'Men, do better': Londoners hold vigil for Sarah Everard; Police revolts

The London police has announced that the "human remains" found in woodland near Ashford have been identified to be of Sarah Everard, the 33-year-old woman who went missing a few days ago.

Sarah Everard was a 33-year-old marketing executive who had gone missing while walking home from a friend's apartment in south London on March 03 evening.

"The body has now been recovered and a formal identification procedure has taken place. I can now confirm that it is the body of Sarah Everard," Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Nick Ephgrave told reporters.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/uk-baroness-call-for-6-pm-curfew-for-men-after-sarah-everards-murder-369961">UK baroness call for 6 pm curfew for men after Sarah Everard's murder</a>

This latest development has also come after detectives had been allotted more time to interrogate a serving member of the Metropolitan Police's elite diplomatic protection unit in connection with the case.

Ephgrave said hundreds of officers of MeT are "working around the clock to establish the full circumstances of Sarah's disappearance and her murder."

He also reported that a man is still in custody at the London police station "on suspicion of committing those crimes".

This case has sent shockwaves across the globe as it has highlighted the sad situation of women safety in the world, especially in a 'developed' city as London.

After the incident, officers of MeT went knocking on doors to urge women not to step out of their homes alone after sunset for their own safety.&nbsp;

This attracted massive criticism from locals and social media users who called for better security, instead of imposing restrictions on women.&nbsp;

Talking on the same lines, the baroness Jenny Jones suggested imposing a curfew for men instead of asking women to stay indoors.

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The Green peer <a href="https://twitter.com/GreenJennyJones?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GreenJennyJones</a> is a serious and impressive person and she doesn't make jokes. I completely understand where she is coming from here. <a href="https://t.co/bqTC7gxXuW">pic.twitter.com/bqTC7gxXuW</a>
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) <a href="https://twitter.com/theJeremyVine/status/1370072136900087811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"In the week that Sarah Everard was abducted and, we suppose, killed -- because remains have been found in a woodland in Kent -- I argue that, at the next opportunity for any bill that is appropriate, I might put in an amendment to create a curfew for men on the streets after," she said during a debate on domestic violence in the UK Parliament's House of Lords on Wednesday. "I feel this would make women a lot safer, and discrimination of all kinds would be lessened."

The London police has announced that the "human remains" found in woodland near Ashford have been identified to be of Sarah Everard, the 33-year-old woman who went missing a few days ago.

The London police has announced that the "human remains" found in woodland near Ashford have been identified to be of Sarah Everard, the 33-year-old woman who went missing a few days ago. Sarah Everard was a 33-year-old marketing executive who had gone missing while walking home from a friend's apartment in south London on March 03 evening. "The body has now been recovered and a formal identification procedure has taken place. I can now confirm that it is the body of Sarah Everard," Metropolitan Police assistant commissioner Nick Ephgrave told reporters. Also read | UK baroness call for 6 pm curfew for men after Sarah Everard's murder This latest development has also come after detectives had been allotted more time to interrogate a serving member of the Metropolitan Police's elite diplomatic protection unit in connection with the case. Ephgrave said hundreds of officers of MeT are "working around the clock to establish the full circumstances of Sarah's disappearance and her murder." He also reported that a man is still in custody at the London police station "on suspicion of committing those crimes". This case has sent shockwaves across the globe as it has highlighted the sad situation of women safety in the world, especially in a 'developed' city as London. After the incident, officers of MeT went knocking on doors to urge women not to step out of their homes alone after sunset for their own safety. This attracted massive criticism from locals and social media users who called for better security, instead of imposing restrictions on women. Talking on the same lines, the baroness Jenny Jones suggested imposing a curfew for men instead of asking women to stay indoors. The Green peer @GreenJennyJones is a serious and impressive person and she doesn't make jokes. I completely understand where she is coming from here. pic.twitter.com/bqTC7gxXuW — Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 11, 2021 × "In the week that Sarah Everard was abducted and, we suppose, killed -- because remains have been found in a woodland in Kent -- I argue that, at the next opportunity for any bill that is appropriate, I might put in an amendment to create a curfew for men on the streets after," she said during a debate on domestic violence in the UK Parliament's House of Lords on Wednesday. "I feel this would make women a lot safer, and discrimination of all kinds would be lessened."

UK: London police identifies body of missing Sarah Everard

After the horrifying murder of the 33-year-old London woman, Sarah Everard, a left-wing baroness has suggested a 6 pm curfew for men to keep women safe.

Sarah Everard went missing shortly after 9 pm on March 03 while walking home from&nbsp;friends' apartment in south London. Upon investigation, the Metropolitan Police Service (MeT) has found "what appears to be human remains" in woodland near Ashford.

"At this early stage we are not able to confirm any identity, and indeed that may take us some considerable time," said the head of MeT.

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The Green peer <a href="https://twitter.com/GreenJennyJones?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@GreenJennyJones</a> is a serious and impressive person and she doesn't make jokes. I completely understand where she is coming from here. <a href="https://t.co/bqTC7gxXuW">pic.twitter.com/bqTC7gxXuW</a>
— Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) <a href="https://twitter.com/theJeremyVine/status/1370072136900087811?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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This case has sent shockwaves across the globe as it has highlighted the sad situation of women safety in the world, especially in a 'developed' city as London.

As per reports, Everard was walking towards her home on a well-lit main road and had also contacted her friend/boyfriend during her walk. She was also spotted wearing bright-coloured clothes, which is usual precaution women are told to exercise.

Following, Everard's case the local police warned women not to go out alone in areas such as Claphan or Brixton. The police officers also went knocking door-to-door to urge women to not step out alone.

This has raised concerns from women all over the world. talking on the same lines, the baroness Jenny Jones suggested imposing a curfew for men instead of asking women to stay indoors.

"In the week that Sarah Everard was abducted and, we suppose, killed -- because remains have been found in a woodland in Kent -- I argue that, at the next opportunity for any bill that is appropriate, I might put in an amendment to create a curfew for men on the streets after," she said during a debate on domestic violence in the UK Parliament's House of Lords on Wednesday. "I feel this would make women a lot safer, and discrimination of all kinds would be lessened."

Her call for curfew was met with mixed reactions from locals on social media platforms. While many supported the idea and appreciated her for providing a tit-for-tat answer to MeT police's appeal of women staying indoors, some also protested the idea, calling it a joke.

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Since my comments about a curfew for men to keep women safe, I've had a deluge of misogynistic emails and tweets. Which rather proves my point about the problem being with men ...
— Jenny Jones (@GreenJennyJones) <a href="https://twitter.com/GreenJennyJones/status/1370072178213990406?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 11, 2021</a></blockquote>
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"Since my comments about a curfew for men to keep women safe, I've had a deluge of misogynistic emails and tweets. Which rather proves my point about the problem being with men," Jones tweeted.

After the horrifying murder of the 33-year-old London woman, Sarah Everard, a left-wing baroness has suggested a 6 pm curfew for men to keep women safe. Sarah Everard went missing shortly after 9 pm on March 03 while walking home from friends' apartment in south London.

After the horrifying murder of the 33-year-old London woman, Sarah Everard, a left-wing baroness has suggested a 6 pm curfew for men to keep women safe. Sarah Everard went missing shortly after 9 pm on March 03 while walking home from friends' apartment in south London. Upon investigation, the Metropolitan Police Service (MeT) has found "what appears to be human remains" in woodland near Ashford. "At this early stage we are not able to confirm any identity, and indeed that may take us some considerable time," said the head of MeT. The Green peer @GreenJennyJones is a serious and impressive person and she doesn't make jokes. I completely understand where she is coming from here. pic.twitter.com/bqTC7gxXuW — Jeremy Vine (@theJeremyVine) March 11, 2021 × This case has sent shockwaves across the globe as it has highlighted the sad situation of women safety in the world, especially in a 'developed' city as London. As per reports, Everard was walking towards her home on a well-lit main road and had also contacted her friend/boyfriend during her walk. She was also spotted wearing bright-coloured clothes, which is usual precaution women are told to exercise. Following, Everard's case the local police warned women not to go out alone in areas such as Claphan or Brixton. The police officers also went knocking door-to-door to urge women to not step out alone. This has raised concerns from women all over the world. talking on the same lines, the baroness Jenny Jones suggested imposing a curfew for men instead of asking women to stay indoors. "In the week that Sarah Everard was abducted and, we suppose, killed -- because remains have been found in a woodland in Kent -- I argue that, at the next opportunity for any bill that is appropriate, I might put in an amendment to create a curfew for men on the streets after," she said during a debate on domestic violence in the UK Parliament's House of Lords on Wednesday. "I feel this would make women a lot safer, and discrimination of all kinds would be lessened." Her call for curfew was met with mixed reactions from locals on social media platforms. While many supported the idea and appreciated her for providing a tit-for-tat answer to MeT police's appeal of women staying indoors, some also protested the idea, calling it a joke. Since my comments about a curfew for men to keep women safe, I've had a deluge of misogynistic emails and tweets. Which rather proves my point about the problem being with men ... — Jenny Jones (@GreenJennyJones) March 11, 2021 × "Since my comments about a curfew for men to keep women safe, I've had a deluge of misogynistic emails and tweets. Which rather proves my point about the problem being with men," Jones tweeted.

UK baroness call for 6 pm curfew for men after Sarah Everard's murder

Faulted for its failure to end systematic sexual abuse by a former Ohio State University team physician, the state medical board in Ohio has reopened 91 sexual assault cases against other doctors and medical professionals in the state, officials said Wednesday.

The State Medical Board of Ohio will also review an additional 42 previously closed sexual assault cases to determine if doctors who might have had knowledge of sexual misconduct failed to report it to the authorities, according to a state task force.

Ohio State’s longtime former director of student health services is a focus of the reopened investigation into failed reporting, the group said in a 173-page final report that was released Wednesday.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bahrain-police-beat-threaten-detained-children-with-rape-rights-groups-say-369625">Bahrain police beat, threaten detained children with rape, rights groups say</a>

The task force was created by Gov. Mike DeWine in May 2019 in response to a wide-ranging sex-abuse scandal involving Richard Strauss, a former team doctor at the state’s flagship public university.

Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005, was implicated in the abuse of at least 177 students. His victims included football players, wrestlers and other athletes who had been treated for injuries or underwent physical examinations before their seasons began. He was a professor at the university from 1978-98.

“The Medical Board has made real and meaningful strides toward ensuring that never again would it fail to act when it holds credible, actionable information about one of its licensees, such as it had with Strauss,” the group’s report said.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trial-by-media-australias-attorney-general-denies-rape-allegations-in-emotional-speech-367564">Trial by media? Australia's attorney general denies rape allegations in emotional speech</a>

In response to the abuse scandal, the medical board re-examined 1,254 sexual impropriety cases going back 25 years, the task force said. The board had considered 213 cases for further examination but ultimately decided to treat 91 of them as active cases, according to the task force’s findings, which were reported earlier by The Columbus Dispatch.

The remaining cases had either already been the subject of formal action or been deemed not viable, the report said, adding that eight cases had been recommended for referral to law enforcement agencies.

Officials said that changes were warranted in a state law that, for confidentiality purposes, shields information about the outcome of the medical board’s investigations into sexual assault allegations.

“To provide the public the confidence that a case like Richard Strauss’s will never again go without action, the State Medical Board of Ohio is committed to providing sunshine to board processes and complaint information,” the board said in a January letter to the task force.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/new-york-governor-faces-more-serious-accusation-from-the-sixth-woman-369573">&nbsp;New York governor faces more serious accusation from the sixth woman</a>

The board said there were obstacles to sharing information about cases.

“Finding the balance for transparency, protection of the licensee’s livelihood, patient information and whistle blower protection entails a complicated legal analysis with much stakeholder input,” the board said in the letter. “The board’s efforts for transparency will continue over the next calendar year, and likely beyond.”

Officials also said they were renewing their scrutiny of Dr. Ted Grace, who was Ohio State’s student health services director from 1992 to 2007, to determine if he had failed to report the pattern of sexual abuse by Strauss.

Grace, now the director of student health services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday night.

In a letter sanctioning Grace last year, Ohio’s medical board said that he had been aware of three separate complaints of sexual misconduct against Strauss by three male students and had failed to report them to the board.

The students complained that Strauss had inappropriately touched their genital areas for extended periods during examinations, and one accused Strauss of pressing his erect penis against the student’s leg.

Grace, whose medical license remains active in Ohio, told The Southern Illinoisan last year that “I did the best I could” and he said he had reported Strauss’ misconduct to a university administrator.

Last year, Ohio State said it would pay $41 million to resolve some of the lawsuits stemming from several hundred sexual assault claims against Strauss. The university president at the time said that Ohio State had failed the victims. On Wednesday, university officials declined to comment further.

A spokesperson for DeWine did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.

Faulted for its failure to end systematic sexual abuse by a former Ohio State University team physician, the state medical board in Ohio has reopened 91 sexual assault cases against other doctors and medical professionals in the state, officials said Wednesday.

Faulted for its failure to end systematic sexual abuse by a former Ohio State University team physician, the state medical board in Ohio has reopened 91 sexual assault cases against other doctors and medical professionals in the state, officials said Wednesday. The State Medical Board of Ohio will also review an additional 42 previously closed sexual assault cases to determine if doctors who might have had knowledge of sexual misconduct failed to report it to the authorities, according to a state task force. Ohio State’s longtime former director of student health services is a focus of the reopened investigation into failed reporting, the group said in a 173-page final report that was released Wednesday. Also read | Bahrain police beat, threaten detained children with rape, rights groups say The task force was created by Gov. Mike DeWine in May 2019 in response to a wide-ranging sex-abuse scandal involving Richard Strauss, a former team doctor at the state’s flagship public university. Strauss, who died by suicide in 2005, was implicated in the abuse of at least 177 students. His victims included football players, wrestlers and other athletes who had been treated for injuries or underwent physical examinations before their seasons began. He was a professor at the university from 1978-98. “The Medical Board has made real and meaningful strides toward ensuring that never again would it fail to act when it holds credible, actionable information about one of its licensees, such as it had with Strauss,” the group’s report said. Also read | Trial by media? Australia's attorney general denies rape allegations in emotional speech In response to the abuse scandal, the medical board re-examined 1,254 sexual impropriety cases going back 25 years, the task force said. The board had considered 213 cases for further examination but ultimately decided to treat 91 of them as active cases, according to the task force’s findings, which were reported earlier by The Columbus Dispatch. The remaining cases had either already been the subject of formal action or been deemed not viable, the report said, adding that eight cases had been recommended for referral to law enforcement agencies. Officials said that changes were warranted in a state law that, for confidentiality purposes, shields information about the outcome of the medical board’s investigations into sexual assault allegations. “To provide the public the confidence that a case like Richard Strauss’s will never again go without action, the State Medical Board of Ohio is committed to providing sunshine to board processes and complaint information,” the board said in a January letter to the task force. Also read | New York governor faces more serious accusation from the sixth woman The board said there were obstacles to sharing information about cases. “Finding the balance for transparency, protection of the licensee’s livelihood, patient information and whistle blower protection entails a complicated legal analysis with much stakeholder input,” the board said in the letter. “The board’s efforts for transparency will continue over the next calendar year, and likely beyond.” Officials also said they were renewing their scrutiny of Dr. Ted Grace, who was Ohio State’s student health services director from 1992 to 2007, to determine if he had failed to report the pattern of sexual abuse by Strauss. Grace, now the director of student health services at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, did not immediately respond to requests for comment Wednesday night. In a letter sanctioning Grace last year, Ohio’s medical board said that he had been aware of three separate complaints of sexual misconduct against Strauss by three male students and had failed to report them to the board. The students complained that Strauss had inappropriately touched their genital areas for extended periods during examinations, and one accused Strauss of pressing his erect penis against the student’s leg. Grace, whose medical license remains active in Ohio, told The Southern Illinoisan last year that “I did the best I could” and he said he had reported Strauss’ misconduct to a university administrator. Last year, Ohio State said it would pay $41 million to resolve some of the lawsuits stemming from several hundred sexual assault claims against Strauss. The university president at the time said that Ohio State had failed the victims. On Wednesday, university officials declined to comment further. A spokesperson for DeWine did not immediately respond to a request for comment Wednesday night.

Ohio medical board reopens 91 sexual assault cases involving doctors and medical professionals

Another woman has accused New York City Governor Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment. The unknown staffer is the sixth women to accuse Cuomo of the wrongdoing.

Another women accuses Andrew Cuomo of sexual harassment, sixth woman to come forward

In a shocking and eye-opening survey, a survey from UN Women UK has revealed that virtually all young women in the UK have faced sexual harassment at least once.

This survey dealt with the age group of 18-24, out of which 97 per cent of young women said they have been sexually harassed and 80 per cent of women of all ages said they have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces in the UK.

Talking about how this is a grave situation that is worsening with every passing day, Claire Barnett, executive director of UN Women UK said, "this is a human rights crisis. It’s just not enough for us to keep saying ‘this is too difficult a problem for us to solve’ – it needs addressing now."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/one-in-three-women-have-already-suffered-physical-violence-world-health-organization-369207">One in three women have already suffered physical violence: World Health Organization</a>

These findings were a result of a YouGov survey conducted with more than 1,000 female participants. The survey was shown exclusively to the media house Guardian, which revealed the horrifyingly decreased lack of faith of women in the UK authorities.

Barnett also highlighted how women are having to change their behaviour to make sure they are safe. "We are looking at a situation where younger women are constantly modifying their behaviour in an attempt to avoid being objectified or attacked, and older women are reporting serious concerns about personal safety if they ever leave the house in the dark – even during the daytime in winter," Barnett said.

In the YouGov survey, 96 per cent of women said they did not even report the incidents, of which 45 per cent said they didn't report as they felt it would not change anything.

Also watch |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-international-womens-day-368982" hreflang="en">Gravitas: International Women's Day</a>

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-international-womens-day-368982/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

Also, women who had been groped, followed or manipulated into sexual activity said they felt the crime was not serious enough to be reported, the UN Women UK said.

The organisation has also collected stories of nearly 400 women where they described their experiences and their diminishing trust in public spaces. As a part of the UN Women UK's Safe Spaces Now project, the organisation has sent an open letter to leaders urging better and safer designed public spaces, along with increased protection and facilities.&nbsp;

"We've collected stories and ideas from over 1,000 women and girls, and now we’re taking those demands to the owners and administrators of public spaces, asking them to implement our solutions now, in time for the UK’s end to lockdown," the statement on their website reads.

In a shocking and eye-opening survey, a survey from UN Women UK has revealed that virtually all young women in the UK have faced sexual harassment at least once.

In a shocking and eye-opening survey, a survey from UN Women UK has revealed that virtually all young women in the UK have faced sexual harassment at least once. This survey dealt with the age group of 18-24, out of which 97 per cent of young women said they have been sexually harassed and 80 per cent of women of all ages said they have experienced sexual harassment in public spaces in the UK. Talking about how this is a grave situation that is worsening with every passing day, Claire Barnett, executive director of UN Women UK said, "this is a human rights crisis. It’s just not enough for us to keep saying ‘this is too difficult a problem for us to solve’ – it needs addressing now." Also read | One in three women have already suffered physical violence: World Health Organization These findings were a result of a YouGov survey conducted with more than 1,000 female participants. The survey was shown exclusively to the media house Guardian, which revealed the horrifyingly decreased lack of faith of women in the UK authorities. Barnett also highlighted how women are having to change their behaviour to make sure they are safe. "We are looking at a situation where younger women are constantly modifying their behaviour in an attempt to avoid being objectified or attacked, and older women are reporting serious concerns about personal safety if they ever leave the house in the dark – even during the daytime in winter," Barnett said. In the YouGov survey, 96 per cent of women said they did not even report the incidents, of which 45 per cent said they didn't report as they felt it would not change anything. Also watch | Gravitas: International Women's Day Also, women who had been groped, followed or manipulated into sexual activity said they felt the crime was not serious enough to be reported, the UN Women UK said. The organisation has also collected stories of nearly 400 women where they described their experiences and their diminishing trust in public spaces. As a part of the UN Women UK's Safe Spaces Now project, the organisation has sent an open letter to leaders urging better and safer designed public spaces, along with increased protection and facilities. "We've collected stories and ideas from over 1,000 women and girls, and now we’re taking those demands to the owners and administrators of public spaces, asking them to implement our solutions now, in time for the UK’s end to lockdown," the statement on their website reads.

Almost all young women have been sexually harassed in UK: UN Women

Officials at Fort Bliss, a US Army post in New Mexico and Texas, have moved to court-martial a private first class accused of the sexual assault of a fellow soldier who was found dead on New Year's Eve.

Pfc. Asia Graham was found unresponsive in her barracks on December 31, Fort Bliss said in a press release issued January 2.

Fort Bliss, which is located in El Paso, Texas, has not released the accused soldier's name.

Special agents for the US Army Criminal Investigation Command do not suspect foul play in her death, the release added.

According to a statement released by Lt. Col. Allie Payne, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs Officer, Graham initially reported an alleged sexual assault by a fellow soldier at Fort Bliss on June 1.

Graham said the assault occurred in December 2019, according to the statement.&nbsp;

Pfc. Graham was a Human Resource Specialist who joined the US. Army in July 2019 from Cherryville, North Carolina. Fort Bliss was her first duty station, the release said.

Following her report last June, the base command began an investigation and put in place a military protective order, as well as making sure that Graham and the accused soldier were not living in the same building or working in the same areas.

Officials at Fort Bliss, a US Army post in New Mexico and Texas, have moved to court-martial a private first class accused of the sexual assault of a fellow soldier who was found dead on New Year's Eve.

Officials at Fort Bliss, a US Army post in New Mexico and Texas, have moved to court-martial a private first class accused of the sexual assault of a fellow soldier who was found dead on New Year's Eve. Pfc. Asia Graham was found unresponsive in her barracks on December 31, Fort Bliss said in a press release issued January 2. Fort Bliss, which is located in El Paso, Texas, has not released the accused soldier's name. Special agents for the US Army Criminal Investigation Command do not suspect foul play in her death, the release added. According to a statement released by Lt. Col. Allie Payne, 1st Armored Division and Fort Bliss Public Affairs Officer, Graham initially reported an alleged sexual assault by a fellow soldier at Fort Bliss on June 1. Graham said the assault occurred in December 2019, according to the statement. Pfc. Graham was a Human Resource Specialist who joined the US. Army in July 2019 from Cherryville, North Carolina. Fort Bliss was her first duty station, the release said. Following her report last June, the base command began an investigation and put in place a military protective order, as well as making sure that Graham and the accused soldier were not living in the same building or working in the same areas.

Soldier in US faces court-martial in alleged sexual assault of fellow soldier found dead

One of France's most prominent political commentators is facing a criminal investigation after being accused of the sexual abuse of his stepson, in the latest taboo-breaking scandal to rock the French intellectual elite.

Olivier Duhamel, 70, who has described the incest allegations as "personal attacks", is accused in a new book, written by his stepdaughter Camille Kouchner, of abusing her twin brother when they were aged 14.

Paris prosecutors said Tuesday they were opening an investigation into Duhamel over suspected rape and sexual abuse of a minor by a person in authority. He has stepped down from all his media and academic posts amid the furore.

The book "La Familia grande", which is due to be published on Thursday, has shocked French intellectual circles given Duhamel's prominence and close connections to the elite.

While many commentators have cast France as being slow to break longstanding taboos over the abuse of minors, this is not the first such controversy to make headlines over the last year.

Publisher Vanessa Springora, in a book published in January 2020, accused prize-winning writer Gabriel Matzneff of abusing her while she was a minor. Film star Adele Haenel in November 2019 accused director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her when she was in her early teens.

Haenel and other French actresses also in February last year walked out of France's Cesar awards after filmmaker Roman Polanski -- wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977 –- won best director.

'I knew and said nothing'

Duhamel said on Twitter that he was resigning from all his posts following the allegations, including as head of the National Foundation of Political Sciences (FNSP), a body that oversees the hugely prestigious Sciences Po university.

"I am stepping down from my posts after being the target of personal attacks as I want to preserve the institutions in which I work," said Duhamel, who also until now presented a show on Europe 1 radio and is an analyst on LCI TV.

Camille Kouchner, now 45 and a lecturer, and her twin brother are the children of France's former foreign minister and co-founder of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) medical charity Bernard Kouchner and academic Evelyne Pisier, who died in 2017.

Kouchner and Pisier separated and she went on to marry Duhamel.

"I was 14 years old and let it go ahead. I was 14, I knew and said nothing," Camille Kouchner wrote in the book.

In the book, she names her brother only as "Victor" in order to protect his privacy. But Le Monde daily said he had read the text twice and was happy for his sister to speak on his behalf.

"I confirm that what my sister has written concerning the actions of Olivier Duhamel towards me is correct," "Victor" told Le Monde, without commenting further.

'Heavy secret'

In an interview with L'Obs magazine, Kouchner said the book revealed to what extent Duhamel's and Pisier's group of leftist intellectual friends, some of them household names in France, knew what was going on.

"Of course, I thought my book might seem obscene because of my family's fame. Then I thought to myself, this is exactly what needs to be done," she said.

In the book, she alleges a de-facto omerta had protected her stepfather from the truth being widely known.

"Very quickly, the people in power, Saint-Germain-des-Pres (the traditional hub in Paris for leftist thinkers) were aware. Many knew and most acted as if nothing had happened."

The book says that after his mother's death, "Victor" told his father Bernard Kouchner about what had happened. He pledged to confront Duhamel but was persuaded against doing so by Camille herself, on the grounds "Victor" wanted the family to move on.

In a statement released by his lawyer, Bernard Kouchner said that a "heavy secret that has been weighing on us for too long has happily been lifted. I applaud the courage of my daughter Camille".

One of France's most prominent political commentators is facing a criminal investigation after being accused of the sexual abuse of his stepson, in the latest taboo-breaking scandal to rock the French intellectual elite.

One of France's most prominent political commentators is facing a criminal investigation after being accused of the sexual abuse of his stepson, in the latest taboo-breaking scandal to rock the French intellectual elite. Olivier Duhamel, 70, who has described the incest allegations as "personal attacks", is accused in a new book, written by his stepdaughter Camille Kouchner, of abusing her twin brother when they were aged 14. Paris prosecutors said Tuesday they were opening an investigation into Duhamel over suspected rape and sexual abuse of a minor by a person in authority. He has stepped down from all his media and academic posts amid the furore. The book "La Familia grande", which is due to be published on Thursday, has shocked French intellectual circles given Duhamel's prominence and close connections to the elite. While many commentators have cast France as being slow to break longstanding taboos over the abuse of minors, this is not the first such controversy to make headlines over the last year. Publisher Vanessa Springora, in a book published in January 2020, accused prize-winning writer Gabriel Matzneff of abusing her while she was a minor. Film star Adele Haenel in November 2019 accused director Christophe Ruggia of sexually harassing her when she was in her early teens. Haenel and other French actresses also in February last year walked out of France's Cesar awards after filmmaker Roman Polanski -- wanted in the US for the statutory rape of a 13-year-old girl in 1977 –- won best director. 'I knew and said nothing' Duhamel said on Twitter that he was resigning from all his posts following the allegations, including as head of the National Foundation of Political Sciences (FNSP), a body that oversees the hugely prestigious Sciences Po university. "I am stepping down from my posts after being the target of personal attacks as I want to preserve the institutions in which I work," said Duhamel, who also until now presented a show on Europe 1 radio and is an analyst on LCI TV. Camille Kouchner, now 45 and a lecturer, and her twin brother are the children of France's former foreign minister and co-founder of the Medecins Sans Frontieres (MSF) medical charity Bernard Kouchner and academic Evelyne Pisier, who died in 2017. Kouchner and Pisier separated and she went on to marry Duhamel. "I was 14 years old and let it go ahead. I was 14, I knew and said nothing," Camille Kouchner wrote in the book. In the book, she names her brother only as "Victor" in order to protect his privacy. But Le Monde daily said he had read the text twice and was happy for his sister to speak on his behalf. "I confirm that what my sister has written concerning the actions of Olivier Duhamel towards me is correct," "Victor" told Le Monde, without commenting further. 'Heavy secret' In an interview with L'Obs magazine, Kouchner said the book revealed to what extent Duhamel's and Pisier's group of leftist intellectual friends, some of them household names in France, knew what was going on. "Of course, I thought my book might seem obscene because of my family's fame. Then I thought to myself, this is exactly what needs to be done," she said. In the book, she alleges a de-facto omerta had protected her stepfather from the truth being widely known. "Very quickly, the people in power, Saint-Germain-des-Pres (the traditional hub in Paris for leftist thinkers) were aware. Many knew and most acted as if nothing had happened." The book says that after his mother's death, "Victor" told his father Bernard Kouchner about what had happened. He pledged to confront Duhamel but was persuaded against doing so by Camille herself, on the grounds "Victor" wanted the family to move on. In a statement released by his lawyer, Bernard Kouchner said that a "heavy secret that has been weighing on us for too long has happily been lifted. I applaud the courage of my daughter Camille".

French political expert accused of incest in new taboo-breaking scandal

In a historic decision, the Lahore High Court has declared virginity tests on&nbsp;sexual assault survivors to be illegal and announced that the practice has "no medical basis" and "offends the personal dignity of the female victim and therefore is against the right to life and right to dignity."

Till now, all sexual assault survivors are put through a virginity test, which is conducted by&nbsp;inspecting the hymen or inserting two fingers into the vagina. This practice, apparently, determines whether or not a woman is a virgin.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/start-reconstruction-of-vandalised-hindu-temple-within-two-weeks-pakistan-supreme-court-354580" hreflang="en">Start reconstruction of vandalised Hindu temple within two weeks: Pakistan Supreme Court</a>

This test is a common practice in a few countries around the globe, especially Pakistan where the test is conducted to assess a girl's "honor or virtue", according to World Health Organization.

However, in&nbsp;a landmark ruling, the Lahore High Court declared this practice to be illegal. The concern&nbsp;was raised in two petitions in June 2020 by&nbsp;a group of women's rights activists, academics, journalists, advocates and a member of the National Assembly who requested a ban on this test claiming it to be 'unscientific, intrusive, demeaning and a source of retraumatization'.

Declaring it to be discriminatory against women, Justice Ayesha Malik said there was "no forensic value in cases of sexual violence" and asked the concerned government officials to issue directives to ensure a written an oral guideline is passed immediately to put a permanent ban on these virginity tests.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pakistani-hazara-families-refuse-to-bury-mach-massacre-victims-354545" hreflang="en">Pakistani Hazara families refuse to bury Mach massacre victims</a>

"Virginity testing is highly invasive, having no scientific or medical requirement, yet carried out in the name of medical protocols in sexual violence cases. It is a humiliating practice, which is used to cast suspicion on the victim, as opposed to focusing on the accused and the incident of sexual violence," Malik said in the official court documents.

Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari took to Twitter to thank Justice malik for her decision and said the decision "is a bold and clear judgement against the demeaning and absurd "two-finger test". A landmark judgement indeed. It also strengthens the ban placed on this test in the anti-rape ordinance against the detractors."

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Justice Ayesha Malik's decision today is a bold and clear judgement against the demeaning and absurd "two-finger test". A landmark judgement indeed. It also strengthens the ban placed on this test in the anti-rape ordinance against the detractors.
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The petitioners and women rights groups applauded the decision by the Lahore High Court and emphasised the impact this decision would have on women's rights in general too. "This is so important because so much emphasis has been placed in our culture as the hymen being signifier of the purity of a woman," said Sahar Bandial, an advocate of the Lahore High Court and one of the lawyers who filed the petition. "There is an inference that the woman is of easy virtue and likely to have consented to sexual activity."

In a historic decision, the Lahore High Court has declared virginity tests on sexual assault survivors to be illegal and announced that the practice has "no medical basis" and "offends the personal dignity of the female victim and therefore is against the right to life and right to dignity.

In a historic decision, the Lahore High Court has declared virginity tests on sexual assault survivors to be illegal and announced that the practice has "no medical basis" and "offends the personal dignity of the female victim and therefore is against the right to life and right to dignity." Till now, all sexual assault survivors are put through a virginity test, which is conducted by inspecting the hymen or inserting two fingers into the vagina. This practice, apparently, determines whether or not a woman is a virgin. Also read| Start reconstruction of vandalised Hindu temple within two weeks: Pakistan Supreme Court This test is a common practice in a few countries around the globe, especially Pakistan where the test is conducted to assess a girl's "honor or virtue", according to World Health Organization. However, in a landmark ruling, the Lahore High Court declared this practice to be illegal. The concern was raised in two petitions in June 2020 by a group of women's rights activists, academics, journalists, advocates and a member of the National Assembly who requested a ban on this test claiming it to be 'unscientific, intrusive, demeaning and a source of retraumatization'. Declaring it to be discriminatory against women, Justice Ayesha Malik said there was "no forensic value in cases of sexual violence" and asked the concerned government officials to issue directives to ensure a written an oral guideline is passed immediately to put a permanent ban on these virginity tests. Also read| Pakistani Hazara families refuse to bury Mach massacre victims "Virginity testing is highly invasive, having no scientific or medical requirement, yet carried out in the name of medical protocols in sexual violence cases. It is a humiliating practice, which is used to cast suspicion on the victim, as opposed to focusing on the accused and the incident of sexual violence," Malik said in the official court documents. Pakistan's Minister for Human Rights Shireen Mazari took to Twitter to thank Justice malik for her decision and said the decision "is a bold and clear judgement against the demeaning and absurd "two-finger test". A landmark judgement indeed. It also strengthens the ban placed on this test in the anti-rape ordinance against the detractors." Justice Ayesha Malik's decision today is a bold and clear judgement against the demeaning and absurd "two-finger test". A landmark judgement indeed. It also strengthens the ban placed on this test in the anti-rape ordinance against the detractors. — Shireen Mazari (@ShireenMazari1) January 4, 2021 × The petitioners and women rights groups applauded the decision by the Lahore High Court and emphasised the impact this decision would have on women's rights in general too. "This is so important because so much emphasis has been placed in our culture as the hymen being signifier of the purity of a woman," said Sahar Bandial, an advocate of the Lahore High Court and one of the lawyers who filed the petition. "There is an inference that the woman is of easy virtue and likely to have consented to sexual activity."

Pakistan bans infamous 'virginity test' on sexual assault survivors

In a historic decision, Lebanon's parliament has passed a bill&nbsp;criminalising sexual harassment, especially in the workplace, and has also brought a positive change in the infamous&nbsp;domestic violence law.

The new law "criminalises sexual harassment, especially in the workplace", the official National News Agency reported.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/pm-imran-khan-in-spotlight-as-pakistan-passes-new-rape-law-350282">PM Imran Khan in spotlight as Pakistan passes new rape law</a>

As per the new law, all perpetrators, if proven guilty, can be sentenced to up to two years of prison time and will be fined 20 times the value of the minimum wage of the country — which amounts up to&nbsp;$450 (675,000 Lebanese pounds).

In addition to this, the parliament also decided that the&nbsp;maximum penalties will be reserved especially for harassment faced by women and others in workplaces and all public and educational institutions.

The Parliament has also expanded the definition of domestic violence — a moe which has been waited for since the legislation's establishment in 2014. Earlier, several activists had criticised the legislation for having a narrow definition of 'domestic violence' and for&nbsp;failing to specifically criminalise marital rape. However, now, the parliament said it "penalises economic and psychological violence".

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/in-a-bid-to-affirm-dignity-of-lgbtq-over-370-religious-leaders-demand-end-to-conversion-therapy-350475">In a bid to affirm dignity of LGBTQ, over 370 religious leaders demand end to conversion therapy</a>

UN Women Lebanon praised the law's endorsement of "important protection-related measures that strengthen the legal framework to end violence against women" in the country.

While the decision has been welcomed by masses, several activists still feel the ruling fails to give full protection and justice to women.

The legislation allows victims to use criminal justice system, instead of civil courts, due to which the victims will have to be named and the cases will be made public. "This is a major obstacle for victims and does not give them the incentive to file complaints," said&nbsp;Karim Nammour, a lawyer.

Another obstacle is that the Parliament has failed to lay down penalties for marital rape. "Marriage to the victim should not exempt a sexual offender from punishment," explained&nbsp;Aya Majzoub, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch in an interview to AFP.

In a historic decision, Lebanon's parliament has passed a bill criminalising sexual harassment, especially in the workplace, and has also brought a positive change in the infamous domestic violence law.

In a historic decision, Lebanon's parliament has passed a bill criminalising sexual harassment, especially in the workplace, and has also brought a positive change in the infamous domestic violence law. The new law "criminalises sexual harassment, especially in the workplace", the official National News Agency reported. Also read| PM Imran Khan in spotlight as Pakistan passes new rape law As per the new law, all perpetrators, if proven guilty, can be sentenced to up to two years of prison time and will be fined 20 times the value of the minimum wage of the country — which amounts up to $450 (675,000 Lebanese pounds). In addition to this, the parliament also decided that the maximum penalties will be reserved especially for harassment faced by women and others in workplaces and all public and educational institutions. The Parliament has also expanded the definition of domestic violence — a moe which has been waited for since the legislation's establishment in 2014. Earlier, several activists had criticised the legislation for having a narrow definition of 'domestic violence' and for failing to specifically criminalise marital rape. However, now, the parliament said it "penalises economic and psychological violence". Also read| In a bid to affirm dignity of LGBTQ, over 370 religious leaders demand end to conversion therapy UN Women Lebanon praised the law's endorsement of "important protection-related measures that strengthen the legal framework to end violence against women" in the country. While the decision has been welcomed by masses, several activists still feel the ruling fails to give full protection and justice to women. The legislation allows victims to use criminal justice system, instead of civil courts, due to which the victims will have to be named and the cases will be made public. "This is a major obstacle for victims and does not give them the incentive to file complaints," said Karim Nammour, a lawyer. Another obstacle is that the Parliament has failed to lay down penalties for marital rape. "Marriage to the victim should not exempt a sexual offender from punishment," explained Aya Majzoub, Lebanon researcher at Human Rights Watch in an interview to AFP.

Historic ruling: Lebanon's parliament criminalises sexual harassment

South Korea’s most infamous rapist was released on Saturday after serving 12 years in prison, sparking angry demonstrations and anonymous death threats that led to an increased police presence outside the predator’s home.

Protesters gathered outside a prison in southern Seoul on Saturday, shouting “Send him to hell!” and “Castrate him!,” as Cho Doo-soon was released.

Cho was arrested in 2008 and later convicted of raping an 8-year-old girl, and his name has since become synonymous with the soft-glove treatment sex offenders are said to receive in the country’s courts.

When Cho, now 68, was released at dawn Saturday, people were still enraged.

“What kind of country is this, protecting such a rapist?” protesters shouted as Cho was driven out in a gray government van under heavy police protection.

Some protesters lay down on the pavement, holding signs and shouting slogans, in an attempt to prevent Cho from leaving. Police officers removed them and built barricades to allow the van carrying Cho to pass. Protesters kicked at the van and hurled eggs and insults at the vehicle. Anonymous death treats were issued against Cho online, forcing the authorities to add more police officers and surveillance cameras around his home.

Public anger has surged in recent months as the date of Cho’s release approached. On Wednesday, the National Assembly passed a bill, nicknamed the “Cho Doo-soon law,” which banned people convicted of sexually assaulting minors from leaving their homes at night or during hours when students commute to and from school. The law also bans such sex offenders from going near schools.

South Korean courts have long been accused of leniency in meting out justice to white-collar criminals and sex offenders.

In April, a 24-year-old man named Son Jong-woo was released from prison after completing an 18-month sentence for running one of the world’s biggest child pornography websites. In July, a local court rejected the U.S. Justice Department’s request to have him extradited to face money-laundering and other charges in an American court.

Women’s rights advocates have said the justice system’s inability to properly punish sex offenders has allowed sexual abuse to proliferate nationwide.

But sex crimes here have also attracted more scrutiny in recent years, coupled with the country’s growing #MeToo movement, and the government has vowed tougher punishments. Last month, a 25-year-old man named Cho Joo-bin was sentenced to 40 years in prison for blackmailing young women, including eight minors, into making sexually explicit videos that he sold through encrypted online chat rooms.

Cho Doo-soon, who is not related to Cho Joo-bin, was drunk when he kidnapped a first-grader on her way to school and raped her in a church restroom in 2008. His drunkenness, age and “weak mental state” were cited as mitigating factors when the court sentenced him to 12 years in prison. The prosecutors, who in South Korea can push for stiffer punishments after sentencing in an appeal, chose not to.

Cho’s pending release from prison captured the attention of many South Koreans and the local news media for weeks. The Justice Ministry had not revealed from which prison Cho would be released on Saturday or at what time. But hundreds of protesters and journalists found out and gathered outside the Seoul prison from which he was released, the Justice Ministry facility in Ansan south of Seoul where Cho made a brief stop, and a house in Ansan where he planned to live with his wife.

Ansan residents have protested his return home, saying that they don’t feel safe with him in their neighborhood.

The police promised round-the-clock monitoring. Cho was seen wearing an electronic ankle monitor when he left prison on Saturday and was ordered to wear it for seven years. His whereabouts and photograph will be available on a government website for registered sex offenders.

The police also installed a monitoring system at his home and will make random visits there to check on him. They also have added 35 surveillance cameras, brighter streetlights and police booths in Cho’s neighborhood to monitor his movements and also deter people who have threatened to attack him. Police officers specially trained in martial arts will patrol his neighborhood.

Cho, wearing a cap and mask, did not respond to questions shouted by reporters on Saturday. But Ko Jeong-dae, a Justice Ministry official assigned to supervise Cho during his post-prison life, said Cho was surprised by the rage directed at him.

“While we were moving in the car, he told me he hadn’t expected this,” Ko told reporters in a briefing. “He said he had committed an unpardonable atrocity and he would live in repentance for the rest of his life.”

South Korea’s most infamous rapist was released on Saturday after serving 12 years in prison, sparking angry demonstrations and anonymous death threats that led to an increased police presence outside the predator’s home.

South Korea’s most infamous rapist was released on Saturday after serving 12 years in prison, sparking angry demonstrations and anonymous death threats that led to an increased police presence outside the predator’s home. Protesters gathered outside a prison in southern Seoul on Saturday, shouting “Send him to hell!” and “Castrate him!,” as Cho Doo-soon was released. Cho was arrested in 2008 and later convicted of raping an 8-year-old girl, and his name has since become synonymous with the soft-glove treatment sex offenders are said to receive in the country’s courts. When Cho, now 68, was released at dawn Saturday, people were still enraged. “What kind of country is this, protecting such a rapist?” protesters shouted as Cho was driven out in a gray government van under heavy police protection. Some protesters lay down on the pavement, holding signs and shouting slogans, in an attempt to prevent Cho from leaving. Police officers removed them and built barricades to allow the van carrying Cho to pass. Protesters kicked at the van and hurled eggs and insults at the vehicle. Anonymous death treats were issued against Cho online, forcing the authorities to add more police officers and surveillance cameras around his home. Public anger has surged in recent months as the date of Cho’s release approached. On Wednesday, the National Assembly passed a bill, nicknamed the “Cho Doo-soon law,” which banned people convicted of sexually assaulting minors from leaving their homes at night or during hours when students commute to and from school. The law also bans such sex offenders from going near schools. South Korean courts have long been accused of leniency in meting out justice to white-collar criminals and sex offenders. In April, a 24-year-old man named Son Jong-woo was released from prison after completing an 18-month sentence for running one of the world’s biggest child pornography websites. In July, a local court rejected the U.S. Justice Department’s request to have him extradited to face money-laundering and other charges in an American court. Women’s rights advocates have said the justice system’s inability to properly punish sex offenders has allowed sexual abuse to proliferate nationwide. But sex crimes here have also attracted more scrutiny in recent years, coupled with the country’s growing #MeToo movement, and the government has vowed tougher punishments. Last month, a 25-year-old man named Cho Joo-bin was sentenced to 40 years in prison for blackmailing young women, including eight minors, into making sexually explicit videos that he sold through encrypted online chat rooms. Cho Doo-soon, who is not related to Cho Joo-bin, was drunk when he kidnapped a first-grader on her way to school and raped her in a church restroom in 2008. His drunkenness, age and “weak mental state” were cited as mitigating factors when the court sentenced him to 12 years in prison. The prosecutors, who in South Korea can push for stiffer punishments after sentencing in an appeal, chose not to. Cho’s pending release from prison captured the attention of many South Koreans and the local news media for weeks. The Justice Ministry had not revealed from which prison Cho would be released on Saturday or at what time. But hundreds of protesters and journalists found out and gathered outside the Seoul prison from which he was released, the Justice Ministry facility in Ansan south of Seoul where Cho made a brief stop, and a house in Ansan where he planned to live with his wife. Ansan residents have protested his return home, saying that they don’t feel safe with him in their neighborhood. The police promised round-the-clock monitoring. Cho was seen wearing an electronic ankle monitor when he left prison on Saturday and was ordered to wear it for seven years. His whereabouts and photograph will be available on a government website for registered sex offenders. The police also installed a monitoring system at his home and will make random visits there to check on him. They also have added 35 surveillance cameras, brighter streetlights and police booths in Cho’s neighborhood to monitor his movements and also deter people who have threatened to attack him. Police officers specially trained in martial arts will patrol his neighborhood. Cho, wearing a cap and mask, did not respond to questions shouted by reporters on Saturday. But Ko Jeong-dae, a Justice Ministry official assigned to supervise Cho during his post-prison life, said Cho was surprised by the rage directed at him. “While we were moving in the car, he told me he hadn’t expected this,” Ko told reporters in a briefing. “He said he had committed an unpardonable atrocity and he would live in repentance for the rest of his life.”

Protests erupt as South Korea’s most notorious rapist walks free

A female counsellor of a Japanese town has been voted out of office after she accused the mayor of the town,&nbsp;Nobutada Kuroiwa, of sexual assault in the past.

Shoko Arai is the only female counsellor of&nbsp;Kusatsu. She claimed the Mayor had "forced (her) into sexual relations" while she was in his office a few years back. The Mayor, however, denied these accusations.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/court-hearing-begins-in-sexual-harassment-case-marking-chinas-metoo-movement-346839">Court hearing begins in sexual harassment case marking China's MeToo movement</a>

However, a few colleagues of her have now hit back at her claiming she has ruined the reputation of their town by making such accusations against the Mayor. They also questioned as to why did she not report the incident earlier. Arai, however, said she had been too afraid to go to the police immediately after the incident.

Arai claimed the 73-year-old Mayor "suddenly pulled me closer, kissed me and pushed (me) down on the floor" so hard that she&nbsp;"couldn't push him back."

The Mayor, however, has denied these accusations claiming the doors and curtains to his office were open on the day Arai has claimed the incident took place. He has also filed a defamation case against the politician now.

Also read|&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/the-22-year-old-force-behind-egypts-growing-metoo-movement-332193">The 22-year-old force behind Egypt’s growing #MeToo movement</a>

The female counsellor was also removed from office by her colleagues who have accused her of passing "scandalous" remarks against the leadership of the town which has negatively affected "the dignity" of the council. While locals tried to overturn the decision, the politicians were able to collect enough signatures from voters to recall the vote. "2,542 out of 2,835 residents who voted supported the recall," town spokesman said.

Arai has slammed this decision as unjust and has vowed&nbsp;she "will not be terrorised by pressure from people with power".

"There is no reason for dismissing me,” she said. “A recall spearheaded by influential figures in the town, such as the mayor and assembly members, runs counter to the philosophy of the recall system."

The lawmakers of the town feel this will be a backward move in their continuous effort of wanting to restore "restoring the damaged reputation of the town".

A female counsellor of a Japanese town has been voted out of office after she accused the mayor of the town, Nobutada Kuroiwa, of sexual assault in the past. Shoko Arai is the only female counsellor of Kusatsu.

A female counsellor of a Japanese town has been voted out of office after she accused the mayor of the town, Nobutada Kuroiwa, of sexual assault in the past. Shoko Arai is the only female counsellor of Kusatsu. She claimed the Mayor had "forced (her) into sexual relations" while she was in his office a few years back. The Mayor, however, denied these accusations. Also read| Court hearing begins in sexual harassment case marking China's MeToo movement However, a few colleagues of her have now hit back at her claiming she has ruined the reputation of their town by making such accusations against the Mayor. They also questioned as to why did she not report the incident earlier. Arai, however, said she had been too afraid to go to the police immediately after the incident. Arai claimed the 73-year-old Mayor "suddenly pulled me closer, kissed me and pushed (me) down on the floor" so hard that she "couldn't push him back." The Mayor, however, has denied these accusations claiming the doors and curtains to his office were open on the day Arai has claimed the incident took place. He has also filed a defamation case against the politician now. Also read| The 22-year-old force behind Egypt’s growing #MeToo movement The female counsellor was also removed from office by her colleagues who have accused her of passing "scandalous" remarks against the leadership of the town which has negatively affected "the dignity" of the council. While locals tried to overturn the decision, the politicians were able to collect enough signatures from voters to recall the vote. "2,542 out of 2,835 residents who voted supported the recall," town spokesman said. Arai has slammed this decision as unjust and has vowed she "will not be terrorised by pressure from people with power". "There is no reason for dismissing me,” she said. “A recall spearheaded by influential figures in the town, such as the mayor and assembly members, runs counter to the philosophy of the recall system." The lawmakers of the town feel this will be a backward move in their continuous effort of wanting to restore "restoring the damaged reputation of the town".

Japan female politician removed from office after accusing mayor of sexual assault

A statue of Medusa, a well-known figure from Greek mythology, has been installed in New York City as a commemoration and honour to the #MeToo movement.

Artist busts the myth around Medusa: Statue honours #MeToo movement

Watch today in WION Dispatch: Protests over sexual assault have rocked the South Asian country of Bangladesh. Protesters scuffle with police for a second day.

WION Dispatch: Protests over sexual assault rocked South Asian country of Bangladesh

The US Justice Department on Tuesday asked to take over the defence of President Donald Trump in&nbsp;a defamation lawsuit that was filed against him by E. Jean Carroll. She has accused Trump of sexual assault.&nbsp;

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/signs-of-stress-appear-in-us-president-trumps-relationship-with-the-military-326094" hreflang="en">Signs of stress appear in US President Trump's relationship with the military</a>

The move by the Justice Department of defending Trump at taxpayer's expense comes amidst the ongoing criticism that it has acted in Donald Trump's personal interests. According to the Justice Department, it must take over because Trump's comments on the defamation lawsuit came while he was in office.&nbsp;

"President Trump was acting within the scope of his office as President of the United States at the time of the incidents out of which the Plaintiff's defamation claim arose. Indeed, when providing the challenged statements, the President was speaking to or responding to inquiries from the press, much as the elected officials in the cases cited above were speaking to the press or making other public statements at the time of their challenged actions," the Justice Department's court filing stated.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/us-election-2020-trumps-billion-dollar-campaign-has-lost-cash-advantage-326021" hreflang="en">US election 2020: Trump's billion-dollar campaign has lost 'cash advantage'</a>

"The Westfall Act accordingly requires the substitution of the United States as defendant in this action," the department added.

E. Jean Carroll filed the lawsuit in November last year, where she alleged that Donald Trump had sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at luxury Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman in the 1990s. Trump denied these allegations, he called it "totally false" and said that he "never met this person in my life."

"Even in today's world, that argument is shocking," said Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's Lawyer on the Justice Department's logic.&nbsp;

After the move by the Justice Department, Carroll issued a statement on Tuesday, which said: "Today’s actions demonstrate that Trump will do everything possible, including using the full powers of the federal government, to block discovery from going forward in my case before the upcoming election to try to prevent a jury from ever deciding which one of us is lying."

The US Justice Department on Tuesday asked to take over the defence of President Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit that was filed against him by E. Jean Carroll.

The US Justice Department on Tuesday asked to take over the defence of President Donald Trump in a defamation lawsuit that was filed against him by E. Jean Carroll. She has accused Trump of sexual assault. Also read: Signs of stress appear in US President Trump's relationship with the military The move by the Justice Department of defending Trump at taxpayer's expense comes amidst the ongoing criticism that it has acted in Donald Trump's personal interests. According to the Justice Department, it must take over because Trump's comments on the defamation lawsuit came while he was in office. "President Trump was acting within the scope of his office as President of the United States at the time of the incidents out of which the Plaintiff's defamation claim arose. Indeed, when providing the challenged statements, the President was speaking to or responding to inquiries from the press, much as the elected officials in the cases cited above were speaking to the press or making other public statements at the time of their challenged actions," the Justice Department's court filing stated. Also read: US election 2020: Trump's billion-dollar campaign has lost 'cash advantage' "The Westfall Act accordingly requires the substitution of the United States as defendant in this action," the department added. E. Jean Carroll filed the lawsuit in November last year, where she alleged that Donald Trump had sexually assaulted her in a dressing room at luxury Manhattan department store Bergdorf Goodman in the 1990s. Trump denied these allegations, he called it "totally false" and said that he "never met this person in my life." "Even in today's world, that argument is shocking," said Roberta Kaplan, Carroll's Lawyer on the Justice Department's logic. After the move by the Justice Department, Carroll issued a statement on Tuesday, which said: "Today’s actions demonstrate that Trump will do everything possible, including using the full powers of the federal government, to block discovery from going forward in my case before the upcoming election to try to prevent a jury from ever deciding which one of us is lying."

US Justice Department seeks to defend Trump in E. Jean Carroll defamation lawsuit

When dozens of Egyptians began posting accounts of sexual assault on social media last month, activists sensed a “#MeToo” moment in a nation where women have long felt disadvantaged.

Like high-profile trials in the United States where the now global women’s rights hashtag took off, prosecutors launched charges in Egypt’s best-known recent case: a student from a wealthy background facing multiple accusations.

To encourage victims to come forward, the government approved a bill to better protect their identity.

Yet when the administrator of the Instagram page that attracted the first testimonies tried to expose a second high-profile case, death threats came and she suspended the account at the end of July out of fear, she said.

Furthermore, in what activists see as a move undercutting women’s rights, prosecutors have recently charged several women for “inciting debauchery” with songs and dances in TikTok videos.

One had posted a video saying she had been raped and blackmailed and appealing for help.

Campaigners say there remains a deep-rooted bias in the conservative, Muslim-majority nation to place more blame on women for behaviour deemed provocative than on men for sex crimes.

A United Nations’ survey in 2013 found that 99% of Egyptian women had experienced harassment.

“We are always told that we are the reason for all the wrongdoing happening to us … whether it’s because of what you are wearing or the place you went to,” said Amina Salah El-Din, a 25-year-old internet content creator who says she was a victim of assault last year.

The recent testimonies stemmed from the case of Ahmed Bassam Zaki, a former student at the American University in Cairo (AUC) in his early 20s, who was charged last month with indecent assault against at least three women.

Allegations against Zaki were posted in previous years on a private Facebook group run by AUC students. Authorities reacted after the accusations surfaced on an Instagram account named @assaultpolice.

The volume of testimonies and the fact they targeted someone from an elite background, was unusual.

“There is this stereotype that sexual harassment only happens in certain (poorer) environments,” said Azza Solaiman, an activist and lawyer who helped document the complaints.

Zaki has not addressed the accusations publicly but denied some of them during questioning, according to a prosecution statement. Contacted by Reuters, his father declined comment.

GROWING CASELOAD

After Egypt’s top Sunni Muslim authority – known as Al-Azhar – and the state-run National Council for Women urged more victims to come forward, accusations surfaced against three rights activists, one of whom publicly confessed and was fired and a Coptic Church priest who was also dismissed.

Attention also fell on an alleged gang rape at a luxury Cairo hotel in 2014, with more testimonies on @assaultpolice, before it was taken down. Accounts continued on other pages, however and the public prosecutor’s office announced an investigation on Wednesday.

Even so, judicial authorities remain ill-equipped to deal with harassment and assault crimes, according to activists, some of whom have been highlighting Egypt’s assault problems since long before #MeToo trended in the West.

Egypt did introduce jail terms of at least six months or fines of at least 3,000 Egyptian pounds ($188) for harassment in 2014, after attacks on women near Cairo’s Tahrir Square during celebrations for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s inauguration.

Female police officers now patrol on public holidays or celebrations. But the definitions of rape, assault and harassment still often let defendants get off lightly, campaigners say.

Only forced vaginal intercourse is considered rape, with other forms defined as sexual assault.

“The problem is largely related to the legislative environment, which makes the system unable to deal with this issue,” said Mohamed Fouad, a member of parliament who pressed for action on Zaki’s case.

A Justice Ministry spokesman was unavailable to comment and Egypt’s state press centre and an Interior Ministry spokesman did not respond to questions.

With their pursuit of the TikTok stars, prosecutors have called themselves “guardians of social morality” in targeting women deemed to be wearing suggestive clothes. Activists say the prosecutions violate freedom of expression.

Salah El-Din’s case shows how women who confront social stigma by coming forward seldom have it easy.

Chasing the man who assaulted her outside her apartment in a working-class Cairo neighborhood, she said she had to accuse him of theft to encourage bystanders to catch him.

She then battled to persuade police to take on the case, though the man eventually got a three-year prison sentence.

“They see it’s rare for women to report sexual harassment and that no one follows this through to the end, so they thought it only natural that I would drop it, or file a robbery complaint instead,” she said at an interview at a friend’s home.

When dozens of Egyptians began posting accounts of sexual assault on social media last month, activists sensed a “#MeToo” moment in a nation where women have long felt disadvantaged.

When dozens of Egyptians began posting accounts of sexual assault on social media last month, activists sensed a “#MeToo” moment in a nation where women have long felt disadvantaged. Like high-profile trials in the United States where the now global women’s rights hashtag took off, prosecutors launched charges in Egypt’s best-known recent case: a student from a wealthy background facing multiple accusations. To encourage victims to come forward, the government approved a bill to better protect their identity. Yet when the administrator of the Instagram page that attracted the first testimonies tried to expose a second high-profile case, death threats came and she suspended the account at the end of July out of fear, she said. Furthermore, in what activists see as a move undercutting women’s rights, prosecutors have recently charged several women for “inciting debauchery” with songs and dances in TikTok videos. One had posted a video saying she had been raped and blackmailed and appealing for help. Campaigners say there remains a deep-rooted bias in the conservative, Muslim-majority nation to place more blame on women for behaviour deemed provocative than on men for sex crimes. A United Nations’ survey in 2013 found that 99% of Egyptian women had experienced harassment. “We are always told that we are the reason for all the wrongdoing happening to us … whether it’s because of what you are wearing or the place you went to,” said Amina Salah El-Din, a 25-year-old internet content creator who says she was a victim of assault last year. The recent testimonies stemmed from the case of Ahmed Bassam Zaki, a former student at the American University in Cairo (AUC) in his early 20s, who was charged last month with indecent assault against at least three women. Allegations against Zaki were posted in previous years on a private Facebook group run by AUC students. Authorities reacted after the accusations surfaced on an Instagram account named @assaultpolice. The volume of testimonies and the fact they targeted someone from an elite background, was unusual. “There is this stereotype that sexual harassment only happens in certain (poorer) environments,” said Azza Solaiman, an activist and lawyer who helped document the complaints. Zaki has not addressed the accusations publicly but denied some of them during questioning, according to a prosecution statement. Contacted by Reuters, his father declined comment. GROWING CASELOAD After Egypt’s top Sunni Muslim authority – known as Al-Azhar – and the state-run National Council for Women urged more victims to come forward, accusations surfaced against three rights activists, one of whom publicly confessed and was fired and a Coptic Church priest who was also dismissed. Attention also fell on an alleged gang rape at a luxury Cairo hotel in 2014, with more testimonies on @assaultpolice, before it was taken down. Accounts continued on other pages, however and the public prosecutor’s office announced an investigation on Wednesday. Even so, judicial authorities remain ill-equipped to deal with harassment and assault crimes, according to activists, some of whom have been highlighting Egypt’s assault problems since long before #MeToo trended in the West. Egypt did introduce jail terms of at least six months or fines of at least 3,000 Egyptian pounds ($188) for harassment in 2014, after attacks on women near Cairo’s Tahrir Square during celebrations for President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi’s inauguration. Female police officers now patrol on public holidays or celebrations. But the definitions of rape, assault and harassment still often let defendants get off lightly, campaigners say. Only forced vaginal intercourse is considered rape, with other forms defined as sexual assault. “The problem is largely related to the legislative environment, which makes the system unable to deal with this issue,” said Mohamed Fouad, a member of parliament who pressed for action on Zaki’s case. A Justice Ministry spokesman was unavailable to comment and Egypt’s state press centre and an Interior Ministry spokesman did not respond to questions. With their pursuit of the TikTok stars, prosecutors have called themselves “guardians of social morality” in targeting women deemed to be wearing suggestive clothes. Activists say the prosecutions violate freedom of expression. Salah El-Din’s case shows how women who confront social stigma by coming forward seldom have it easy. Chasing the man who assaulted her outside her apartment in a working-class Cairo neighborhood, she said she had to accuse him of theft to encourage bystanders to catch him. She then battled to persuade police to take on the case, though the man eventually got a three-year prison sentence. “They see it’s rare for women to report sexual harassment and that no one follows this through to the end, so they thought it only natural that I would drop it, or file a robbery complaint instead,” she said at an interview at a friend’s home.

Egypt’s sexual assault accusations spotlight social stigmas

St Andrews University in Scotland, has found itself in the middle of a scandal after 20 students alleged that they were sexually assaulted and raped on campus by members of a US-style fraternity body.

Over 20 students at UK University allege rape by members of fraternity body

The University of St Andrews in Scotland, one of world’s oldest universities recently became entangled in a controversy.

Over 20 people have claimed to be sexually assaulted or raped on campus, further claiming they were attacked by members of a specific fraternity. Fraternities or sororities are common in US colleges, and are social organisations for students only. They’re also called Greek letter organisations (GLOs). Uncommon in the UK, they're not considered official student bodies in the country.

The accusations were made on an Instagram page titled “St Andres Survivors”. Following the reports, the university has agreed to follow up on the claims, and to work with the police in tracing the perpetrators.

Allegations on multiple fronts

The allegations include physical assault, coercion, and rape which reportedly took place on the campus.

The fraternity in question is an offshoot of US-based group, called “Alpha Epsilon Pi”. The same fraternity has also faced accusations of sexual assault across its chapters in the United States.

<h6><img alt="This undated file photo shows St Andrews, the university town in Fife, Scotland." data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="707a0d8d-b01c-4e68-acdc-0515b25c6015" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design-6_7.jpg" /> 
This undated file photo shows St Andrews, the university town in Fife, Scotland. | AFP</h6>

Since the allegations came to light, several members of the sorority have been suspended at St Andrews.

The university is the third-oldest English-speaking varsity in the world and is one the top-rated places to study in the globe. The university has been attended by many British royals like Prince William, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge.

The university on Monday announced that it had attempted to reach the owner of the Instagram page, while offering assistance in the impending investigations.

A fix-it-all course!

As part of plans to avoid such behaviour in the future, the university will now imbibe a compulsory module on sexual consent.

In a statement, the university said, “We welcome the 'St Andrews Survivors' account's efforts to provide people of all genders a space to voice their experiences of sexual misconduct”.

The administration also pledged support to survivors. "The University's primary concern is to ensure Survivors know that we are ready and willing to support their decisions and take action, facilitate Police reporting, and provide ongoing support accordingly."

The fraternity in question on July 3 had come out with a statement which said that they find the “content of these allegations abhorrent”, while adding that they were taking these allegations seriously.

Their statement further claimed that students who accepted involvement in such incidents have been immediately expelled, with a thorough investigation to follow.

The University of St Andrews in Scotland, one of world’s oldest universities recently became entangled in a controversy. Over 20 people have claimed to be sexually assaulted or raped on campus, further claiming they were attacked by members of a specific fraternity.

The University of St Andrews in Scotland, one of world’s oldest universities recently became entangled in a controversy. Over 20 people have claimed to be sexually assaulted or raped on campus, further claiming they were attacked by members of a specific fraternity. Fraternities or sororities are common in US colleges, and are social organisations for students only. They’re also called Greek letter organisations (GLOs). Uncommon in the UK, they're not considered official student bodies in the country. The accusations were made on an Instagram page titled “St Andres Survivors”. Following the reports, the university has agreed to follow up on the claims, and to work with the police in tracing the perpetrators. Allegations on multiple fronts The allegations include physical assault, coercion, and rape which reportedly took place on the campus. The fraternity in question is an offshoot of US-based group, called “Alpha Epsilon Pi”. The same fraternity has also faced accusations of sexual assault across its chapters in the United States. This undated file photo shows St Andrews, the university town in Fife, Scotland. | AFP Since the allegations came to light, several members of the sorority have been suspended at St Andrews. The university is the third-oldest English-speaking varsity in the world and is one the top-rated places to study in the globe. The university has been attended by many British royals like Prince William, and Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge. The university on Monday announced that it had attempted to reach the owner of the Instagram page, while offering assistance in the impending investigations. A fix-it-all course! As part of plans to avoid such behaviour in the future, the university will now imbibe a compulsory module on sexual consent. In a statement, the university said, “We welcome the 'St Andrews Survivors' account's efforts to provide people of all genders a space to voice their experiences of sexual misconduct”. The administration also pledged support to survivors. "The University's primary concern is to ensure Survivors know that we are ready and willing to support their decisions and take action, facilitate Police reporting, and provide ongoing support accordingly." The fraternity in question on July 3 had come out with a statement which said that they find the “content of these allegations abhorrent”, while adding that they were taking these allegations seriously. Their statement further claimed that students who accepted involvement in such incidents have been immediately expelled, with a thorough investigation to follow.

World's third-oldest English speaking university erupts in controversy after former students allege sexual assault

Sevdalin Atanasov, a Turkish national, has been sentenced to 13 years of prison for raping a&nbsp;woman at knifepoint in her bedroom in north London.

The man was known to a flatmate of the victim,&nbsp;and had agreed to let him spend the night at the property.

The victim, however, woke up in the middle of the night&nbsp;to find the man in her bedroom with his hand over her mouth.&nbsp;He was holding a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her throughout the attack.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/officer-charged-with-murder-of-floyd-still-eligible-for-1-million-pension-305498">Also read:&nbsp;Officer charged with murder of Floyd still eligible for $1 million pension</a>

The victim managed to flee to her friend's house nearby, where the friend called the police.

Atanasov had denied the offence, but later plead guilty&nbsp;after forensic evidence of the assault was presented in the court.

The police has thanked the victim for her full cooperation and has also appreciated her for staying brave and thinking on the spot.

(With inputs from agencies)

Sevdalin Atanasov, a Turkish national, has been sentenced to 13 years of prison for raping a woman at knifepoint in her bedroom in north London. The man was known to a flatmate of the victim, and had agreed to let him spend the night at the property.

Sevdalin Atanasov, a Turkish national, has been sentenced to 13 years of prison for raping a woman at knifepoint in her bedroom in north London. The man was known to a flatmate of the victim, and had agreed to let him spend the night at the property. The victim, however, woke up in the middle of the night to find the man in her bedroom with his hand over her mouth. He was holding a knife to her throat and threatened to kill her throughout the attack. Also read: Officer charged with murder of Floyd still eligible for $1 million pension The victim managed to flee to her friend's house nearby, where the friend called the police. Atanasov had denied the offence, but later plead guilty after forensic evidence of the assault was presented in the court. The police has thanked the victim for her full cooperation and has also appreciated her for staying brave and thinking on the spot. (With inputs from agencies)

UK: Man jailed for 13 years for raping a woman on knifepoint

In first public remarks, US Presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday denied any sexual assault allegations related to a former staffer in his US Senate office.

The incident she claimed occurred in 1993 "They aren't true. This never happened,", Biden said in an e-mailed statement.&nbsp;

Biden also said Reade's then-supervisor and former senior staffers in his office "have said, unequivocally, that she never came to them and complained or raised issues."

Biden's statement comes a month after constant grilling by media for his silence over the accusations. A lot of people including his democratic colleagues urged Biden to come out in public and directly respond to the accusations.

A California woman named Tara Reade, who worked as a staff assistant in Biden's US Senate office from December 1992 to August 1993, has accused Biden in media interviews of pinning her against a wall in 1993, reaching under her skirt and pushing his fingers inside her.

Reade, 56, told media interviewers she complained at the time about sexual harassment, though not sexual assault, to three of Biden's Senate aides. The Biden campaign released a statement from one, Marianne Baker, who said she never received any report of inappropriate behavior in nearly 20 years of working for Biden.

Biden is set to challenge Republican President Donald Trump, 73, in the November 3 US election. Trump has been accused by more than a dozen women of sexual assault and misconduct over the years, allegations he and his aides have denied.

(With inputs from agencies)

In first public remarks, US Presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday denied any sexual assault allegations related to a former staffer in his US Senate office.

In first public remarks, US Presidential candidate Joe Biden on Friday denied any sexual assault allegations related to a former staffer in his US Senate office. The incident she claimed occurred in 1993 "They aren't true. This never happened,", Biden said in an e-mailed statement. Biden also said Reade's then-supervisor and former senior staffers in his office "have said, unequivocally, that she never came to them and complained or raised issues." Biden's statement comes a month after constant grilling by media for his silence over the accusations. A lot of people including his democratic colleagues urged Biden to come out in public and directly respond to the accusations. A California woman named Tara Reade, who worked as a staff assistant in Biden's US Senate office from December 1992 to August 1993, has accused Biden in media interviews of pinning her against a wall in 1993, reaching under her skirt and pushing his fingers inside her. Reade, 56, told media interviewers she complained at the time about sexual harassment, though not sexual assault, to three of Biden's Senate aides. The Biden campaign released a statement from one, Marianne Baker, who said she never received any report of inappropriate behavior in nearly 20 years of working for Biden. Biden is set to challenge Republican President Donald Trump, 73, in the November 3 US election. Trump has been accused by more than a dozen women of sexual assault and misconduct over the years, allegations he and his aides have denied. (With inputs from agencies)

'Never happened': Democratic presidential candidate Joe Biden denies sexual assault accusations

The United States recently issued a security alert for people planning to travel to Spain on account rampant sexual assault in the country.&nbsp;

The advisory asks US citizens who are visiting or studying in Spain to exercise caution.

The alert takes into account the information given by the Spanish Ministry, which reported "a steady increase in the number of sexual assaults nationally over the past five years", CNN reported.

"This includes a rise in sexual assault against young US citizen visitors and students throughout Spain", the alert said.

On New Year's Eve, three American women were raped in the city of Murcia in southeastern Spain.

<h6><img alt="kkk" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="266f5b84-43dd-4487-993d-40edee2ab94f" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%283%29_46.jpg" /> 
Protests in Spain | Reuters 
&nbsp;</h6>

"US citizen victims of sexual assault in Spain can find it very difficult to navigate the local criminal justice system, which differs significantly from the US system," the embassy alert read.

A ruling in November triggered a series of protests in Spain. Five men were cleared of the sexual assault charges against them. However, the report clearly said that the men took turns to rape the unconscious teenager.

All were convicted of a much lighter charge of sexual abuse.

Spanish law clearly states that an attack can be classified as rape or assault only if the perpetrators use violence or intimidation.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/many-arrested-worldwide-as-spain-police-smash-global-pedophile-ring-267532">Many arrested worldwide as Spain police smash global pedophile ring</a>

The United States recently issued a security alert for people planning to travel to Spain on account rampant sexual assault in the country. The advisory asks US citizens who are visiting or studying in Spain to exercise caution.

The United States recently issued a security alert for people planning to travel to Spain on account rampant sexual assault in the country. The advisory asks US citizens who are visiting or studying in Spain to exercise caution. The alert takes into account the information given by the Spanish Ministry, which reported "a steady increase in the number of sexual assaults nationally over the past five years", CNN reported. "This includes a rise in sexual assault against young US citizen visitors and students throughout Spain", the alert said. On New Year's Eve, three American women were raped in the city of Murcia in southeastern Spain. Protests in Spain | Reuters "US citizen victims of sexual assault in Spain can find it very difficult to navigate the local criminal justice system, which differs significantly from the US system," the embassy alert read. A ruling in November triggered a series of protests in Spain. Five men were cleared of the sexual assault charges against them. However, the report clearly said that the men took turns to rape the unconscious teenager. All were convicted of a much lighter charge of sexual abuse. Spanish law clearly states that an attack can be classified as rape or assault only if the perpetrators use violence or intimidation. Also read: Many arrested worldwide as Spain police smash global pedophile ring

New US advisory requests its citizens in Spain to exercise caution against sexual assault

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-harvey-weinstein-40-years-journey-from-the-studio-to-the-courtroom-272139">Harvey Weinstein</a>, 66, the most public figure associated with the #MeToo movement has finally been punished. The media mogul has been charged with rape and other sex crimes, for which he could face up to 28 years in prison.

Reportedly, the Hollywood producer's heinous crimes against women were overlooked for a long time before the #MeToo movement had even been mobilised.

A district court has charged Weinstein with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-women-at-the-heart-of-the-harvey-weinstein-trial-271772">separate incidents</a> over a two-day period in 2013.&nbsp;

Jackie Lacey, the Los Angeles County District Attorney on the introduction of new charges against Weinstein had this to say, ''I'm here today to announce that my office has charged Harvey Weinstein with sexually assaulting two women in Los Angeles county. We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then committed violent crimes against them".

Lacey further added that if he were to be convicted as charged in the case, he could face up to 28 years in prison. ''My office will ask the court to set bail at five million dollars'', Lacey said.

<img alt="Weinstein" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="91688458-f100-49e8-8c16-67a0617ff698" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%289%29_10.jpg" /> 
Image: An artist's rendition of the film producer Harvey Weinstein sitting&nbsp;alongside lawyers Donna Rotunno and Arthur Aidala while&nbsp;appearing&nbsp;in front of Judge James Burke in Criminal Court on the first day of his sexual assault trial in the Manhattan borough of New York City | Source: Reuters&nbsp;

Weinstein is also facing trial on the East Coast, with five charges in New York City. These are also rape and sexual assault charges. If convicted on these accounts, he could be imprisoned for life.

After the #MeToo movement gained traction, more than 80 women came forward with accusations of rape and/or assault against Weinstein. He responded by trying to close a 25 million dollar settlement deal with more than 30 women.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Harvey Weinstein -&nbsp;When powerful men pay their way out of #metoo!

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/gravitas-harvey-weinstein-when-powerful-men-pay-their-way-out-of-metoo-267976/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

A clause of the settlement said that he would not be required to admit wrongdoing. The public rehabilitation campaign for Weinstein that being manufactures was instantly rejected.

Women continue to face the consequences of coming forward with reports of assault and harassment.

Lawyers in the trial are expected to begin selecting jurors today.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/the-harvey-weinstein-40-years-journey-from-the-studio-to-the-courtroom-272139">The Harvey Weinstein 40 years Journey: From the studio to the courtroom</a>

Harvey Weinstein, 66, the most public figure associated with the #MeToo movement has finally been punished. The media mogul has been charged with rape and other sex crimes, for which he could face up to 28 years in prison.

Harvey Weinstein, 66, the most public figure associated with the #MeToo movement has finally been punished. The media mogul has been charged with rape and other sex crimes, for which he could face up to 28 years in prison. Reportedly, the Hollywood producer's heinous crimes against women were overlooked for a long time before the #MeToo movement had even been mobilised. A district court has charged Weinstein with raping one woman and sexually assaulting another in separate incidents over a two-day period in 2013. Jackie Lacey, the Los Angeles County District Attorney on the introduction of new charges against Weinstein had this to say, ''I'm here today to announce that my office has charged Harvey Weinstein with sexually assaulting two women in Los Angeles county. We believe the evidence will show that the defendant used his power and influence to gain access to his victims and then committed violent crimes against them". Lacey further added that if he were to be convicted as charged in the case, he could face up to 28 years in prison. ''My office will ask the court to set bail at five million dollars'', Lacey said. Image: An artist's rendition of the film producer Harvey Weinstein sitting alongside lawyers Donna Rotunno and Arthur Aidala while appearing in front of Judge James Burke in Criminal Court on the first day of his sexual assault trial in the Manhattan borough of New York City | Source: Reuters Weinstein is also facing trial on the East Coast, with five charges in New York City. These are also rape and sexual assault charges. If convicted on these accounts, he could be imprisoned for life. After the #MeToo movement gained traction, more than 80 women came forward with accusations of rape and/or assault against Weinstein. He responded by trying to close a 25 million dollar settlement deal with more than 30 women. Watch: Harvey Weinstein - When powerful men pay their way out of #metoo! A clause of the settlement said that he would not be required to admit wrongdoing. The public rehabilitation campaign for Weinstein that being manufactures was instantly rejected. Women continue to face the consequences of coming forward with reports of assault and harassment. Lawyers in the trial are expected to begin selecting jurors today. Also read: The Harvey Weinstein 40 years Journey: From the studio to the courtroom

Harvey Weinstein charged with rape in LA; could face up to 28 years in prison

A student from&nbsp;Indonesia&nbsp;was identified as Britain's most prolific rapist on Monday after being convicted of more than 150 offences, including 136 rapes.

In four separate trials, Reynhard Sinaga, 36, was found guilty of assaulting 48 men whom he drugged after taking them back to his apartment from outside bars and clubs in the city of Manchester.

Many of the victims were lured by the offer of a place to sleep or more drink, and Sinaga filmed the assaults on his mobile phone, the Crown Prosecution Service said.

<img alt="Reynhard Sinaga" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="9b1d63d7-f1ac-444f-aacc-5faa6cf48e4c" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%20%281%29_41.jpg" />&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp; 
Image:&nbsp;Reynhard Sinaga, 36, is seen in this undated handout photo released on January 6, 2020 | Reuters

At a court in Manchester, a judge ruled that Sinaga must serve at least 30 years in prison for 159 offences committed between&nbsp;January 2015 and May 2017, and lifted reporting restrictions.

Ian Rushton, a government prosecutor, described Sinaga as the "most prolific rapist in British legal history".

Sinaga, who has lived in the United Kingdom since 2007, targeted young men who looked drunk or vulnerable and rendered them unconscious with a sedative, probably the party drug gamma-hydroxybutyric acid that is known as GHB, the court was told.

The victims were mainly heterosexual and had little or no memory of the attacks. But Sinaga was arrested after one of his victims woke up during an attack, fought him off and went to the police with one of his phones.

<img alt="A combination of still images used in evidence in convicting Reynhard Sinaga, (L to R) CCTV image, alcohol bottles in Sinaga's flat, sleeping area in Sinaga's flat, are seen in this undated handout photo released on January 6, 2020" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="d55bc08e-8e77-4ae2-a21b-ede5f0a440b9" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design_37.jpg" /> 
Image:&nbsp;A combination of still images used in evidence in convicting Reynhard Sinaga, (L to R) CCTV image, alcohol bottles in Sinaga's flat, sleeping area in Sinaga's flat, are seen in this undated handout photo released on January 6, 2020 | Reuters

Police discovered graphic material – equivalent to 250 DVDs or 300,000 photos – depicting sexual assaults on Sinaga's digital devices. Sinaga had said his victims were acting out sexual fantasies.

The court was told Sinaga kept men’s belongings as trophies and looked them up on Facebook.

The rape investigation is the largest in British legal history. It is the first time prosecutors have split charges across four separate trials.

Police said there could be many more victims and are appealing for others who may have been targeted to come forward.

A student from Indonesia was identified as Britain's most prolific rapist on Monday after being convicted of more than 150 offences, including 136 rapes. In four separate trials, Reynhard Sinaga, 36, was found guilty of assaulting 48 men whom he drugged after taking them back to his apartment from outside bars and clubs in the city of Manchester.

A student from Indonesia was identified as Britain's most prolific rapist on Monday after being convicted of more than 150 offences, including 136 rapes. In four separate trials, Reynhard Sinaga, 36, was found guilty of assaulting 48 men whom he drugged after taking them back to his apartment from outside bars and clubs in the city of Manchester. Many of the victims were lured by the offer of a place to sleep or more drink, and Sinaga filmed the assaults on his mobile phone, the Crown Prosecution Service said. Image: Reynhard Sinaga, 36, is seen in this undated handout photo released on January 6, 2020 | Reuters At a court in Manchester, a judge ruled that Sinaga must serve at least 30 years in prison for 159 offences committed between January 2015 and May 2017, and lifted reporting restrictions. Ian Rushton, a government prosecutor, described Sinaga as the "most prolific rapist in British legal history". Sinaga, who has lived in the United Kingdom since 2007, targeted young men who looked drunk or vulnerable and rendered them unconscious with a sedative, probably the party drug gamma-hydroxybutyric acid that is known as GHB, the court was told. The victims were mainly heterosexual and had little or no memory of the attacks. But Sinaga was arrested after one of his victims woke up during an attack, fought him off and went to the police with one of his phones. Image: A combination of still images used in evidence in convicting Reynhard Sinaga, (L to R) CCTV image, alcohol bottles in Sinaga's flat, sleeping area in Sinaga's flat, are seen in this undated handout photo released on January 6, 2020 | Reuters Police discovered graphic material – equivalent to 250 DVDs or 300,000 photos – depicting sexual assaults on Sinaga's digital devices. Sinaga had said his victims were acting out sexual fantasies. The court was told Sinaga kept men’s belongings as trophies and looked them up on Facebook. The rape investigation is the largest in British legal history. It is the first time prosecutors have split charges across four separate trials. Police said there could be many more victims and are appealing for others who may have been targeted to come forward.

United Kingdom's 'most prolific rapist' convicted of 150 offences

A <a href="https://www.wionews.com/bangladesh?page=59">Bangladeshi</a> sex worker, who had lodged a complaint of sexual assault by two men, was arrested by Commissionerate Police for staying illegally in Bhubaneswar without valid documents.

The woman had come to Odisha on the basis of a <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/mumbai-model-uses-fake-aadhar-of-actress-urvashi-rautela-127276">fake Aadhaar card</a> which she had obtained during her stay in West Bengal.

On December 16, the woman had gone to Laxmisagar police station to lodge a complaint in which she alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men in a hotel in Chintamaniswar area of Cuttack Road.

"There was a case in the Laxmisagar police station where a lady complained that she was abused and misbehaved with&nbsp;in a room. On the basis of the complaint, we have registered a case and arrested and forwarded to the court two persons who were involved in the incident," Bhubaneswar's Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anup Kumar said.

The subsequent investigation revealed that she was a Bangladeshi national and had come to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/27-ias-16-ips-officers-promoted-in-odisha-269535">Odisha</a> using a fake Aadhaar card, which had an address of a district in West Bengal.

"During the verification of the informant's details, we found that there existed no such address in West Bengal as was mentioned in the details submitted by her. On that basis, we further interrogated her, and it came to light that she had come from Bangladesh and had stayed in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/west-bengal-cm-mamata-banerjee-leads-protest-march-against-caa-in-kolkata-on-monday-269999">Kolkata</a> for some time," Kumar said.

"From there, she had come to Bhubaneswar and was into flesh trade for some time," he added.

No passport or visa was found from her possession during the search.

A case has been registered against her under Sections 419, 468, 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, Kumar said.

A Bangladeshi sex worker, who had lodged a complaint of sexual assault by two men, was arrested by Commissionerate Police for staying illegally in Bhubaneswar without valid documents.

A Bangladeshi sex worker, who had lodged a complaint of sexual assault by two men, was arrested by Commissionerate Police for staying illegally in Bhubaneswar without valid documents. The woman had come to Odisha on the basis of a fake Aadhaar card which she had obtained during her stay in West Bengal. On December 16, the woman had gone to Laxmisagar police station to lodge a complaint in which she alleged she was sexually assaulted by two men in a hotel in Chintamaniswar area of Cuttack Road. "There was a case in the Laxmisagar police station where a lady complained that she was abused and misbehaved with in a room. On the basis of the complaint, we have registered a case and arrested and forwarded to the court two persons who were involved in the incident," Bhubaneswar's Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Anup Kumar said. The subsequent investigation revealed that she was a Bangladeshi national and had come to Odisha using a fake Aadhaar card, which had an address of a district in West Bengal. "During the verification of the informant's details, we found that there existed no such address in West Bengal as was mentioned in the details submitted by her. On that basis, we further interrogated her, and it came to light that she had come from Bangladesh and had stayed in Kolkata for some time," Kumar said. "From there, she had come to Bhubaneswar and was into flesh trade for some time," he added. No passport or visa was found from her possession during the search. A case has been registered against her under Sections 419, 468, 471 of the Indian Penal Code (IPC), and Section 14 of the Foreigners Act, Kumar said.

Odisha: Bangladeshi woman lodges sexual assault complaint; gets arrested for staying illegally

A Canadian man once held hostage with his American wife in Afghanistan was on Thursday found not guilty of assaulting her following their release from captivity.

Joshua Boyle, 36, was accused of 19 charges including assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement, criminal harassment and making death threats against his wife, Caitlan Coleman, and another person in the months after the couple returned to Canada after their five-year hostage ordeal.

The court has banned identification of the second alleged victim.

Ontario Court Judge Peter Doody said the evidence was largely circumstantial while neither Boyle nor Coleman were credible or reliable.

"I do not believe her, just as I do not believe Mr. Boyle," he said in court.

Boyle and Coleman, who married in 2011 after meeting in a Star Wars fan chatroom online, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through Afghanistan in 2012.

They were later transferred to the custody of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network.

The couple were freed in October 2017, along with their three young children -- all of whom were born in captivity. A fourth was born afterward.

The court heard Boyle's 911 call from the day Coleman walked out of the couple's Ottawa apartment at the end of December 2017. He claimed she was mentally unstable, struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and might harm herself.

But the call triggered a police investigation that led to him being charged.

'Cruel and demeaning'

Coleman testified that during five years of captivity, Boyle had become physically abusive, biting, choking, punching, slapping and spanking her, as well as casually threatening to kill her in front of their children.

The abuse, she said, continued after their release.

Boyle denied striking his wife or sexually assaulting her, saying they had "playful and erotic" consensual sex.

Crown co-counsel Meaghan Cunningham in closing arguments had said Boyle believes that "as a husband, he has a right to dominate and subjugate his wife."

"Quiet and obedient, that's what he expected her to be," Cunningham said.

She pointed to a handwritten list of rules -- which Boyle testified were resolutions that had not been acted upon -- requiring Coleman to lose weight, sleep in the nude, plan interesting sex and ensure that he ejaculated at least twice daily.

Coleman also testified that she was spanked with a broomstick for failing to meet the latter demand, but Boyle insisted he reluctantly did so only at her request, for unrelated reasons.

In his decision, the judge said he believed that Boyle demonstrated "animus toward Ms. Coleman and acted in cruel and demeaning ways toward her."&nbsp;

But his behavior did not establish guilt on any of the criminal charges.

Meanwhile, he said, Coleman's testimony about suffering blackouts and having "difficulty seeing reality right" at times, in relation to her mental health, raised doubts about her credibility as a witness.

"In my view, Ms. Coleman's memory issues raise concerns about her ability to accurately recall the events at issue, the accuracy of what she says she recalls and whether the events described took place."

After the verdict, Boyle hugged his parents.

Outside the Ottawa courthouse, defense lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said the ruling was "an incredible relief" for Boyle and his family.

"It's a first step (for Boyle) in getting access and hopefully someday custody of his children," he said. "He's never seen his fourth child and hasn't seen his other children in almost two years."

Coleman currently lives with the four children in the United States.

A Canadian man once held hostage with his American wife in Afghanistan was on Thursday found not guilty of assaulting her following their release from captivity.

A Canadian man once held hostage with his American wife in Afghanistan was on Thursday found not guilty of assaulting her following their release from captivity. Joshua Boyle, 36, was accused of 19 charges including assault, sexual assault, forcible confinement, criminal harassment and making death threats against his wife, Caitlan Coleman, and another person in the months after the couple returned to Canada after their five-year hostage ordeal. The court has banned identification of the second alleged victim. Ontario Court Judge Peter Doody said the evidence was largely circumstantial while neither Boyle nor Coleman were credible or reliable. "I do not believe her, just as I do not believe Mr. Boyle," he said in court. Boyle and Coleman, who married in 2011 after meeting in a Star Wars fan chatroom online, were kidnapped by the Taliban during what they described as a backpacking trip through Afghanistan in 2012. They were later transferred to the custody of the Taliban-allied Haqqani network. The couple were freed in October 2017, along with their three young children -- all of whom were born in captivity. A fourth was born afterward. The court heard Boyle's 911 call from the day Coleman walked out of the couple's Ottawa apartment at the end of December 2017. He claimed she was mentally unstable, struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder and might harm herself. But the call triggered a police investigation that led to him being charged. 'Cruel and demeaning' Coleman testified that during five years of captivity, Boyle had become physically abusive, biting, choking, punching, slapping and spanking her, as well as casually threatening to kill her in front of their children. The abuse, she said, continued after their release. Boyle denied striking his wife or sexually assaulting her, saying they had "playful and erotic" consensual sex. Crown co-counsel Meaghan Cunningham in closing arguments had said Boyle believes that "as a husband, he has a right to dominate and subjugate his wife." "Quiet and obedient, that's what he expected her to be," Cunningham said. She pointed to a handwritten list of rules -- which Boyle testified were resolutions that had not been acted upon -- requiring Coleman to lose weight, sleep in the nude, plan interesting sex and ensure that he ejaculated at least twice daily. Coleman also testified that she was spanked with a broomstick for failing to meet the latter demand, but Boyle insisted he reluctantly did so only at her request, for unrelated reasons. In his decision, the judge said he believed that Boyle demonstrated "animus toward Ms. Coleman and acted in cruel and demeaning ways toward her." But his behavior did not establish guilt on any of the criminal charges. Meanwhile, he said, Coleman's testimony about suffering blackouts and having "difficulty seeing reality right" at times, in relation to her mental health, raised doubts about her credibility as a witness. "In my view, Ms. Coleman's memory issues raise concerns about her ability to accurately recall the events at issue, the accuracy of what she says she recalls and whether the events described took place." After the verdict, Boyle hugged his parents. Outside the Ottawa courthouse, defense lawyer Lawrence Greenspon said the ruling was "an incredible relief" for Boyle and his family. "It's a first step (for Boyle) in getting access and hopefully someday custody of his children," he said. "He's never seen his fourth child and hasn't seen his other children in almost two years." Coleman currently lives with the four children in the United States.

Ex-Taliban hostage found not guilty of abusing wife

US comedian Bill Cosby, who is serving a three and a half year jail term, on Tuesday lost his appeal against his conviction for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman 15 years ago.

Cosby had appealed to Pennsylvania's Superior Court, which issued a 94-page ruling upholding his conviction. He could now take his case to the state's Supreme Court.

"We are very pleased with today's Superior Court decision affirming the jury's guilty verdict ... as well as the sentence," district attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement.

"With this decision, it has been affirmed that no one is above the law."

The 82-year-old, who shattered racial barriers with his role as a dad and doctor on the hit TV series "The Cosby Show," (1984-1992), was found guilty in 2018 of assaulting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion.

It was the first celebrity trial and first guilty verdict for sexual assault since the advent of the #MeToo movement.

A Pennsylvania judge sentenced the actor to a minimum three and a half years in prison on three counts of aggravated indecent assault.

An earlier trial in June 2017 ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict.

Although more than 60 women charged that they had been victims of sexual assault by Cosby, he was tried criminally only for Constand's assault, since the statute of limitations had expired in the other cases.

Cosby insists he was unjustly convicted, and his lawyers argued in the appeal that five women should not have been allowed to testify at the retrial.

But the appeals court ruled that their evidence had established Cosby's "unique sexual assault playbook."

The women's evidence "tended to undermine any claim that appellant was unaware of or mistaken about the victim's failure to consent to the sexual contact," the ruling said.

A dozen women who say they were victims of Cosby have filed civil suits against the actor seeking compensation for damages.

When contacted by AFP, Cosby's lawyers did not immediately say whether he would pursue a further appeal.

Film producer Harvey Weinstein, whose case sparked the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, is due to stand trial in New York in January.

US comedian Bill Cosby, who is serving a three and a half year jail term, on Tuesday lost his appeal against his conviction for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman 15 years ago.

US comedian Bill Cosby, who is serving a three and a half year jail term, on Tuesday lost his appeal against his conviction for drugging and sexually assaulting a woman 15 years ago. Cosby had appealed to Pennsylvania's Superior Court, which issued a 94-page ruling upholding his conviction. He could now take his case to the state's Supreme Court. "We are very pleased with today's Superior Court decision affirming the jury's guilty verdict ... as well as the sentence," district attorney Kevin Steele said in a statement. "With this decision, it has been affirmed that no one is above the law." The 82-year-old, who shattered racial barriers with his role as a dad and doctor on the hit TV series "The Cosby Show," (1984-1992), was found guilty in 2018 of assaulting Andrea Constand at his Philadelphia mansion. It was the first celebrity trial and first guilty verdict for sexual assault since the advent of the #MeToo movement. A Pennsylvania judge sentenced the actor to a minimum three and a half years in prison on three counts of aggravated indecent assault. An earlier trial in June 2017 ended in a mistrial after the jury was unable to reach a unanimous verdict. Although more than 60 women charged that they had been victims of sexual assault by Cosby, he was tried criminally only for Constand's assault, since the statute of limitations had expired in the other cases. Cosby insists he was unjustly convicted, and his lawyers argued in the appeal that five women should not have been allowed to testify at the retrial. But the appeals court ruled that their evidence had established Cosby's "unique sexual assault playbook." The women's evidence "tended to undermine any claim that appellant was unaware of or mistaken about the victim's failure to consent to the sexual contact," the ruling said. A dozen women who say they were victims of Cosby have filed civil suits against the actor seeking compensation for damages. When contacted by AFP, Cosby's lawyers did not immediately say whether he would pursue a further appeal. Film producer Harvey Weinstein, whose case sparked the #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, is due to stand trial in New York in January.

US comedian Bill Cosby loses appeal against sexual assault conviction

A convict in <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/nirbhaya-rape-case-court-seeks-status-report-from-tihar-jail-authorities-224277">Nirbhaya's case</a>, Pawan, was shifted to <a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/rahul-gandhi-priyanka-gandhi-to-meet-chidambaram-at-tihar-jail-tomorrow-264716">Tihar jail</a> on Sunday from Mandoli jail where he was lodged earlier.

The Nirbhaya case is about the gang-rape and brutal torture of a 23-year-old woman on December 16, 2012, which led to her death.

All the six accused in the case were arrested and charged with sexual assault and murder.

One of the accused was a minor and appeared before a juvenile justice court, while another accused committed suicide in Tihar jail.

A convict in Nirbhaya's case, Pawan, was shifted to Tihar jail on Sunday from Mandoli jail where he was lodged earlier. The Nirbhaya case is about the gang-rape and brutal torture of a 23-year-old woman on December 16, 2012, which led to her death.

A convict in Nirbhaya's case, Pawan, was shifted to Tihar jail on Sunday from Mandoli jail where he was lodged earlier. The Nirbhaya case is about the gang-rape and brutal torture of a 23-year-old woman on December 16, 2012, which led to her death. All the six accused in the case were arrested and charged with sexual assault and murder. One of the accused was a minor and appeared before a juvenile justice court, while another accused committed suicide in Tihar jail.

Convict in Nirbhaya case shifted to Tihar jail

Ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc said it received over 3,000 reports of sexual assault-related to its 1.3 billion rides in the United States last year, in a report aimed at ensuring drivers and the public it was serious about safety.

The figure represents a 16% fall in the rate of incidents from the previous year in the five most serious categories of sexual assault reported, Uber said on Thursday in its first biennial US&nbsp;Safety Report.

The firm also said reports of assaults on passengers overlooked risks for drivers as riders accounted for roughly half of the accused.

The 84-page report comes almost two weeks after Uber said it would appeal the loss of its license to carry passengers in London over a "pattern of failures" on safety and security.

Uber, which in the past has faced criticism over safety on its platform and has been repeatedly hit with lawsuits over driver misconduct, last year committed to releasing a safety report in a sign of a cultural turnaround under its new CEO.

The firm, which operates in 70 countries, said the report showed its commitment to transparency to improve accountability and safety industry-wide. It said it would use what it learned producing the report for its "next steps" in other places.

"I suspect many people will be surprised at how rare these incidents are; others will understandably think they're still too common. Some people will appreciate how much we've done on safety; others will say we have more work to do. They will all be right," tweeted Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi.

In the report, Uber said 99.9% of its 2.3 billion US&nbsp;trips in 2017 and 2018 ended without safety incidents.

It said it received 235 reports of "non-consensual sexual penetration" last year and 280 of "attempted non-consensual sexual penetration" - nearly all filed by women. The remaining assault reports included incidents of unwanted kissing or touching of body parts.

It also detailed 10 fatal physical assaults in 2017 and nine in 2018 - eight victims were riders, seven were drivers using Uber's app, and four were third parties such as bystanders.

At an event on Wednesday, Khosrowshahi said he prioritised improving Uber's culture and safety when assuming his role in 2017. At the time, Uber was dealing with regulatory fallout and public backlash over its business practices, forcing former CEO and founder Travis Kalanick to step down.

"We had to change the culture internally and we simply got to do the right thing," Khosrowshahi said, adding that Uber was not hiding anything by publishing internal information.

Rival Lyft Inc in a statement said it was committed to releasing its own safety report and sharing information on unsafe drivers. It did not state a release date for its report.

Background checks

Uber said it puts drivers through a vigorous background check before accepting them onto its platform. In its report, it said one million drivers failed to pass the screening test in 2017 and 2018 and more than 40,000 were removed from the app after extra screening layers.

Regulators have long said Uber's screening process was insufficient and inferior to those in place for taxi drivers, with several US&nbsp;cities attempting to compel Uber to mandate fingerprinting of its drivers.

New York City is currently the only US&nbsp;city where drivers have to provide fingerprints and undergo the same licensing requirements as regular taxi drivers.

The New York City Transport and Limousine Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Uber's safety report. In the past, it said fingerprinting was the only way to ensure proper safety.

An Uber spokeswoman on Thursday said the firm's screening process was robust and rigorous, and was more reliable than the sometimes incomplete database for fingerprints.

Ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc said it received over 3,000 reports of sexual assault-related to its 1.3 billion rides in the United States last year, in a report aimed at ensuring drivers and the public it was serious about safety.

Ride-hailing firm Uber Technologies Inc said it received over 3,000 reports of sexual assault-related to its 1.3 billion rides in the United States last year, in a report aimed at ensuring drivers and the public it was serious about safety. The figure represents a 16% fall in the rate of incidents from the previous year in the five most serious categories of sexual assault reported, Uber said on Thursday in its first biennial US Safety Report. The firm also said reports of assaults on passengers overlooked risks for drivers as riders accounted for roughly half of the accused. The 84-page report comes almost two weeks after Uber said it would appeal the loss of its license to carry passengers in London over a "pattern of failures" on safety and security. Uber, which in the past has faced criticism over safety on its platform and has been repeatedly hit with lawsuits over driver misconduct, last year committed to releasing a safety report in a sign of a cultural turnaround under its new CEO. The firm, which operates in 70 countries, said the report showed its commitment to transparency to improve accountability and safety industry-wide. It said it would use what it learned producing the report for its "next steps" in other places. "I suspect many people will be surprised at how rare these incidents are; others will understandably think they're still too common. Some people will appreciate how much we've done on safety; others will say we have more work to do. They will all be right," tweeted Chief Executive Officer Dara Khosrowshahi. In the report, Uber said 99.9% of its 2.3 billion US trips in 2017 and 2018 ended without safety incidents. It said it received 235 reports of "non-consensual sexual penetration" last year and 280 of "attempted non-consensual sexual penetration" - nearly all filed by women. The remaining assault reports included incidents of unwanted kissing or touching of body parts. It also detailed 10 fatal physical assaults in 2017 and nine in 2018 - eight victims were riders, seven were drivers using Uber's app, and four were third parties such as bystanders. At an event on Wednesday, Khosrowshahi said he prioritised improving Uber's culture and safety when assuming his role in 2017. At the time, Uber was dealing with regulatory fallout and public backlash over its business practices, forcing former CEO and founder Travis Kalanick to step down. "We had to change the culture internally and we simply got to do the right thing," Khosrowshahi said, adding that Uber was not hiding anything by publishing internal information. Rival Lyft Inc in a statement said it was committed to releasing its own safety report and sharing information on unsafe drivers. It did not state a release date for its report. Background checks Uber said it puts drivers through a vigorous background check before accepting them onto its platform. In its report, it said one million drivers failed to pass the screening test in 2017 and 2018 and more than 40,000 were removed from the app after extra screening layers. Regulators have long said Uber's screening process was insufficient and inferior to those in place for taxi drivers, with several US cities attempting to compel Uber to mandate fingerprinting of its drivers. New York City is currently the only US city where drivers have to provide fingerprints and undergo the same licensing requirements as regular taxi drivers. The New York City Transport and Limousine Commission did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Uber's safety report. In the past, it said fingerprinting was the only way to ensure proper safety. An Uber spokeswoman on Thursday said the firm's screening process was robust and rigorous, and was more reliable than the sometimes incomplete database for fingerprints.

Uber says it received over 3,000 reports of sexual assault in US in 2018

K-pop stars <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/second-south-korean-star-quits-as-k-pop-sex-scandal-spreads-202987">Jung Joon-young </a>and Choi Jong-hoon have been awarded jail sentence for gangraping drunk unconscious women. Jung has been given six years in jail and Choi has received a five-year term.&nbsp; 
 
Jung was also additional charged for filming and distributing footage of the rape, the Seoul Central District Court announced the&nbsp;verdict on Friday. 
 
The two convicted musicians have to go through 80 hours of sexual violence treatment courses and have been banned from working with children.

The court revealed that Jung, who was arrested in March, was a member of several online chat groups that shared <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/south-korea-arrests-two-for-spy-cameras-that-live-streamed-1600-motel-guests-204668">sex tapes </a>and circulated jokes about drugging and raping women.&nbsp; 
 
This is the latest in several sex scandals that have rocked the K-pop world scene lately, in recent years. 
 
Delivering the sentence, judge Kang Seong-soo said that Jung had raped women who were "drunk and unable to resist, filmed them nude and having sex, then spread it on a group chat".&nbsp; 
 
The shocking revelation about the two pop stars apparently came out while the police were probing a separate case -- involving K-pop superstar <a href="https://www.wionews.com/entertainment/k-pop-big-bang-member-booked-on-alleged-sex-bribery-company-shares-drop-202510">Seungri </a>who was reportedly a member of Jung`s group chat.

Seungri, who fronted a popular boy band named Big-bang, was charged with supplying prostitutes to potential business investors.

K-pop stars Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon have been awarded jail sentence for gangraping drunk unconscious women. Jung has been given six years in jail and Choi has received a five-year term.

K-pop stars Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon have been awarded jail sentence for gangraping drunk unconscious women. Jung has been given six years in jail and Choi has received a five-year term. Jung was also additional charged for filming and distributing footage of the rape, the Seoul Central District Court announced the verdict on Friday. The two convicted musicians have to go through 80 hours of sexual violence treatment courses and have been banned from working with children. The court revealed that Jung, who was arrested in March, was a member of several online chat groups that shared sex tapes and circulated jokes about drugging and raping women. This is the latest in several sex scandals that have rocked the K-pop world scene lately, in recent years. Delivering the sentence, judge Kang Seong-soo said that Jung had raped women who were "drunk and unable to resist, filmed them nude and having sex, then spread it on a group chat". The shocking revelation about the two pop stars apparently came out while the police were probing a separate case -- involving K-pop superstar Seungri who was reportedly a member of Jung`s group chat. Seungri, who fronted a popular boy band named Big-bang, was charged with supplying prostitutes to potential business investors.

K-pop stars Jung Joon-young and Choi Jong-hoon sentenced to jail for raping woman, sharing videos online

A New York judge has denied Harvey Weinstein`s request to dismiss two predatory sexual assault charges, ahead of the former Hollywood producer`s trial in January. 
 
The decision released on Wednesday by Justice James Burke of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan is a victory for prosecutors who have charged Weinstein with five sex crimes, including rape. 
 
Lawyers for Weinstein declined to comment in an email sent by their office. A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance declined to comment. 
 
Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to charges brought over allegations of sexual misconduct toward two female accusers in 2006 and 2013. 
 
A trial is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020. Weinstein could face a life sentence if convicted. 
 
Weinstein has also denied allegations by roughly 70 women of sexual misconduct dating back decades, saying any contact was consensual. 
 
In refusing to dismiss the predatory sexual assault charges, Burke rejected Weinstein`s claim that an alleged rape from the winter of 1993-94 occurred too long ago to serve as an "aggravating" and "underlying" crime, as required by state law. 
 
The judge, in the decision dated Nov. 26, also rejected Weinstein`s claims that dismissal was required because he had not been given fair notice of the earlier alleged rape, and because the grand jury that indicted him had been improperly convened. 
 
Prosecutors have said they intend to call the actress Annabella Sciorra, who has appeared in the TV series "The Sopranos" and movies such as "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," to testify that Weinstein raped her in 1993. 
 
Weinstein cannot be criminally charged with raping Sciorra because the statute of limitations has run out. 
 
Burke also ruled out expert defense testimony on several topics, such as the causes of "original misunderstandings of sexual intentions" and "the phenomenon of `voluntary unwanted sex.`" 
 
He said Weinstein`s lawyers can introduce expert testimony on other topics including how memory works and can be distorted, and whether there is a link been people`s confidence in their memory and the accuracy of that memory. 
 
Accusations against Weinstein helped spark the #MeToo movement in late 2017 - hundreds of women have accused powerful men in entertainment, business, media, politics and other fields of sexual misconduct.

A New York judge has denied Harvey Weinstein`s request to dismiss two predatory sexual assault charges, ahead of the former Hollywood producer`s trial in January.

A New York judge has denied Harvey Weinstein`s request to dismiss two predatory sexual assault charges, ahead of the former Hollywood producer`s trial in January. The decision released on Wednesday by Justice James Burke of the State Supreme Court in Manhattan is a victory for prosecutors who have charged Weinstein with five sex crimes, including rape. Lawyers for Weinstein declined to comment in an email sent by their office. A spokesman for Manhattan District Attorney Cyrus Vance declined to comment. Weinstein, 67, has pleaded not guilty to charges brought over allegations of sexual misconduct toward two female accusers in 2006 and 2013. A trial is scheduled for Jan. 6, 2020. Weinstein could face a life sentence if convicted. Weinstein has also denied allegations by roughly 70 women of sexual misconduct dating back decades, saying any contact was consensual. In refusing to dismiss the predatory sexual assault charges, Burke rejected Weinstein`s claim that an alleged rape from the winter of 1993-94 occurred too long ago to serve as an "aggravating" and "underlying" crime, as required by state law. The judge, in the decision dated Nov. 26, also rejected Weinstein`s claims that dismissal was required because he had not been given fair notice of the earlier alleged rape, and because the grand jury that indicted him had been improperly convened. Prosecutors have said they intend to call the actress Annabella Sciorra, who has appeared in the TV series "The Sopranos" and movies such as "The Hand That Rocks the Cradle," to testify that Weinstein raped her in 1993. Weinstein cannot be criminally charged with raping Sciorra because the statute of limitations has run out. Burke also ruled out expert defense testimony on several topics, such as the causes of "original misunderstandings of sexual intentions" and "the phenomenon of `voluntary unwanted sex.`" He said Weinstein`s lawyers can introduce expert testimony on other topics including how memory works and can be distorted, and whether there is a link been people`s confidence in their memory and the accuracy of that memory. Accusations against Weinstein helped spark the #MeToo movement in late 2017 - hundreds of women have accused powerful men in entertainment, business, media, politics and other fields of sexual misconduct.

Harvey Weinstein loses bid to dismiss sexual assault charges

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/.../canadas-use-of-huawei-5g-would-hamper-its- access-to-us-intelligence-us-official-264310">Canada</a> must pay almost a billion dollars in settlements to hundreds of military victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault and gender-based discrimination, a federal court ruled Monday.

The victims, some of whom still work in the Canadian armed forces or the defence ministry, filed class action lawsuits in 2016 and 2017 after an independent investigation found "an underlying sexualized culture" in Canada's armed forces "that is hostile to women and LGTBQ members, and conducive to more serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault."

A settlement was reached in July and endorsed by the vast majority of some 700 victims. The settlement was formally confirmed on Monday.

Each victim will receive between Can$5,000 ($3,760) and Can$50,000 depending on the gravity of the case.&nbsp;

Some plaintiffs "who experienced exceptional harm such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be eligible for up to an additional $100,000," the court ruled.

The settlement "contemplates numerous systemic changes and programs," including "a restorative engagement program and other measures to rebuild the relationship between class members and the military, and promote culture change."

The armed forces must also undergo an external five-year review that will measure the institution's progress in addressing sexual misconduct in order to make recommendations to senior military officials.

The top leadership of Canada's military has redoubled their efforts in recent years to eradicate cases of sexual assault and harassment in its ranks by providing better support to victims and punishing perpetrators more severely.

A November 2016 official probe found that at least three cases of sexual aggression took place every day in the Canadian armed forces, usually committed by a superior against a victim of lesser rank.

Canada must pay almost a billion dollars in settlements to hundreds of military victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault and gender-based discrimination, a federal court ruled Monday.

Canada must pay almost a billion dollars in settlements to hundreds of military victims of sexual harassment, sexual assault and gender-based discrimination, a federal court ruled Monday. The victims, some of whom still work in the Canadian armed forces or the defence ministry, filed class action lawsuits in 2016 and 2017 after an independent investigation found "an underlying sexualized culture" in Canada's armed forces "that is hostile to women and LGTBQ members, and conducive to more serious incidents of sexual harassment and assault." A settlement was reached in July and endorsed by the vast majority of some 700 victims. The settlement was formally confirmed on Monday. Each victim will receive between Can$5,000 ($3,760) and Can$50,000 depending on the gravity of the case. Some plaintiffs "who experienced exceptional harm such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) may be eligible for up to an additional $100,000," the court ruled. The settlement "contemplates numerous systemic changes and programs," including "a restorative engagement program and other measures to rebuild the relationship between class members and the military, and promote culture change." The armed forces must also undergo an external five-year review that will measure the institution's progress in addressing sexual misconduct in order to make recommendations to senior military officials. The top leadership of Canada's military has redoubled their efforts in recent years to eradicate cases of sexual assault and harassment in its ranks by providing better support to victims and punishing perpetrators more severely. A November 2016 official probe found that at least three cases of sexual aggression took place every day in the Canadian armed forces, usually committed by a superior against a victim of lesser rank.

Canada must pay up for military sexual assault victims: Federal court

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