acts under duress.&nbsp;

"He was able to manipulate me immediately, and very quickly I was being forced to do things that a child should not have to do," said Alice.&nbsp;

Around the time&nbsp;Fordyce was sentenced to a prison sentence in Canada, Alice filed the lawsuit against Omegle in 2021. Prior to the out-of-court settlement, Alice hoped to get&nbsp;$22 million in compensation but had to settle for an undisclosed sum earlier this month which she described was better for her and others.&nbsp;

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<h2>Omegle&nbsp;shuts down</h2>

Omegle, launched in 2009 by then 18-year-old Leif Brooks paired random strangers on the platform via video format to chat and engage.

However, what started as a medium to connect with different people, soon turned into a den of paedophilia and other sexual as well as predatory behaviour, primarily due to lack of moderation.&nbsp;In the last couple of years, the site had been involved in more than 50 cases against paedophiles.&nbsp;&nbsp;

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After years of growing concerns around the safety of users on the website,&nbsp;Brooks, earlier this month shut down the platform by posting a lengthy message where he acknowledged Alice for opening his worldview.&nbsp;

"I thank A.M. for opening my eyes to the human cost of Omegle," he wrote in the farewell message.&nbsp;

The website had around 73 million visitors a month, according to website watchers Semrush, mostly from India, the US, the UK, Mexico and Australia.

(With inputs from agencies)

Earlier this month, the popular web-based online chat service Omegle closed down forever after the platform was dubbed a safe haven for paedophiles and other notorious elements of society.

Earlier this month, the popular web-based online chat service Omegle closed down forever after the platform was dubbed a safe haven for paedophiles and other notorious elements of society. The court documents show a woman named "Alice" or "A.M." (name changed) who was a victim of child sexual abuse on Omegle, was the main force behind the closure of the website. Speaking to BBC for the first time after the judgement, Alice revealed that an out-of-court settlement led to the website's closure which otherwise would have taken years if the trial went to jury. "Getting the site shut down was something I couldn't have achieved in court, so I got to tailor the outcome," she told the publication. "Accomplishing everything we were able to in court and then obtaining this result now - probably years earlier than we could have reached a jury verdict - is something I'll never stop being proud of." Alice spent years fighting for compensation after she was randomly paired with a paedophile who made her his digital sex slave. The accused named Ryan Fordyce, a father of two had collected 220 images and videos of Alice from the age of 11, carrying out sexual acts under duress. "He was able to manipulate me immediately, and very quickly I was being forced to do things that a child should not have to do," said Alice. Around the time Fordyce was sentenced to a prison sentence in Canada, Alice filed the lawsuit against Omegle in 2021. Prior to the out-of-court settlement, Alice hoped to get $22 million in compensation but had to settle for an undisclosed sum earlier this month which she described was better for her and others. Also read | Urgent actions needed to stop spread of AI-generated child sexual abuse images on internet Omegle shuts down Omegle, launched in 2009 by then 18-year-old Leif Brooks paired random strangers on the platform via video format to chat and engage. However, what started as a medium to connect with different people, soon turned into a den of paedophilia and other sexual as well as predatory behaviour, primarily due to lack of moderation. In the last couple of years, the site had been involved in more than 50 cases against paedophiles. Watch | Meta joins 'Lantern' programme to fight against online child abuse × After years of growing concerns around the safety of users on the website, Brooks, earlier this month shut down the platform by posting a lengthy message where he acknowledged Alice for opening his worldview. "I thank A.M. for opening my eyes to the human cost of Omegle," he wrote in the farewell message. The website had around 73 million visitors a month, according to website watchers Semrush, mostly from India, the US, the UK, Mexico and Australia. (With inputs from agencies)

Woman who got notorious website Omegle closed down reveals how she did it

Nearly one in 10 Australian men have committed a sexual offence against children under the age of 18, finds a study led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. The findings of the research, which is said to be the largest study of its kind ever undertaken globally, were released on Monday (Nov 20).&nbsp;

<h2>‘Deeply concerning’</h2>

The study titled ‘Identifying and understanding child sexual offending behaviour and attitudes among Australian men’ was conducted by UNSW Sydney and Jesuit Social Services and aimed to research the “prevalence of child sexual offending behaviours and attitudes”.&nbsp;

“The first nationally representative research…has shed unprecedented light on sexually abusive behaviours and feelings among Australian men,” said a statement released by the UNSW.&nbsp;

The study surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,945 Australian men aged 18 to over 65 and found that one in 10 or 9.4 per cent said they had sexual contact with someone under the age of 18.

This would be around one million men in Australia out of which nearly half of them (4.9 per cent) reported having sexual feelings towards children. The figures also include online offences as 4.3 per cent of Australian men reported having had online sexual conversations with children and 2.5 per cent deliberately watched pornographic material containing people below the age of 18.&nbsp;

According to the study, 4.9 per cent of men with sexual feelings that have committed a sexual offence against children were more likely to be married, working with children, earning higher incomes; report anxiety, depression, and binge drinking behaviours; and have been sexually abused or had adverse experiences in childhood.&nbsp;

These men are also found to be active online, including on social media, encrypted apps and cryptocurrency and consume pornography that involves violence or bestiality, the report added.&nbsp;

At least 3.2 per cent of Australian men said they had had sexual contact with a person below the age of 18 when they were over 18. However, the study also noted that this aspect proved to be a limitation since the age of consent in Australia varies and can be 16 or 17 depending on the state.&nbsp;

According to the study, one in six (15.1 per cent) Australian men reported having sexual feelings towards children.

The UNSW-led study found two distinct groups of child sex offenders - “One which is motivated by sexual interest in children, and a second group who may be offending for situational or opportunistic reasons,” the research found.&nbsp;

<h2>Invest in prevention</h2>

“The prevalence of abuse revealed in this report is deeply concerning,” Georgia Naldrett, Manager of Jesuit Social Services’ Stop it Now! Australia service said&nbsp;in a statement.&nbsp;

The study recommends measures like improving community understanding of the harm of child sexual abuse and challenging attitudes that support it.&nbsp;

It also calls for better online safety measures and safeguarding children where they may be “deemed particularly risky, including schools, day-care, social groups, clubs and any other activity in which children are present.”

They also recommend early intervention for men with sexual feelings towards children who have not committed an offence yet. The study found that out of the men who have sexual feelings, 29.6 per cent want help for their sexual feelings towards children.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Nearly one in 10 Australian men have committed a sexual offence against children under the age of 18, finds a study led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney.

Nearly one in 10 Australian men have committed a sexual offence against children under the age of 18, finds a study led by the University of New South Wales (UNSW), Sydney. The findings of the research, which is said to be the largest study of its kind ever undertaken globally, were released on Monday (Nov 20). ‘Deeply concerning’ The study titled ‘Identifying and understanding child sexual offending behaviour and attitudes among Australian men’ was conducted by UNSW Sydney and Jesuit Social Services and aimed to research the “prevalence of child sexual offending behaviours and attitudes”. “The first nationally representative research…has shed unprecedented light on sexually abusive behaviours and feelings among Australian men,” said a statement released by the UNSW. The study surveyed a nationally representative sample of 1,945 Australian men aged 18 to over 65 and found that one in 10 or 9.4 per cent said they had sexual contact with someone under the age of 18. This would be around one million men in Australia out of which nearly half of them (4.9 per cent) reported having sexual feelings towards children. The figures also include online offences as 4.3 per cent of Australian men reported having had online sexual conversations with children and 2.5 per cent deliberately watched pornographic material containing people below the age of 18. According to the study, 4.9 per cent of men with sexual feelings that have committed a sexual offence against children were more likely to be married, working with children, earning higher incomes; report anxiety, depression, and binge drinking behaviours; and have been sexually abused or had adverse experiences in childhood. These men are also found to be active online, including on social media, encrypted apps and cryptocurrency and consume pornography that involves violence or bestiality, the report added. At least 3.2 per cent of Australian men said they had had sexual contact with a person below the age of 18 when they were over 18. However, the study also noted that this aspect proved to be a limitation since the age of consent in Australia varies and can be 16 or 17 depending on the state. According to the study, one in six (15.1 per cent) Australian men reported having sexual feelings towards children. The UNSW-led study found two distinct groups of child sex offenders - “One which is motivated by sexual interest in children, and a second group who may be offending for situational or opportunistic reasons,” the research found. Invest in prevention “The prevalence of abuse revealed in this report is deeply concerning,” Georgia Naldrett, Manager of Jesuit Social Services’ Stop it Now! Australia service said in a statement. The study recommends measures like improving community understanding of the harm of child sexual abuse and challenging attitudes that support it. It also calls for better online safety measures and safeguarding children where they may be “deemed particularly risky, including schools, day-care, social groups, clubs and any other activity in which children are present.” They also recommend early intervention for men with sexual feelings towards children who have not committed an offence yet. The study found that out of the men who have sexual feelings, 29.6 per cent want help for their sexual feelings towards children. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia: One in 10 men have committed a sexual offence against children, finds study

In a damning letter accessed by the British media, 60 senior women within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have pointed to a workplace culture marred by allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse perpetrated by male colleagues.&nbsp;

The letter, reportedly submitted last month to the UK Ministry of Defence's permanent secretary, had a number of anonymous testimonies, giving firsthand accounts of the women's distressing experiences.

<h2>What do the testimonials show?</h2>

The testimonials show a pattern of misconduct, revealing incidents such as women being "propositioned," "groped," and "touched repeatedly" within the MoD.&nbsp;

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The senior civil servants who penned the letter to describe the prevailing atmosphere as "hostile to women as equal and respected partners," has sparked concerns about a broader discriminatory culture within one of the largest departments of the UK government.

<h2>Where all have the alleged incidents of abuse occurred?</h2>

The letter comprises of allegations spanning both the Ministry of Defence's London headquarters as well as the overseas bases. But most of these accounts have been categorised as "very recent", reflecting rampant signs of discriminatory workplace culture within the ministry.

<h2>About incidents of alleged abuse</h2>

The disclosed incidents of alleged abuse include:

- A woman who reported being groped at an MoD social function, only to be discouraged from filing a complaint.

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- An overseas posting where a woman claimed to be "touched repeatedly on the lower back and legs by a senior military officer," with no repercussions for the alleged perpetrator, according to the Guardian.

- Shocking revelations about a group of military officers allegedly maintaining an "Excel spreadsheet that rated women" based on appearance and perceived behaviour in intimate settings.

- An incident where a "defence senior" purportedly inquired whether anal sex was an appropriate topic for a speech before an evening event.

- An unsettling account of a military officer "propositioning" a woman late at night in a corridor on an overseas military base.

The UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement: "We are deeply concerned by the complaints made and we are taking action to tackle the issues raised. No woman should be made to feel unsafe in Defence and this behaviour will not be tolerated. We also continue to encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed this kind of inexcusable behaviour, to report it immediately."

(With inputs from agencies)

In a damning letter accessed by the British media, 60 senior women within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have pointed to a workplace culture marred by allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse perpetrated by male colleagues.

In a damning letter accessed by the British media, 60 senior women within the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) have pointed to a workplace culture marred by allegations of sexual assault, harassment, and abuse perpetrated by male colleagues. The letter, reportedly submitted last month to the UK Ministry of Defence's permanent secretary, had a number of anonymous testimonies, giving firsthand accounts of the women's distressing experiences. What do the testimonials show? The testimonials show a pattern of misconduct, revealing incidents such as women being "propositioned," "groped," and "touched repeatedly" within the MoD. Also read | UK's defence ministry places nearly $25 million order with BAE Systems The senior civil servants who penned the letter to describe the prevailing atmosphere as "hostile to women as equal and respected partners," has sparked concerns about a broader discriminatory culture within one of the largest departments of the UK government. Where all have the alleged incidents of abuse occurred? The letter comprises of allegations spanning both the Ministry of Defence's London headquarters as well as the overseas bases. But most of these accounts have been categorised as "very recent", reflecting rampant signs of discriminatory workplace culture within the ministry. About incidents of alleged abuse The disclosed incidents of alleged abuse include: - A woman who reported being groped at an MoD social function, only to be discouraged from filing a complaint. × - An overseas posting where a woman claimed to be "touched repeatedly on the lower back and legs by a senior military officer," with no repercussions for the alleged perpetrator, according to the Guardian. - Shocking revelations about a group of military officers allegedly maintaining an "Excel spreadsheet that rated women" based on appearance and perceived behaviour in intimate settings. - An incident where a "defence senior" purportedly inquired whether anal sex was an appropriate topic for a speech before an evening event. - An unsettling account of a military officer "propositioning" a woman late at night in a corridor on an overseas military base. The UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement: "We are deeply concerned by the complaints made and we are taking action to tackle the issues raised. No woman should be made to feel unsafe in Defence and this behaviour will not be tolerated. We also continue to encourage anyone who has experienced or witnessed this kind of inexcusable behaviour, to report it immediately." (With inputs from agencies)

UK defence ministry a house of sexual abuse? Damning letter reveals shocking details

A study has found that shouting at children is as damaging as physical or sexual abuse. Parents who shout at their children or call them “stupid” leave their children at greater risk of self-harm, drug use and ending up in jail.

Gravitas: We need to talk about this: Shouting at children, as damaging as physical abuse?

Aja Evans, a 2014 Olympic bobsled bronze medalist, has filed a lawsuit alleging that a doctor who worked on Team USA's medical staff subjected her to nearly a decade of sexual abuse and harassment during treatment.

The doctor, Jonathan Wilhelm, a chiropractor who resides in Montana, as well as the United States Olympic &amp; Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation were named as defendants in the lawsuit filed on Wednesday in a state court in upstate New York.

Evans, 35, said in a news release on Thursday that Wilhelm's "repeated molestation and sexual assault" left her "physically and emotionally damaged, to the point where I experience chronic anxiety and fell out of love with the sport of bobsledding."

The lawsuit said Wilhelm's treatment "mirrors the abuse perpetuated" by Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor serving a potential 175-year prison sentence following his 2018 conviction for sexually abusing female gymnasts.

Ryan Stevens, a lawyer for Wilhelm, said his client "wholeheartedly denies the detestable claims against him," and called comparing Wilhelm to Nassar "disgraceful and defamatory." The USOPC said it had not reviewed the complaint, but "remains&nbsp;committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Team USA athletes," including by eliminating abuse.

USA Bobsled said in an email to Reuters that it could not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit but condemns sexual misconduct and remains committed to promoting a safe environment for all athletes, coaches, staff and volunteers.

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According to Evans' attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel, her client suffered "abhorrent and persistent sexual and emotional abuse" at the hands Wilhelm, whom she said was sheltered and enabled by USA Bobsledding and the USOPC's "culture of silence."

"Unfortunately, her experience is all too common and is in many ways similar to the widespread sexual abuse USA gymnasts faced by Larry Nassar," Simpson Tuegel said. "While nothing can erase the trauma Aja suffered, we are committed to bringing both Mr. Wilhelm and the national organizations which enabled his predation to justice."

The lawsuit said Wilhelm began treating Evans in 2012, and that during the treatment he "touched and groped Ms. Evans' genitals and body in contravention of any applicable medical standards." Evans said it was well known among athletes that Wilhelm would, regardless of their injuries, find a reason to "go for the adductor," a group of muscles located on the inner thighs.

She also alleges that Wilhelm had been reported for videotaping and photographing Evans and others in various states of undress during treatment sessions and prior to competition at the USOPC training facility in Lake Placid, New York.

Evans and her teammate formally reported Wilhelm's repeated non-consensual photography in 2017 to USA Bobsled, but the USOPC and USA Bobsled dismissed the complaint and failed to initiate any sort of investigation, according to the lawsuit.

"Rather than being protected, believed, and taken seriously, Ms. Evans was subjected to investigation and degradation by the USOPC and USA Bobsled governing bodies," the lawsuit said. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for pain and suffering, medical damages and other harm, plus punitive damages.

Evans won a bronze medal in the two-woman bobsled at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In November 2022, Evans received a two-year ban from bobsledding for not submitting a sample during an out-of-competition drug test the previous March.

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Aja Evans, a 2014 Olympic bobsled bronze medalist, has filed a lawsuit alleging that a doctor who worked on Team USA's medical staff subjected her to nearly a decade of sexual abuse and harassment during treatment.

Aja Evans, a 2014 Olympic bobsled bronze medalist, has filed a lawsuit alleging that a doctor who worked on Team USA's medical staff subjected her to nearly a decade of sexual abuse and harassment during treatment. The doctor, Jonathan Wilhelm, a chiropractor who resides in Montana, as well as the United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee (USOPC) and USA Bobsled and Skeleton Federation were named as defendants in the lawsuit filed on Wednesday in a state court in upstate New York. Evans, 35, said in a news release on Thursday that Wilhelm's "repeated molestation and sexual assault" left her "physically and emotionally damaged, to the point where I experience chronic anxiety and fell out of love with the sport of bobsledding." The lawsuit said Wilhelm's treatment "mirrors the abuse perpetuated" by Larry Nassar, the former USA Gymnastics team doctor serving a potential 175-year prison sentence following his 2018 conviction for sexually abusing female gymnasts. Ryan Stevens, a lawyer for Wilhelm, said his client "wholeheartedly denies the detestable claims against him," and called comparing Wilhelm to Nassar "disgraceful and defamatory." The USOPC said it had not reviewed the complaint, but "remains committed to ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Team USA athletes," including by eliminating abuse. USA Bobsled said in an email to Reuters that it could not comment on the specifics of the lawsuit but condemns sexual misconduct and remains committed to promoting a safe environment for all athletes, coaches, staff and volunteers. Also read: Gymnastics: Simone Biles set to compete in sixth world championships According to Evans' attorney Michelle Simpson Tuegel, her client suffered "abhorrent and persistent sexual and emotional abuse" at the hands Wilhelm, whom she said was sheltered and enabled by USA Bobsledding and the USOPC's "culture of silence." "Unfortunately, her experience is all too common and is in many ways similar to the widespread sexual abuse USA gymnasts faced by Larry Nassar," Simpson Tuegel said. "While nothing can erase the trauma Aja suffered, we are committed to bringing both Mr. Wilhelm and the national organizations which enabled his predation to justice." The lawsuit said Wilhelm began treating Evans in 2012, and that during the treatment he "touched and groped Ms. Evans' genitals and body in contravention of any applicable medical standards." Evans said it was well known among athletes that Wilhelm would, regardless of their injuries, find a reason to "go for the adductor," a group of muscles located on the inner thighs. She also alleges that Wilhelm had been reported for videotaping and photographing Evans and others in various states of undress during treatment sessions and prior to competition at the USOPC training facility in Lake Placid, New York. Evans and her teammate formally reported Wilhelm's repeated non-consensual photography in 2017 to USA Bobsled, but the USOPC and USA Bobsled dismissed the complaint and failed to initiate any sort of investigation, according to the lawsuit. "Rather than being protected, believed, and taken seriously, Ms. Evans was subjected to investigation and degradation by the USOPC and USA Bobsled governing bodies," the lawsuit said. The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for pain and suffering, medical damages and other harm, plus punitive damages. Evans won a bronze medal in the two-woman bobsled at the 2014 Sochi Olympics. In November 2022, Evans received a two-year ban from bobsledding for not submitting a sample during an out-of-competition drug test the previous March. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Olympic medalist Aja Evans sues US bobsled team doctor for sexual abuse

After the World Cup kiss scandal, hundreds of Spanish women have shared their stories of sexual abuse.

Does Spain have a culture of sexual abuse?

Julie Fujishima, the boss of Japan's biggest boyband agency, finally stepped down after admitting for the first time on Thursday (September 7) that its late founder sexually abused young stars. She even apologised to the victims.&nbsp;

Fujishima, niece of the accused music mogul Johnny Kitagawa who died in 2019, said, "Both the agency itself and I myself as a person recognise that sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa took place. I apologise for his victims from the bottom of my heart. I take seriously what happened."&nbsp;

The most powerful talent agency in Japan's pop music industry was headed by Kitagawa, but the scandal, which emerged fully earlier this year, has horrified the country and tainted his image.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/myanmar-photojournalist-receives-20-year-jail-term-for-cyclone-coverage-633378">Myanmar photojournalist receives 20-year jail term for cyclone coverage</a>&nbsp;

The&nbsp;allegations that he abused young men who wanted to be stars surfaced in Japanese media in 1999, but there was nothing concrete until this year after a BBC documentary revealed details.&nbsp;

The tell-all documentary in March led to shock and outrage in Japan, which was a lot similar to the reactions seen after the scandals involving Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein, and British TV star Jimmy Savile.&nbsp;

The story was widely covered by the national media and also grabbed international headlines, putting pressure on the authorities. Japanese lawmakers voiced outrage, while the United Nations human rights experts also criticised the talent agency for its handling of the allegations.&nbsp;

The 57-year-old Fujishima said she had stepped down effective Tuesday and named singer and actor Noriyuki Higashiyama, a veteran member of the talent agency, as her successor. But she said that she would remain in the agency's leadership to help "compensate" victims.

"It will take an enormous amount of time before we can regain trust. I will stake the rest of my life on addressing this problem," said Higashiyama, 56.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/technology/microsoft-says-compromise-of-its-engineers-account-led-to-chinese-hack-of-us-officials-633342">Microsoft says hackers penetrated its engineer's account to steal emails of US officials</a>&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;How much will it cost to change India’s name to Bharat?&nbsp;

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<h2>Full recovery will take time&nbsp;</h2>

Kitagawa had successfully sued for defamation over the claims, although the verdict was partially overturned on appeal. He was never criminally charged.&nbsp;

But after the latest move by the agency, victims said that full recovery remains far off but they felt vindicated.&nbsp;

Yukihiro Ohshima, a member of the Johnny's Sexual Assault Victims' Association, said: "I think she [Fujishima] acknowledged and sincerely apologised for what happened. It's not like the emotional scars are gone but I think out of 100 points things have gotten a little easier by about 10."

(With inputs from agencies) 
 
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Julie Fujishima, the boss of Japan's biggest boyband agency, finally stepped down after admitting for the first time on Thursday (September 7) that its late founder sexually abused young stars.

Julie Fujishima, the boss of Japan's biggest boyband agency, finally stepped down after admitting for the first time on Thursday (September 7) that its late founder sexually abused young stars. She even apologised to the victims. Fujishima, niece of the accused music mogul Johnny Kitagawa who died in 2019, said, "Both the agency itself and I myself as a person recognise that sexual abuse by Johnny Kitagawa took place. I apologise for his victims from the bottom of my heart. I take seriously what happened." The most powerful talent agency in Japan's pop music industry was headed by Kitagawa, but the scandal, which emerged fully earlier this year, has horrified the country and tainted his image. Also read: Myanmar photojournalist receives 20-year jail term for cyclone coverage The allegations that he abused young men who wanted to be stars surfaced in Japanese media in 1999, but there was nothing concrete until this year after a BBC documentary revealed details. The tell-all documentary in March led to shock and outrage in Japan, which was a lot similar to the reactions seen after the scandals involving Hollywood movie producer Harvey Weinstein, and British TV star Jimmy Savile. The story was widely covered by the national media and also grabbed international headlines, putting pressure on the authorities. Japanese lawmakers voiced outrage, while the United Nations human rights experts also criticised the talent agency for its handling of the allegations. The 57-year-old Fujishima said she had stepped down effective Tuesday and named singer and actor Noriyuki Higashiyama, a veteran member of the talent agency, as her successor. But she said that she would remain in the agency's leadership to help "compensate" victims. "It will take an enormous amount of time before we can regain trust. I will stake the rest of my life on addressing this problem," said Higashiyama, 56. Also read: Microsoft says hackers penetrated its engineer's account to steal emails of US officials Watch: How much will it cost to change India’s name to Bharat? × Full recovery will take time Kitagawa had successfully sued for defamation over the claims, although the verdict was partially overturned on appeal. He was never criminally charged. But after the latest move by the agency, victims said that full recovery remains far off but they felt vindicated. Yukihiro Ohshima, a member of the Johnny's Sexual Assault Victims' Association, said: "I think she [Fujishima] acknowledged and sincerely apologised for what happened. It's not like the emotional scars are gone but I think out of 100 points things have gotten a little easier by about 10." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Japan boyband agency admits founder Johnny Kitagawa's sexual abuse, chief quits

After admitting for the first time that the firm's late founder sexually assaulted aspiring young stars, the head of Japan's largest boyband talent agency resigned. The most influential music entrepreneur in the nation, Johnny Kitagawa, who passed away in 2019 at the age of 87, was accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting children over a period of years but avoided justice because his accusers were afraid he would ruin their careers if they came forward.

Head of Johnny Kitagawa’s J-pop agency resigns over sexual abuse scandal

A court in Sydney, Australia, acquitted Brian Houston, the founder of global megachurch Hillsong, of hiding sexual abuse committed by his father, former pastor Frank Houston, in the 1970s.

A court in Sydney, Australia, acquitted Brian Houston, the founder of global megachurch Hillsong, of hiding sexual abuse committed by his father, former pastor Frank Houston, in the 1970s. On Thursday, the Downing Centre Local and District Court pardoned Houston, 69, by saying that he agreed to the wishes of his father's victim Brett Sengstock by not reporting the crimes to the cops. The court acquitted him of concealing an indictable offence. Houston told reporters outside the court that he will always be sad for the people whose lives were tragically hurt. "But I am not my father. I did not commit this offence," he added. Gareth Christofi, the magistrate, said there was "little doubt" Houston knew Sengstock did not want to report the abuse. "Therefore, he had a valid excuse for not bringing the matter to the attention of the police," said Christofi. ALSO READ | WHO holds first traditional medicine summit Meanwhile, the victim, Sengstock, who rejected his right to anonymity, was in the court during the hearing. Previously, he told the court that from the age of seven, Brian Houston's father, Frank Houston, who was a pastor, repeatedly raped him. After the verdict, Sengstock said, "Frank Houston was no pioneer for Christianity. His legacy remains a faded memory of a paedophile. Regardless of today's outcome, I have received a life sentence." Brian came to know about the abuse decades later. He informed the Church leaders about it. However, he did not tell the police. Frank Houston admitted his crime. Although the church defrocked him, he was never charged and died in 2004. WATCH | Chandrayaan-3: Challenges ahead of Vikram lander's solo journey to the Moon Frank Houston confessed to his son about his crimes in 1999. Brian maintained in court that he did not report his father's crimes because when he found out, Sengstock was an adult and did not want the police involved. In 2022, when Brian was accused of concealing the crime from the police, he told Sydney's Downing Centre local, "I have no doubt now my father was a serial paedophile, and we'll probably never know the extent of it." Frank Houston admitted he sexually abused children to other executives in Australia's Pentecostal church network. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Brian Houston: Sydney court acquits Hillsong church founder for hiding father's child sex crimes

Two of the four Indigenous children who managed to survive for an astonishing 40 days in the Amazon jungle after a plane crash have seen their lives marred by further tragedy. The father of these children has now been charged with sexually abusing his stepdaughter, according to media reports quoting Colombian prosecutors.

In the early hours of May 1, a Cessna 206 aircraft, carrying seven people from Araracuara in Amazonas province to San Jose del Guaviare in Guaviare province, sent out a distress signal due to engine problems. Although three adults, including the pilot and a mother, sadly lost their lives, the children were left to manage on their own.

In a legal development following the incredible survival story, Colombian authorities have accused Manuel Ranoque, the father of two of the young survivors, of committing sexual abuse against his stepdaughter, Lesly.

Also Read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/fresh-cases-of-bubonic-plague-detected-in-china-625031">Fresh cases of bubonic plague detected in China</a>

Prosecutors stated that the abuse had reportedly been ongoing since Lesly was 10 years old. Ranoque, who denies the charges, was arrested on Friday and is currently in custody pending further proceedings, reports said.&nbsp;

The journey of survival for the children has been remarkable. The siblings, members of the Huitoto Indigenous group, demonstrated exceptional resilience. The 13-year-old Lesly played a pivotal role in their survival, using her extensive knowledge of the jungle to navigate its perils, including snakes, predators, and criminal groups.

The children's ability to endure was sustained by their discovery of a cache of cassava flour from the crashed plane and wild fruits.

<h2>Custody dispute&nbsp;</h2>

In a large-scale search operation, led by the military, over a hundred Colombian special forces personnel and 70 indigenous scouts conducted an extensive search throughout the dense forest.

After several days, four Colombian children&nbsp;were rescued.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/maui-wildfires-death-toll-climbs-to-93-hundreds-still-missing-top-points-625038">Maui wildfires: Death toll climbs to 93, hundreds still missing | Top points</a>

Following their miraculous rescue, a custody dispute ensued between their maternal grandparents and Ranoque, the biological father of the two younger siblings.

After being found just five kilometres away from the crash site, the children went through a month of recovery in a hospital.

Subsequently, the Colombian Family Welfare Institute took custody of the children. It was during this time that signs of possible sexual abuse were detected, leading the institute to inform the authorities.

WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistani senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar is Pak's transitionary PM

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The four-year-old Tien Noriel Ranoque Mucutuy's first words were after the rescue was, "My mother is dead." Meanwhile, the eldest of the group, Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, said, "I'm feeling hungry."

Lesly had told her family from the hospital that her mother Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive after the plane crash and that she fought hard to survive for four days before eventually telling her children to leave her behind and asking Lesly to take care of her younger siblings.&nbsp;

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Two of the four Indigenous children who managed to survive for an astonishing 40 days in the Amazon jungle after a plane crash have seen their lives marred by further tragedy.

Two of the four Indigenous children who managed to survive for an astonishing 40 days in the Amazon jungle after a plane crash have seen their lives marred by further tragedy. The father of these children has now been charged with sexually abusing his stepdaughter, according to media reports quoting Colombian prosecutors. In the early hours of May 1, a Cessna 206 aircraft, carrying seven people from Araracuara in Amazonas province to San Jose del Guaviare in Guaviare province, sent out a distress signal due to engine problems. Although three adults, including the pilot and a mother, sadly lost their lives, the children were left to manage on their own. In a legal development following the incredible survival story, Colombian authorities have accused Manuel Ranoque, the father of two of the young survivors, of committing sexual abuse against his stepdaughter, Lesly. Also Read | Fresh cases of bubonic plague detected in China Prosecutors stated that the abuse had reportedly been ongoing since Lesly was 10 years old. Ranoque, who denies the charges, was arrested on Friday and is currently in custody pending further proceedings, reports said. The journey of survival for the children has been remarkable. The siblings, members of the Huitoto Indigenous group, demonstrated exceptional resilience. The 13-year-old Lesly played a pivotal role in their survival, using her extensive knowledge of the jungle to navigate its perils, including snakes, predators, and criminal groups. The children's ability to endure was sustained by their discovery of a cache of cassava flour from the crashed plane and wild fruits. Custody dispute In a large-scale search operation, led by the military, over a hundred Colombian special forces personnel and 70 indigenous scouts conducted an extensive search throughout the dense forest. After several days, four Colombian children were rescued. Also Read | Maui wildfires: Death toll climbs to 93, hundreds still missing | Top points Following their miraculous rescue, a custody dispute ensued between their maternal grandparents and Ranoque, the biological father of the two younger siblings. After being found just five kilometres away from the crash site, the children went through a month of recovery in a hospital. Subsequently, the Colombian Family Welfare Institute took custody of the children. It was during this time that signs of possible sexual abuse were detected, leading the institute to inform the authorities. WATCH | Pakistani senator Anwar-ul-Haq Kakar is Pak's transitionary PM × The four-year-old Tien Noriel Ranoque Mucutuy's first words were after the rescue was, "My mother is dead." Meanwhile, the eldest of the group, Lesly Jacobombaire Mucutuy, said, "I'm feeling hungry." Lesly had told her family from the hospital that her mother Magdalena Mucutuy, was alive after the plane crash and that she fought hard to survive for four days before eventually telling her children to leave her behind and asking Lesly to take care of her younger siblings. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. ×

Dark turn for Colombian siblings who survived plane crash: Father charged with sexual abuse

In what is being described as the worst cases of sex crimes against children in Australian history, a former childcare worker, on Tuesday (August 1) was charged with over 1,600 child sexual abuse offences, including rape, of 91 young girls. The 45-year-old man worked at nearly a dozen childcare centres in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas over a 15-year period.

<h2>About the case</h2>

The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said that the 45-year-old, childcare worker, who was employed at a dozen childcare centres between 2007 and 2022, was arrested in August last year after they discovered electronic devices with child abuse material of young girls while executing warrants at his home and other addresses.&nbsp;

Queensland police first located the alleged child abuse images and videos on the dark web in 2014. This led to a years-long joint investigation by the AFP, Queensland Police Service (QPS) and New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF).&nbsp;

Initially, the material found in 2014 was posted on an international victim identification database by the AFP but the officials received no leads.

It was not until 2022, that investigators were able to trace identifiable features in the background of a video to a Brisbane childcare centre, which was followed by inquiries at the centre in question.

During the search of the man’s Gold Coast home, the police also found devices supposedly containing nearly 4,000 images and videos allegedly shot by the man. The AFP executed a search warrant and arrested the man in Brisbane’s south-western suburbs.&nbsp;

<h2>Where and when?</h2>

According to the Australian police, the alleged offences took place in 10 childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 to 2013, and 2018 to 2022; an overseas location in 2013 and 2014; and one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017.&nbsp;

While the accused, a Gold Coast native, has worked in other childcare centres, AFP could not immediately confirm the allegations at those locations.

<h2>Allegations against the man 
&nbsp;</h2>

Speaking about the case, AFP assistant commissioner Justine Gough called the alleged offences “deeply distressing” and “unfathomable”. The charges, on Tuesday, were brought by law enforcement officials after a decades-long investigation.&nbsp;

The 45-year-old man – who police said passed background checks required for his job at all the centres and has childcare qualifications – committed sex crime offences against 91 girls, some&nbsp;as young as one year old.&nbsp;

The police also believe that he recorded himself with phones and cameras abusing all his victims. After the material was discovered, much of the subsequent investigation focused on identifying the alleged victims, said the AFP.&nbsp;

The law enforcement officials have been able to identify all 87 Australian children of the 91 victims, all of whom are from New South Wales (NSW) or Queensland, and have informed their parents.&nbsp;

QPS acting assistant commissioner Col Briggs, during the press conference, said an “extensive examination was launched to identify the children in the pictures” as soon as police were made aware of them.

However, four children remain unidentified and they are working with the international authorities on the alleged abuse by the man overseas.&nbsp;

“This is one of the most horrific child abuse cases that I’ve seen in nearly 40 years of policing,” said NSW state police assistant commissioner Michael Fitzgerald.&nbsp;

He added, “It’s beyond the realms of anyone’s imagination what this person did to these children.”

<h2>Charges against the accused</h2>

The 45-year-old has been charged with 1,623 child abuse charges, including 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, alleged to have taken place in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas between 2007 and 2022.&nbsp;

<h2>Operation Tenterfield&nbsp;</h2>

Operation Tenterfield, in part focussed on identifying the children in the alleged child abuse material recorded at childcare centres began in August 2022 with 35 members, said Gough, adding that it had been “complex” and required “highly skilled victim identification specialists”.&nbsp;

In September, last year, AFP coordinated a joint agency task force with the QPS at the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation to review nearly 4,000 images and videos the man had allegedly created.&nbsp; 
 
“Given there were so many alleged images and videos of children recorded over 15 years on the alleged offender’s devices, the process of identification took time, skill and determination,” said Gough.&nbsp;

He added, “While I am extremely proud of law enforcement’s persistence and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender, and stop further abuse, this is chilling news.”

<h2>What now?</h2>

Some of the alleged victims are now over 18. The man, who has not been named, is scheduled to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 21.&nbsp;

Fitzgerald said the man would also face&nbsp;180&nbsp;child sex abuse charges against 23 victims aged one to five&nbsp;in NSW.&nbsp;“Once this man faces the AFP charges in Queensland, we will be seeking to extradite him to Sydney to face the full force of the law in NSW,” said state police assistant commissioner.&nbsp;

He also said that the NSW police has decided that it would not call a single victim witness to prosecute the case to save them from being re-traumatised.

(With inputs from agencies)&nbsp; 
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In what is being described as the worst cases of sex crimes against children in Australian history, a former childcare worker, on Tuesday (August 1) was charged with over 1,600 child sexual abuse offences, including rape, of 91 young girls.

In what is being described as the worst cases of sex crimes against children in Australian history, a former childcare worker, on Tuesday (August 1) was charged with over 1,600 child sexual abuse offences, including rape, of 91 young girls. The 45-year-old man worked at nearly a dozen childcare centres in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas over a 15-year period. About the case The Australian Federal Police (AFP) said that the 45-year-old, childcare worker, who was employed at a dozen childcare centres between 2007 and 2022, was arrested in August last year after they discovered electronic devices with child abuse material of young girls while executing warrants at his home and other addresses. Queensland police first located the alleged child abuse images and videos on the dark web in 2014. This led to a years-long joint investigation by the AFP, Queensland Police Service (QPS) and New South Wales Police Force (NSWPF). Initially, the material found in 2014 was posted on an international victim identification database by the AFP but the officials received no leads. It was not until 2022, that investigators were able to trace identifiable features in the background of a video to a Brisbane childcare centre, which was followed by inquiries at the centre in question. During the search of the man’s Gold Coast home, the police also found devices supposedly containing nearly 4,000 images and videos allegedly shot by the man. The AFP executed a search warrant and arrested the man in Brisbane’s south-western suburbs. Where and when? According to the Australian police, the alleged offences took place in 10 childcare centres in Brisbane between 2007 to 2013, and 2018 to 2022; an overseas location in 2013 and 2014; and one centre in Sydney between 2014 and 2017. While the accused, a Gold Coast native, has worked in other childcare centres, AFP could not immediately confirm the allegations at those locations. Allegations against the man Speaking about the case, AFP assistant commissioner Justine Gough called the alleged offences “deeply distressing” and “unfathomable”. The charges, on Tuesday, were brought by law enforcement officials after a decades-long investigation. The 45-year-old man – who police said passed background checks required for his job at all the centres and has childcare qualifications – committed sex crime offences against 91 girls, some as young as one year old. The police also believe that he recorded himself with phones and cameras abusing all his victims. After the material was discovered, much of the subsequent investigation focused on identifying the alleged victims, said the AFP. The law enforcement officials have been able to identify all 87 Australian children of the 91 victims, all of whom are from New South Wales (NSW) or Queensland, and have informed their parents. QPS acting assistant commissioner Col Briggs, during the press conference, said an “extensive examination was launched to identify the children in the pictures” as soon as police were made aware of them. However, four children remain unidentified and they are working with the international authorities on the alleged abuse by the man overseas. “This is one of the most horrific child abuse cases that I’ve seen in nearly 40 years of policing,” said NSW state police assistant commissioner Michael Fitzgerald. He added, “It’s beyond the realms of anyone’s imagination what this person did to these children.” Charges against the accused The 45-year-old has been charged with 1,623 child abuse charges, including 136 counts of rape and 110 counts of sexual intercourse with a child under 10, alleged to have taken place in Brisbane, Sydney and overseas between 2007 and 2022. Operation Tenterfield Operation Tenterfield, in part focussed on identifying the children in the alleged child abuse material recorded at childcare centres began in August 2022 with 35 members, said Gough, adding that it had been “complex” and required “highly skilled victim identification specialists”. In September, last year, AFP coordinated a joint agency task force with the QPS at the Australian Centre to Counter Child Exploitation to review nearly 4,000 images and videos the man had allegedly created. “Given there were so many alleged images and videos of children recorded over 15 years on the alleged offender’s devices, the process of identification took time, skill and determination,” said Gough. He added, “While I am extremely proud of law enforcement’s persistence and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender, and stop further abuse, this is chilling news.” What now? Some of the alleged victims are now over 18. The man, who has not been named, is scheduled to face Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 21. Fitzgerald said the man would also face 180 child sex abuse charges against 23 victims aged one to five in NSW. “Once this man faces the AFP charges in Queensland, we will be seeking to extradite him to Sydney to face the full force of the law in NSW,” said state police assistant commissioner. He also said that the NSW police has decided that it would not call a single victim witness to prosecute the case to save them from being re-traumatised. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Explained | Australian man charged with 1,623 sexual abuse offences: Here's what happened

As a #MeToo wave sweeps Taiwan, the nation has amended three laws governing sexual harassment in a special session of the legislature.

The changes which were approved on Monday, include tougher penalties and also grant victims a longer time to come forward and report the incidents. These changes, as per the news agency AP, are an attempt to address the issues raised by recent accusations of sexual violence on the island.

<h2>Taiwan's sexual harassment laws</h2>

The island nation has three laws governing sexual harassment, one each for workplaces, schools, and a third one that covers spheres outside the other two domains.

<h2>Sexual harassment at workplace</h2>

Amending the first one, lawmakers have made it so that employers can be fined up to a million New Taiwan Dollars (around $31,680) for failure to address&nbsp;sexual harassment complaints in workplaces.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/netflix-show-wave-makers-creates-waves-in-taiwan-triggers-flood-of-metoo-complaints-604651">Netflix show 'Wave Makers' creates waves in Taiwan, triggers flood of #MeToo complaints</a>

Employers are also required to report cases to the local division of their labour department.&nbsp;

Additionally, plugging loopholes, lawmakers have mandated that small businesses with less than 30 but more than 10 employees must set up mechanisms for reporting sexual harassment. Earlier, small businesses were exempt from the requirement and given that more than 90 per cent of businesses in the nation have 30 people or fewer, this was a significant omission.

<h2>Sexual harassment in schools</h2>

The law for educational institutions was amended on Friday and it explicitly makes romantic relationships between educators and students under the age of 18 years illegal.

Further, principals and teachers who fail to report sexual harassment to the Ministry of Education within 24 hours can be fined under the amended law.

Overall, the penalty for sexual harassment under Taiwan's Sexual Harassment Prevention Act has&nbsp;been raised to three years in jail, which can come with the heaviest fine of 600,000 New Taiwan dollars ($19,000).

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-study-shows-why-sexual-assault-victims-hesitate-to-come-forward-immediately-603065">Study shows why sexual assault victims hesitate to come forward immediately</a>

The nation's #MeToo movement was reignited in May. As per AP, back then, Chen Chien-jou, a young woman working for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, had accused film director Hsueh Chao-hui of groping her and making unwanted sexual advances.

In the first two weeks of June, the island nation saw more than 90 people come forward, accusing individuals across Taiwan.&nbsp;

Spreading throughout Taiwanese society, these complaints, as per a BBC report, targeted doctors, professors, sporting umpires, YouTubers, and high-profile men like Tiananmen protest leader Wang Dan, and exiled poet Bei Ling.

As a #MeToo wave sweeps Taiwan, the nation has amended three laws governing sexual harassment in a special session of the legislature. The changes which were approved on Monday, include tougher penalties and also grant victims a longer time to come forward and report the incidents.

As a #MeToo wave sweeps Taiwan, the nation has amended three laws governing sexual harassment in a special session of the legislature. The changes which were approved on Monday, include tougher penalties and also grant victims a longer time to come forward and report the incidents. These changes, as per the news agency AP, are an attempt to address the issues raised by recent accusations of sexual violence on the island. Taiwan's sexual harassment laws The island nation has three laws governing sexual harassment, one each for workplaces, schools, and a third one that covers spheres outside the other two domains. Sexual harassment at workplace Amending the first one, lawmakers have made it so that employers can be fined up to a million New Taiwan Dollars (around $31,680) for failure to address sexual harassment complaints in workplaces. Also read | Netflix show 'Wave Makers' creates waves in Taiwan, triggers flood of #MeToo complaints Employers are also required to report cases to the local division of their labour department. Additionally, plugging loopholes, lawmakers have mandated that small businesses with less than 30 but more than 10 employees must set up mechanisms for reporting sexual harassment. Earlier, small businesses were exempt from the requirement and given that more than 90 per cent of businesses in the nation have 30 people or fewer, this was a significant omission. Sexual harassment in schools The law for educational institutions was amended on Friday and it explicitly makes romantic relationships between educators and students under the age of 18 years illegal. Further, principals and teachers who fail to report sexual harassment to the Ministry of Education within 24 hours can be fined under the amended law. Overall, the penalty for sexual harassment under Taiwan's Sexual Harassment Prevention Act has been raised to three years in jail, which can come with the heaviest fine of 600,000 New Taiwan dollars ($19,000). Also read | Study shows why sexual assault victims hesitate to come forward immediately The nation's #MeToo movement was reignited in May. As per AP, back then, Chen Chien-jou, a young woman working for the ruling Democratic Progressive Party, had accused film director Hsueh Chao-hui of groping her and making unwanted sexual advances. In the first two weeks of June, the island nation saw more than 90 people come forward, accusing individuals across Taiwan. Spreading throughout Taiwanese society, these complaints, as per a BBC report, targeted doctors, professors, sporting umpires, YouTubers, and high-profile men like Tiananmen protest leader Wang Dan, and exiled poet Bei Ling.

Hit with wave of #MeToo allegations, Taiwan toughens sexual harassment laws

A former childcare worker in Australia has been charged with more than 1,600 child abuse offences, including the rape&nbsp;of 91 young girls. The man committed the abuses at a dozen early learning centres, spread across Brisbane, Sydney and overseas over a 15-year period.&nbsp;

Not only did the man rape the kids, but he also filmed them&nbsp;and later distributed the content online, especially over the dark net. The police became aware of&nbsp;the 45-year-old Gold Coast childcare worker’s alleged offences after identifying a video discovered on the dark web in 2014.&nbsp;

He was arrested last year in August while executing warrants at his home and other addresses, and the police discovered a hard drive filled with child abuse material of young girls.&nbsp;

According to Australian media reports, the man is facing a cumulative 1,623 child abuse charges, including 246 counts of rape, and 637 counts of&nbsp;indecent assault,&nbsp;alleged to have taken place from 2007 to 2022.

Authorities investigating the case have described&nbsp;it as one of the most "horrific" cases they have ever seen.

"It's beyond the realms of anyone's imagination, what this person did to these children. You try not to be shocked after a long period of time in the police... but this is a horrific case," Australian Federal Police (AFP)&nbsp;Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough was quoted as saying by BBC.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/trending/france-husband-accused-of-drugging-her-wife-and-inviting-51-strangers-to-rape-her-over-a-decade-607275">Also read |&nbsp;France: Husband accused of 'drugging' wife, inviting 51 strangers to rape her over a decade</a>

<h2>Operation&nbsp;Tenterfield</h2>

Gough said all 87 Australian girls recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been identified, and their parents&nbsp;informed about horrific events. The AFP is now working with international authorities to identify the four children who were molested in the recordings created overseas.&nbsp;

“Given there were so many alleged images and videos of children recorded over 15 years on the alleged offender’s devices, the process of identification took time, skill and determination,” Gough said, informing that the kids had been identified under Operation Tenterfield.&nbsp;&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-serial-killer-severs-a-crocodiles-head-604520">WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: Serial killer severs a crocodile's head</a>

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“While I am extremely proud of law enforcement’s persistence, and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender and stop further abuse, this is chilling news.”

Notably, the man had been reported to the Queensland police in 2021 and 2022 as well. However, the investigators found insufficient evidence to act against him. He is now scheduled to appear in the&nbsp;Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 21 to face further music for his crimes.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A former childcare worker in Australia has been charged with more than 1,600 child abuse offences, including the rape of 91 young girls. The man committed the abuses at a dozen early learning centres, spread across Brisbane, Sydney and overseas over a 15-year period.

A former childcare worker in Australia has been charged with more than 1,600 child abuse offences, including the rape of 91 young girls. The man committed the abuses at a dozen early learning centres, spread across Brisbane, Sydney and overseas over a 15-year period. Not only did the man rape the kids, but he also filmed them and later distributed the content online, especially over the dark net. The police became aware of the 45-year-old Gold Coast childcare worker’s alleged offences after identifying a video discovered on the dark web in 2014. He was arrested last year in August while executing warrants at his home and other addresses, and the police discovered a hard drive filled with child abuse material of young girls. According to Australian media reports, the man is facing a cumulative 1,623 child abuse charges, including 246 counts of rape, and 637 counts of indecent assault, alleged to have taken place from 2007 to 2022. Authorities investigating the case have described it as one of the most "horrific" cases they have ever seen. "It's beyond the realms of anyone's imagination, what this person did to these children. You try not to be shocked after a long period of time in the police... but this is a horrific case," Australian Federal Police (AFP) Assistant Commissioner Justine Gough was quoted as saying by BBC. Also read | France: Husband accused of 'drugging' wife, inviting 51 strangers to rape her over a decade Operation Tenterfield Gough said all 87 Australian girls recorded in the alleged child abuse material have been identified, and their parents informed about horrific events. The AFP is now working with international authorities to identify the four children who were molested in the recordings created overseas. “Given there were so many alleged images and videos of children recorded over 15 years on the alleged offender’s devices, the process of identification took time, skill and determination,” Gough said, informing that the kids had been identified under Operation Tenterfield. WATCH | Gravitas: Serial killer severs a crocodile's head × “While I am extremely proud of law enforcement’s persistence, and their unwavering dedication to identify this alleged offender and stop further abuse, this is chilling news.” Notably, the man had been reported to the Queensland police in 2021 and 2022 as well. However, the investigators found insufficient evidence to act against him. He is now scheduled to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on August 21 to face further music for his crimes. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'Beyond anyone's imaginations...': Australian childcare worker charged with 1,623 child abuse offences

A damning report coming from the Punjab province of Pakistan has revealed that more boys are subjected to sexual abuse than girls. The 'confidential' report accessed by Dawn newspaper has been compiled by the home department which presents a terrifying ordeal for the authorities as well as the victims.&nbsp;

In the first five and a half months of 2023, a total of 1,390 incidents of child abuse were reported in Punjab, out of which 959 (69 per cent) were against boys while 431 (31 per cent) were against girls.

The child abuse data was collected region-wise using the field staff. The most number of child abuse incidents (220) were reported in&nbsp;Gujranwala region/division followed by DG Khan (199). Other regions such as&nbsp;Faisalabad (186), Multan (140), Bahawalpur (129), Sheikhupura (128), Sahiwal (127) and Sargodha (103) did not fare any better.

The findings unveiled that Rawalpindi region (69) and Lahore City (89)&nbsp;reported the lowest crime against children than other divisions of the province.&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;

Of the total registered FIRs, challans were submitted in 799 cases, 441 were currently under investigation and 149 had been closed/dismissed. Disturbingly enough, out of the total sexual abusers facing trial, 55 per cent were the neighbours of the victim, 32 per cent were strangers and 13 per cent were relatives.&nbsp;

“The child sexual abuse is influenced by a range of social factors in Pakistan, and patriarchal norms, power imbalances, poverty, illiteracy and social inequalities contribute to the vulnerability of the children,"&nbsp;the report reads.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/pakistan-lookback-at-shehbaz-sharifs-year-as-prime-minister-581400">WATCH |&nbsp;Pakistan: Lookback at Shehbaz Sharif's year as Prime Minister</a>

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<h2>Majority of cases remain unreported</h2>

Although, these were not the absolute numbers as most cases did not see the light of day.&nbsp;The report mentioned that the unwillingness of the parents to subject their children to legal and medical hassle was one of the reasons why sexual abuse cases remained underreported.&nbsp;

“It is also a matter of concern that a number of cases remain unreported. In our society, fear and cultural taboos make it difficult to report the crime," read the report.&nbsp;

“Besides other factors responsible for the child abuse are socio-economic stresses, unemployment, low self-confidence and feelings of incompetence, loneliness and psychological unrest," it added.&nbsp;

An Associated Press report in 2020 noted that the majority of sexual abuse crimes against children in Pakistan took place in religious schools. There are more than 22,000 registered madrassas in Pakistan, teaching more than two million children. But many more religious schools are unregistered.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/child-sex-abuse-in-pakistans-religious-schools-is-endemic-293291">Also read |&nbsp;Child sex abuse in Pakistan's religious schools is endemic</a>

Police say the problem of sexual abuse of children by clerics is pervasive and the scores of police reports they have received are just the tip of the iceberg. 
Families in Pakistan are often coerced into "forgiving" clerics, leading to an increase in such cases.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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A damning report coming from the Punjab province of Pakistan has revealed that more boys are subjected to sexual abuse than girls. The 'confidential' report accessed by Dawn newspaper has been compiled by the home department which presents a terrifying ordeal for the authorities as well as the victims.

A damning report coming from the Punjab province of Pakistan has revealed that more boys are subjected to sexual abuse than girls. The 'confidential' report accessed by Dawn newspaper has been compiled by the home department which presents a terrifying ordeal for the authorities as well as the victims. In the first five and a half months of 2023, a total of 1,390 incidents of child abuse were reported in Punjab, out of which 959 (69 per cent) were against boys while 431 (31 per cent) were against girls. The child abuse data was collected region-wise using the field staff. The most number of child abuse incidents (220) were reported in Gujranwala region/division followed by DG Khan (199). Other regions such as Faisalabad (186), Multan (140), Bahawalpur (129), Sheikhupura (128), Sahiwal (127) and Sargodha (103) did not fare any better. The findings unveiled that Rawalpindi region (69) and Lahore City (89) reported the lowest crime against children than other divisions of the province. Of the total registered FIRs, challans were submitted in 799 cases, 441 were currently under investigation and 149 had been closed/dismissed. Disturbingly enough, out of the total sexual abusers facing trial, 55 per cent were the neighbours of the victim, 32 per cent were strangers and 13 per cent were relatives. “The child sexual abuse is influenced by a range of social factors in Pakistan, and patriarchal norms, power imbalances, poverty, illiteracy and social inequalities contribute to the vulnerability of the children," the report reads. WATCH | Pakistan: Lookback at Shehbaz Sharif's year as Prime Minister × Majority of cases remain unreported Although, these were not the absolute numbers as most cases did not see the light of day. The report mentioned that the unwillingness of the parents to subject their children to legal and medical hassle was one of the reasons why sexual abuse cases remained underreported. “It is also a matter of concern that a number of cases remain unreported. In our society, fear and cultural taboos make it difficult to report the crime," read the report. “Besides other factors responsible for the child abuse are socio-economic stresses, unemployment, low self-confidence and feelings of incompetence, loneliness and psychological unrest," it added. An Associated Press report in 2020 noted that the majority of sexual abuse crimes against children in Pakistan took place in religious schools. There are more than 22,000 registered madrassas in Pakistan, teaching more than two million children. But many more religious schools are unregistered. Also read | Child sex abuse in Pakistan's religious schools is endemic Police say the problem of sexual abuse of children by clerics is pervasive and the scores of police reports they have received are just the tip of the iceberg. Families in Pakistan are often coerced into "forgiving" clerics, leading to an increase in such cases. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Shocking report reveals more boys are sexually abused than girls in Pakistan's Punjab

Sixteen children, aged between 10 and 18, have been rescued in the Philippines after Australian police discovered sexually explicit material on the phone of a man arrested in Sydney. A joint global cooperation between the&nbsp;Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) led to the amazing rescue.&nbsp;

As per CNN, the PNP executed warrants at multiple locations in the Metro Manila area and a province in Northern Philippines, leading to the recovery of the abused children. The joint effort was aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse.

<h2>How the rescue unfolded</h2>

The investigation, as per CNN, began in January when the Australian Border Force intercepted a 56-year-old man from Queensland upon his return to Sydney from the Philippines.&nbsp;

An examination of the man's phone revealed child abuse material and messages outlining his intentions to engage in the sexual abuse of children in the Philippines.&nbsp;

The man was subsequently charged with grooming and possession of child abuse material, offences that carry a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. However, he failed to appear for a scheduled court appearance on May 30, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/massive-phosphate-deposit-found-in-norway-could-meet-global-battery-demand-for-100-years-612193">A paradigm shift? Massive phosphate deposit found in Norway, could meet global battery demand for 100 years</a>

<h2>Importance of international efforts in combating child abuse</h2>

"This case highlights how vital it is for law enforcement agencies to share intelligence and resources globally because predators are not confined by borders," said Detective Superintendent Andrew Perkins, the AFP's senior officer in Manila.

"However, these children’s lives have been irrecoverably damaged and we know there are too many other children still at risk," added the officer.

Efforts are ongoing to locate additional suspected victims, and the children rescued have been placed under the care of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bidens-approval-rating-plummets-to-new-low-as-trump-gains-momentum-612215">Biden’s approval rating plummets to new low as Trump gains momentum</a>

Police Colonel Portia Manalad, chief of the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center, emphasised the necessity of international cooperation in combating such crimes and said that the PNP could not tackle this crime alone.&nbsp;

She highlighted the importance of collaboration with partners like the AFP to apprehend offenders and rescue child victims.&nbsp;"We must collaborate with our international partners, such as the AFP, to arrest offenders and rescue child victims."&nbsp;

The Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC), established in 2019 through a joint effort involving the Philippines, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, as per CNN, has played a pivotal role in combating child abuse.&nbsp;Since its inception, it has rescued 611 victims&nbsp;and apprehended 127 facilitators.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Sixteen children, aged between 10 and 18, have been rescued in the Philippines after Australian police discovered sexually explicit material on the phone of a man arrested in Sydney.

Sixteen children, aged between 10 and 18, have been rescued in the Philippines after Australian police discovered sexually explicit material on the phone of a man arrested in Sydney. A joint global cooperation between the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Philippine National Police (PNP) led to the amazing rescue. As per CNN, the PNP executed warrants at multiple locations in the Metro Manila area and a province in Northern Philippines, leading to the recovery of the abused children. The joint effort was aimed at combating child exploitation and abuse. How the rescue unfolded The investigation, as per CNN, began in January when the Australian Border Force intercepted a 56-year-old man from Queensland upon his return to Sydney from the Philippines. An examination of the man's phone revealed child abuse material and messages outlining his intentions to engage in the sexual abuse of children in the Philippines. The man was subsequently charged with grooming and possession of child abuse material, offences that carry a potential maximum sentence of 15 years in prison. However, he failed to appear for a scheduled court appearance on May 30, resulting in an arrest warrant being issued. Also read | A paradigm shift? Massive phosphate deposit found in Norway, could meet global battery demand for 100 years Importance of international efforts in combating child abuse "This case highlights how vital it is for law enforcement agencies to share intelligence and resources globally because predators are not confined by borders," said Detective Superintendent Andrew Perkins, the AFP's senior officer in Manila. "However, these children’s lives have been irrecoverably damaged and we know there are too many other children still at risk," added the officer. Efforts are ongoing to locate additional suspected victims, and the children rescued have been placed under the care of the Philippine Department of Social Welfare and Development. Also read | Biden’s approval rating plummets to new low as Trump gains momentum Police Colonel Portia Manalad, chief of the Philippine National Police Women and Children Protection Center, emphasised the necessity of international cooperation in combating such crimes and said that the PNP could not tackle this crime alone. She highlighted the importance of collaboration with partners like the AFP to apprehend offenders and rescue child victims. "We must collaborate with our international partners, such as the AFP, to arrest offenders and rescue child victims." The Philippine Internet Crimes Against Children Center (PICACC), established in 2019 through a joint effort involving the Philippines, Australia, the United Kingdom, and the Netherlands, as per CNN, has played a pivotal role in combating child abuse. Since its inception, it has rescued 611 victims and apprehended 127 facilitators. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

How discovery of explicit material on a phone in Sydney led to rescue  of 16 abused children in Philippines

Art is a reflection of the society. Paintings, movies, music, and even TV shows can help be a mirror. Proving this, a Netflix show has sparked a local MeToo movement in Taiwan. The country is experiencing a surge of sexual harassment and assault allegations, triggered by the show called ' Wave Makers'.&nbsp;

<h2>The outpouring of sexual harassment cases</h2>

Over the past two weeks, more than 90 people have come forward, accusing individuals across the island nation.&nbsp;

Initially, the allegations focused on politics and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), leading to the resignation of several senior officials.&nbsp;

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/lifestyle/news-study-shows-why-sexual-assault-victims-hesitate-to-come-forward-immediately-603065">Study shows why sexual assault victims hesitate to come forward immediately</a>

However, now the accusations have spread throughout Taiwanese society, targeting doctors, professors, sporting umpires, and YouTubers.

<h2>Better late than never!</h2>

As per a BBC report, the MeToo moment is long overdue for many women across Taiwanese society, which is otherwise commended globally for its progressive politics and commitment to gender equality.&nbsp;

President Tsai Ing-wen, the country's first female leader, has apologised and pledged to implement reforms.&nbsp;

According to social commentator Dr Liu Wen, the magnitude of these revelations and the exposure of underlying issues across various industries is unprecedented.

"Previously we had single cases around sexual harassment, but never in such magnitude."

"It's the first time a lot of the underlying issues in different industries are being revealed all at the same time," added Wen.

<h2>'Wave Makers' makes waves</h2>

The screen inspiration behind this important local moment as mentioned is a Netflix show called Wave Makers. The show about Taiwanese political staffers working on an election debuted on Netflix in late April.

A scene from the show has been credited as the clarion call for the MeToo moment now sweeping Taiwan.

In it, a young female aide finds herself alone with her mentor — a party spokeswoman and the show's main character.&nbsp;

On-screen, she is seen debating whether to confide in her senior the harassment she had endured from a male colleague "knowing that a public report would harm the party's standing and likely her own career", writes the BBC.

However, she finally decides to tell her and her confession is met with an offer of help.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/hollywood/news-black-panther-actor-tenoch-huerta-denies-sexual-harassment-allegations-need-to-contest-claims-that-are-false-604471">Black Panther actor Tenoch Huerta denies sexual harassment allegations: Need to contest claims that are false</a>

"Let's not just let this go, ok," says the woman's senior, brushing away her staffer's concerns.&nbsp;

"We can't let things go this easily. Otherwise, we'll wither away and die."

Echoing the now iconic dialogue, on May 31, an ex-DPP staffer wrote an essay on Facebook.

"Let's not just let this go," wrote Chen Chiemn-jou. She went on to describe her experience of being sexually harassed at a work event. She alleges that when she had reported the harassment earlier, a female supervisor in charge of the party's women's affairs - had asked her "Why didn't you say anything?", before advising her to bury the claim.

<h2>Taiwan's #MeToo movement</h2>

Chen's post electrified Taiwan. The post which has been shared thousands of times, as per BBC, appears to have motivated others in politics and beyond to report their experiences of harassment and how authorities responded.

Another ex-DPP female staffer later alleged her male supervisor had verbally abused her and stymied her complaint about another male colleague's harassment.

Several senior DPP officials, including Hsu Chia-tien, the supervisor in Chen's case, who was suspended by the party, and Yen Chih-fa, an adviser to the president who has denied accusations of sexual harassment by a campaigner have resigned.

In addition to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan has also faced allegations of sexual harassment.&nbsp;

A journalist accused KMT lawmaker Fu Kun-chi of forcibly kissing her at a press event in 2014, which Fu has denied.&nbsp;

Another KMT councillor alleged harassment by a well-known media personality, who apologised for his behaviour, citing being drunk and having no recollection of the events.

More than 90 cases of sexual harassment and assault have been documented in an online database.&nbsp;

Among the high-profile men accused are Tiananmen protest leader Wang Dan, who has denied sexual assault allegations from two younger men, and exiled poet Bei Ling, who has been accused by a writer of the Wave Makers show of sexual assault, which he denies.&nbsp;

Polish diplomat Bartosz Ryś is another high-profile name. He has been accused of sexual assault by a Taiwanese think tank researcher, but prosecutors investigated the incident and decided not to charge him. Ryś has denied the allegations.

While this moment signifies a reckoning and an opportunity to address gender and sexual abuse in Taiwan, survivors find themselves thrust into a traumatic public conversation.&nbsp;Many remain sceptical of lasting change.

The MeToo movement in Taiwan has emerged at a significant time in the country's political landscape as it prepares for a presidential election next January.&nbsp;

The TV show's screenwriters, who sparked the initial wave of allegations, expressed their surprise at the public response. Talking to BBC, they explained that "through idealised depictions of addressing workplace harassment in drama, people can find a shared language to express their expectations of how such issues should be handled."

(With inputs from agencies)

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Art is a reflection of the society. Paintings, movies, music, and even TV shows can help be a mirror. Proving this, a Netflix show has sparked a local MeToo movement in Taiwan.

Art is a reflection of the society. Paintings, movies, music, and even TV shows can help be a mirror. Proving this, a Netflix show has sparked a local MeToo movement in Taiwan. The country is experiencing a surge of sexual harassment and assault allegations, triggered by the show called ' Wave Makers'. The outpouring of sexual harassment cases Over the past two weeks, more than 90 people have come forward, accusing individuals across the island nation. Initially, the allegations focused on politics and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), leading to the resignation of several senior officials. Also read | Study shows why sexual assault victims hesitate to come forward immediately However, now the accusations have spread throughout Taiwanese society, targeting doctors, professors, sporting umpires, and YouTubers. Better late than never! As per a BBC report, the MeToo moment is long overdue for many women across Taiwanese society, which is otherwise commended globally for its progressive politics and commitment to gender equality. President Tsai Ing-wen, the country's first female leader, has apologised and pledged to implement reforms. According to social commentator Dr Liu Wen, the magnitude of these revelations and the exposure of underlying issues across various industries is unprecedented. "Previously we had single cases around sexual harassment, but never in such magnitude." "It's the first time a lot of the underlying issues in different industries are being revealed all at the same time," added Wen. 'Wave Makers' makes waves The screen inspiration behind this important local moment as mentioned is a Netflix show called Wave Makers. The show about Taiwanese political staffers working on an election debuted on Netflix in late April. A scene from the show has been credited as the clarion call for the MeToo moment now sweeping Taiwan. In it, a young female aide finds herself alone with her mentor — a party spokeswoman and the show's main character. On-screen, she is seen debating whether to confide in her senior the harassment she had endured from a male colleague "knowing that a public report would harm the party's standing and likely her own career", writes the BBC. However, she finally decides to tell her and her confession is met with an offer of help. Also read | Black Panther actor Tenoch Huerta denies sexual harassment allegations: Need to contest claims that are false "Let's not just let this go, ok," says the woman's senior, brushing away her staffer's concerns. "We can't let things go this easily. Otherwise, we'll wither away and die." Echoing the now iconic dialogue, on May 31, an ex-DPP staffer wrote an essay on Facebook. "Let's not just let this go," wrote Chen Chiemn-jou. She went on to describe her experience of being sexually harassed at a work event. She alleges that when she had reported the harassment earlier, a female supervisor in charge of the party's women's affairs - had asked her "Why didn't you say anything?", before advising her to bury the claim. Taiwan's #MeToo movement Chen's post electrified Taiwan. The post which has been shared thousands of times, as per BBC, appears to have motivated others in politics and beyond to report their experiences of harassment and how authorities responded. Another ex-DPP female staffer later alleged her male supervisor had verbally abused her and stymied her complaint about another male colleague's harassment. Several senior DPP officials, including Hsu Chia-tien, the supervisor in Chen's case, who was suspended by the party, and Yen Chih-fa, an adviser to the president who has denied accusations of sexual harassment by a campaigner have resigned. In addition to the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP), the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party in Taiwan has also faced allegations of sexual harassment. A journalist accused KMT lawmaker Fu Kun-chi of forcibly kissing her at a press event in 2014, which Fu has denied. Another KMT councillor alleged harassment by a well-known media personality, who apologised for his behaviour, citing being drunk and having no recollection of the events. More than 90 cases of sexual harassment and assault have been documented in an online database. Among the high-profile men accused are Tiananmen protest leader Wang Dan, who has denied sexual assault allegations from two younger men, and exiled poet Bei Ling, who has been accused by a writer of the Wave Makers show of sexual assault, which he denies. Polish diplomat Bartosz Ryś is another high-profile name. He has been accused of sexual assault by a Taiwanese think tank researcher, but prosecutors investigated the incident and decided not to charge him. Ryś has denied the allegations. While this moment signifies a reckoning and an opportunity to address gender and sexual abuse in Taiwan, survivors find themselves thrust into a traumatic public conversation. Many remain sceptical of lasting change. The MeToo movement in Taiwan has emerged at a significant time in the country's political landscape as it prepares for a presidential election next January. The TV show's screenwriters, who sparked the initial wave of allegations, expressed their surprise at the public response. Talking to BBC, they explained that "through idealised depictions of addressing workplace harassment in drama, people can find a shared language to express their expectations of how such issues should be handled." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Netflix show 'Wave Makers' creates waves in Taiwan, triggers flood of #MeToo complaints

JPMorgan Chase has hit back at the US Virgin Islands government after the latter brought in a lawsuit accusing the banking giant of empowering disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of teenage girls.&nbsp;

Lawyers representing the bank in the Manhattan federal court said the Virgin Islands was complicit in Epstein's act and that high-ranking officials of the country were bought off by him.

“He gave them money, advice, influence, and favours. In exchange, they shielded and even rewarded him,” providing lucrative tax breaks worth millions of dollars, they wrote.

“For two decades, and for long after JPMC exited Epstein as a client, the entity that most directly failed to protect public safety and most actively facilitated and benefited from Epstein’s continued criminal activity was the plaintiff in this case — the USVI government itself," the lawyers added.&nbsp;

Reflecting on the statements from the defence,&nbsp;the&nbsp;US Virgin Islands attorney general’s office said it was an attempt to deflect the blame.&nbsp;

“This is an obvious attempt to shift blame away from JPMorgan Chase, which had a legal responsibility to report the evidence in its possession of Epstein’s human trafficking, and failed to do so," read the statement.&nbsp;

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/epsteins-private-islands-sold-to-billionaire-investor-for-60-million-588757">ALSO READ |&nbsp;Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million&nbsp;</a>

<h2>The lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase</h2>

The Virgin Islands government sued the bank&nbsp;in December last year, alleging that it knew about Epstein's predatory behaviour. It added that the bank turned a blind eye to evidence of human trafficking for over a decade as Epstein's account and the clients he brought to the bank made him extremely valuable.&nbsp;

Earlier, US Virgin Islands subpoenaed documents from billionaire Elon Musk&nbsp;as part of its lawsuit against the bank.&nbsp;Google co-founder Larry Page was also to be served the same legal document but the government failed to locate him.

The government said it had been unable to locate Page, who co-founded and co-owns Alphabet Inc, despite good faith attempts, which included hiring an investigative firm to search public record databases.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/private-islands-owned-by-jeffrey-epstein-588779">WATCH |&nbsp;Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein</a>

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<h2>Jeffrey Epstein - a monster</h2>

Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005.

However, the majority of his sexual exploits took place on the&nbsp;72-acre Little St. James Island which he purchased&nbsp;in 1998 for $7.95 million. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016.&nbsp;

Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 of paying young girls for massages but served just 13 months in jail under a secret plea deal. He died under mysterious circumstances at&nbsp;the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York in 2019, with the authorities terming it a 'suicide'.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

WATCH WION LIVE HERE:&nbsp;

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JPMorgan Chase has hit back at the US Virgin Islands government after the latter brought in a lawsuit accusing the banking giant of empowering disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of teenage girls.

JPMorgan Chase has hit back at the US Virgin Islands government after the latter brought in a lawsuit accusing the banking giant of empowering disgraced paedophile Jeffrey Epstein's abuse of teenage girls. Lawyers representing the bank in the Manhattan federal court said the Virgin Islands was complicit in Epstein's act and that high-ranking officials of the country were bought off by him. “He gave them money, advice, influence, and favours. In exchange, they shielded and even rewarded him,” providing lucrative tax breaks worth millions of dollars, they wrote. “For two decades, and for long after JPMC exited Epstein as a client, the entity that most directly failed to protect public safety and most actively facilitated and benefited from Epstein’s continued criminal activity was the plaintiff in this case — the USVI government itself," the lawyers added. Reflecting on the statements from the defence, the US Virgin Islands attorney general’s office said it was an attempt to deflect the blame. “This is an obvious attempt to shift blame away from JPMorgan Chase, which had a legal responsibility to report the evidence in its possession of Epstein’s human trafficking, and failed to do so," read the statement. ALSO READ | Jeffrey Epstein’s private islands sold to billionaire investor for $60 million The lawsuit against JPMorgan Chase The Virgin Islands government sued the bank in December last year, alleging that it knew about Epstein's predatory behaviour. It added that the bank turned a blind eye to evidence of human trafficking for over a decade as Epstein's account and the clients he brought to the bank made him extremely valuable. Earlier, US Virgin Islands subpoenaed documents from billionaire Elon Musk as part of its lawsuit against the bank. Google co-founder Larry Page was also to be served the same legal document but the government failed to locate him. The government said it had been unable to locate Page, who co-founded and co-owns Alphabet Inc, despite good faith attempts, which included hiring an investigative firm to search public record databases. WATCH | Private Islands owned by Jeffrey Epstein Jeffrey Epstein - a monster Epstein was accused of sexually exploiting dozens of underage girls, some as young as 14, at his homes in Manhattan and Palm Beach, Florida between 2002 and 2005. However, the majority of his sexual exploits took place on the 72-acre Little St. James Island which he purchased in 1998 for $7.95 million. He later bought the 160-acre Great St. James Island for $20 million in 2016. Epstein was convicted in Florida in 2008 of paying young girls for massages but served just 13 months in jail under a secret plea deal. He died under mysterious circumstances at the Metropolitan Correctional Centre in New York in 2019, with the authorities terming it a 'suicide'. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

JPMorgan Chase hits back at US Virgin Islands after being blamed for Jeffrey Epstein’s sex crimes

Journalist E. Jean Carroll has requested a US court judge to amend her initial defamation case in which she received $5 million in damages, to include Donald Trump's recent statements at a CNN town hall.

Journalist E. Jean Carroll has requested a US court judge to amend her initial defamation case in which she received $5 million in damages, to include Donald Trump's recent statements at a CNN town hall. The former president repeated his claims at the interview which Carroll believes was another attempt at defaming her. According to Carroll's attorney, Trump's statements directly go to the issue of punitive damages which are intended to punish the person found liable. Notably, a day after a nine-member jury found Trump liable for sexually abusing and defaming the Elle magazine writer, he called her a 'whack job' on CNN. He added that Carroll was telling a "made-up story" and that he didn't know her, which according to Carroll's lawyers, comes under the category of further "defamatory statements". "Trump’s defamatory statements post-verdict show the depth of his malice toward Carroll since it is hard to imagine defamatory conduct that could possibly be more motivated by hatred, ill will, or spite," the complaint reads. "This conduct supports a very substantial punitive damages award in Carroll’s favor both to punish Trump, to deter him from engaging in further defamation, and to deter others from doing the same," it added. The Manhattan Federal Court earlier this month announced the verdict and awarded $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Carroll. The nine-member jury, comprising six men and three women, reached a unanimous verdict in less than three hours but did not agree with Carroll’s allegation that the former president raped her. WATCH | Donald Trump sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll, US jury rules × What did Carroll claim? The 79-year-old former columnist at Elle Magazine has claimed that Trump raped her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York, in the spring of 1996. During her testimony, Carroll said Trump's actions shattered her and she had been trying to get her life back. “I’m here because Donald Trump raped me, and when I wrote about it, he said it didn’t happen. He lied and shattered my reputation and I’m here to try to get my life back,” Carroll testified. A victory for all women: Carroll After receiving the verdict in her favour, Carroll termed it a 'victory' for all women who are victims of sexual assault. “The old view of the perfect victim was a woman who always screamed. A woman who immediately reported. A woman whose life was supposed to fold up and she’s never supposed to experience happiness again,” said Carroll. ALSO READ | 'This verdict is for all women': E. Jean Carroll after jury holds Trump guilty of sexually abusing her “That was just shut down with this verdict, the death of the perfect victim has happened. Now this verdict is for all women," she added. Quizzed about what was going through her mind when the jury said they were not convinced that Trump raped her, Carroll said, “Well, I just immediately (said) in my own head, ‘Oh, yes, he did. Oh yes, he did.’” (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

E. Jean Carroll seeks new damages after Trump's CNN town hall tirade

After the testimony of a whistleblower who was raped on a base and forced to leave the forces was published by the parliament’s Defence sub-committee, MPs of UK renewed calls for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to move rape cases out of the court martial system.

The testimony of the servicewoman was published on Thursday, May 18. Her story is one of the eight cases revealing continuing rape and sexual abuse in the UK military. Other reported cases include charges of sexual assault and abuse in the past two years and senior officers dismissing complaints.&nbsp;

<h2>Fear for recriminations</h2>

The servicewoman, who was raped on a base by someone she had been in a casual relationship with, was at first hesitant to report the incident “for fear of recriminations”. She was then advised by her military GP to “choose her partners more carefully in future”.

<h2>Institutional misogyny&nbsp;</h2>

As reported in the Guardian, a second doctor persuaded her to report the incident to her chain of command, even after which no action was taken against her abuser. It was decided by the senior officers, in consultation with the second doctor that it was necessary “for the career of the rapist and the elite unit he served in” to keep him in place.

ALSO READ |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/major-japanese-talent-agency-apologises-over-sexual-assault-claims-592596">Major Japanese talent agency apologises over sexual assault claims</a>

Meanwhile, the woman was “moved across country, out of that elite unit, against her will”, while she waited for mental health treatment. A year later, she was medically discharged but told to leave the armed forces “against her will”.

Another incident of a servicewoman being “groped, forcibly kissed” during a Christmas unit party was not taken seriously by her seniors. Rather she was told that “it was Christmas, and a party” and “she should understand that things get a little out of hand”.

Commenting on the issue, the committee’s chair MP Sarah Atherton said that the British military exhibits “a wider culture of institutional misogyny” despite repeated promises of reform.&nbsp;

<h2>Two-thirds of serving women suffer bullying and sexual harassment</h2>

An inquiry into women in the armed forces based on testimonies submitted to MPs on the defence select committee conducted by Atherton in 2021, concluded that nearly two-thirds of women serving in the armed forces are victims of bullying, sexual harassment and face discrimination during their career.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Gravitas: UK police officers face sexual assault charges

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Atherton further commented on the issue by stating that the testimonies reinforce the group’s view that cases of rape and sexual assault within the service should be handled by civilian courts.

The move, which was first proposed in a 2021 parliamentary report into the experiences of servicewomen, was rejected upon the recommendation from the MoD.&nbsp;

However, MoD has unveiled a few reforms such as the removal of the chain of command from the complaints process and the termination of officials found guilty on accounts of sexual harassment.&nbsp; 
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After the testimony of a whistleblower who was raped on a base and forced to leave the forces was published by the parliament’s Defence sub-committee, MPs of UK renewed calls for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to move rape cases out of the court martial system.

After the testimony of a whistleblower who was raped on a base and forced to leave the forces was published by the parliament’s Defence sub-committee, MPs of UK renewed calls for the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to move rape cases out of the court martial system. The testimony of the servicewoman was published on Thursday, May 18. Her story is one of the eight cases revealing continuing rape and sexual abuse in the UK military. Other reported cases include charges of sexual assault and abuse in the past two years and senior officers dismissing complaints. Fear for recriminations The servicewoman, who was raped on a base by someone she had been in a casual relationship with, was at first hesitant to report the incident “for fear of recriminations”. She was then advised by her military GP to “choose her partners more carefully in future”. Institutional misogyny As reported in the Guardian, a second doctor persuaded her to report the incident to her chain of command, even after which no action was taken against her abuser. It was decided by the senior officers, in consultation with the second doctor that it was necessary “for the career of the rapist and the elite unit he served in” to keep him in place. ALSO READ | Major Japanese talent agency apologises over sexual assault claims Meanwhile, the woman was “moved across country, out of that elite unit, against her will”, while she waited for mental health treatment. A year later, she was medically discharged but told to leave the armed forces “against her will”. Another incident of a servicewoman being “groped, forcibly kissed” during a Christmas unit party was not taken seriously by her seniors. Rather she was told that “it was Christmas, and a party” and “she should understand that things get a little out of hand”. Commenting on the issue, the committee’s chair MP Sarah Atherton said that the British military exhibits “a wider culture of institutional misogyny” despite repeated promises of reform. Two-thirds of serving women suffer bullying and sexual harassment An inquiry into women in the armed forces based on testimonies submitted to MPs on the defence select committee conducted by Atherton in 2021, concluded that nearly two-thirds of women serving in the armed forces are victims of bullying, sexual harassment and face discrimination during their career. WATCH | Gravitas: UK police officers face sexual assault charges × Atherton further commented on the issue by stating that the testimonies reinforce the group’s view that cases of rape and sexual assault within the service should be handled by civilian courts. The move, which was first proposed in a 2021 parliamentary report into the experiences of servicewomen, was rejected upon the recommendation from the MoD. However, MoD has unveiled a few reforms such as the removal of the chain of command from the complaints process and the termination of officials found guilty on accounts of sexual harassment. WATCH WION LIVE HERE ×

Whistleblower reveals continuing sexual abuse of women in UK military

After a nine-member jury found former US president Donald Trump guilty of sexually abusing and defaming journalist E. Jean Carroll, the latter has termed it a 'victory' for all women who are victims of sexual assault, in an interview with CNN.

After a nine-member jury found former US president Donald Trump guilty of sexually abusing and defaming journalist E. Jean Carroll, the latter has termed it a 'victory' for all women who are victims of sexual assault, in an interview with CNN. The Manhattan Federal Court on Tuesday announced the verdict and awarded $5 million in compensatory and punitive damages to Carroll. “The old view of the perfect victim was a woman who always screamed. A woman who immediately reported. A woman whose life was supposed to fold up and she’s never supposed to experience happiness again,” said Carroll in the interview. “That was just shut down with this verdict, the death of the perfect victim has happened. Now this verdict is for all women," she added. Quizzed about what was going through her mind when the jury said they were not convinced that Trump raped her, Carroll said, “Well, I just immediately (said) in my own head, ‘Oh, yes, he did. Oh yes, he did.’” Carroll added that when she shook hands with Trump's attorney Joe Tacopina, she told him, “He did it. And you know it.” Notably, the nine-member jury, comprising six men and three women, reached a unanimous verdict in less than three hours but did not agree with Carroll’s allegation that the former president raped her. “I’m really sort of taking in the moment and the overwhelming flood of a lot of hate that’s part of it. There’s a sort of a feeling of victory that, at last, somebody has held him accountable in a courtroom,” she added. WATCH | Donald Trump sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll, US jury rules × What did Carroll claim? The 79-year-old former columnist at Elle Magazine has claimed that Trump raped her at Bergdorf Goodman, a luxury department store based on Fifth Avenue in Midtown Manhattan, New York, in the spring of 1996. During her testimony, Carroll said Trump's actions shattered her and she had been trying to get her life back. “I’m here because Donald Trump raped me, and when I wrote about it, he said it didn’t happen. He lied and shattered my reputation and I’m here to try to get my life back,” Carroll testified. Trump's testimony Days before the verdict, video footage of Trump testifying in front of the court in October last year was released. In the video, Trump looked rather nonchalant and denied the allegations brought against him. “It’s a disgrace. Frankly, it’s a disgrace that something like this can be brought,” Trump said in the video, referring to Carroll’s claim that he raped her in a luxury Manhattan department store. Trump repeated his previous comment saying he was engaging in 'locker room talk' and justified his remarks about famous people being able to have their way with women. “Historically, that’s true with stars…If you look over the last million years, I guess that’s been largely true. Not always, but largely true. Unfortunately or fortunately," said Trump. When attorney Roberta Kaplan asked if he considered himself a star, Trump responded, "I think you can say that, yeah." (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

'This verdict is for all women': E. Jean Carroll after jury holds Trump guilty of sexually abusing her

Donald Trump on Tuesday found liable for sexually abusing advice columnist E Jean Carroll in the 1990s, with the jury awarding her $5 million. The jury also held Trump accused of defaming Carroll by branding her a liar.

Donald Trump sexually abused writer E Jean Carroll, US jury rules

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