sexual abuse

Slavery. It’s an abomination. And it goes without saying that survivors of modern-day slavery — human trafficking — should be able to access all of the services they need to protect their health and rebuild their lives. That is, unless you’re talking to the powerful political lobbyist, the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

Whatever it turns out your sexuality and relationships are like, whatever it turns out you want from them, they're about much, much more than your abuse.

Details are still emerging regarding Scott Brown's history of sexual and emotional abuse. But it's worth asking: will he now lead a fight against GOP/Tea Party efforts to eliminate programs to assist victims and GOP efforts to "redefine rape?"

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson

Last night, the House Republicans banded together at the last minute on purely specious grounds to defeat legislation aimed at preventing child marriage worldwide.

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson

The recession affects women of reproductive age and their access to health care and contraception. Also, Bishop Eddie Long is accused of sexual abuse, and activists work to improve HIV health care for women and their children worldwide.

Follow Amanda Marcotte on Twitter, @amandamarcotte

Human Rights Watch recently released a report detailing reports and allegations of sexual abuse and assault in ICE detention facilities across the United States. Though this is not an exhaustive account, the report uses the information to reflect on why the abuse is occurring, what policies are being implemented in response and recommendations on how to stem the abuse going forward.

At least 60,500 federal and state prison inmates were sexually abused at their current facility in the preceding year alone, according to a 2007 nationwide study by the Bureau of Justice Statistics (BJS). A similar study revealed that nearly 25,000 county jail detainees were sexually abused in the prior six months. This violence is not limited to adult prisoners – in January, another BJS report found that almost one in eight youth in juvenile detention reported being sexually abused in the preceding year; at the worst facilities, one in three kids were victimized.

Denial.  I know.  It's not just a river in Egypt.  But it is, it appears, as wide and deep as an ocean, especially when it comes to sexual harassment and sexual abuse. 

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson

Continuing the pattern of the institutional Catholic Church's response to sexual abuse of children by priests in the United States, the Netherlands' Handelsblad.com reports that the Dutch Catholic Church for years ignored reports by children and families that sexual abuse of boys by priests was rife in Catholic schools.

Follow Jodi Jacobson on Twitter, @jljacobson