Josh Powell, National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month

"Rape and sexual assault inflict profound suffering upon millions of Americans every year. Nearly one in five women has been raped, and still more have endured other forms of sexual violence or abuse."

Susan Powell's Parents: Josh Powell's Dad Knows What Happened To Missing Daughter 4/4/2012

....Josh Powell, the primary "person of interest" in the missing person case, killed himself and his two sons by setting fire to his home earlier this year. Despite evidence suggesting Josh played a role in Susan's disappearance, he was never arrested by authorities in West Valley City, Utah. As a result, Susan Powell's family believe the authorities are at least partially responsible for the death of her two sons, Braden, 5, and Charles, 7....

Court documents unsealed on Friday revealed that Susan Powell left a letter in a safety deposit box saying she did not trust her husband and that if she were to die, "it may not be an accident, even if it looks like one," the Associated Press reported.

Authorities also found Susan Powell's blood on a floor next to a sofa, which appeared to have been recently cleaned and had two fans set up to dry it.

Josh Powell, who is described in the documents as "unwilling to help" the investigation, said he took his two sons on a late-night camping trip the night Susan Powell disappeared. Investigators found Susan's cell phone in her husband's car, which he "did not have an answer" to explain, the Associated Press reported.

Susan's purse, keys and credit cards were among some of the other belongings found in the couple's bedroom. The documents also show that Susan Powell had several life insurance policies, totaling $1.5 million in value. "There is direct evidence. There is circumstantial evidence. There is motive," Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist told ABC News. "There is everything but the body."

The court documents also detail an apparent obsession Steven Powell had with his daughter-in-law. In a cabinet belonging to Steven Powell, authorities found several images of Susan, some of which showed her in her underwear, while others featured her face copied onto other women's naked bodies. Another image depicted Steven Powell masturbating to an image of his daughter-in-law. According to Susan Powell's personal journals, she did not want anything to do with Steven Powell, whom she described as a pedophile.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/04/04/susan-powell-josh-powell-charles-judy-cox-steven-utah_n_1403293.html



Presidential Proclamation -- National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month, 2012

BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

Though we have come far in the fight to reduce sexual violence, the prevalence of sexual assault remains an affront to our national conscience that we cannot ignore. This month, we stand with survivors of sexual assault, join together to break the silence, and recommit to ending this devastating crime.

Rape and sexual assault inflict profound suffering upon millions of Americans every year. Nearly one in five women has been raped, and still more have endured other forms of sexual violence or abuse. Tragically, these crimes take their greatest toll on young people; women between the ages of 16 and 24 are at greatest risk of rape and sexual assault, and many victims, male and female, first experience abuse during childhood. The trauma of sexual violence leaves scars that may never fully heal. Many survivors experience depression, fear, and suicidal feelings in the months and years following an assault, and some face health problems that last a lifetime.

It is up to all of us to ensure victims of sexual violence are not left to face these trials alone. Too often, survivors suffer in silence, fearing retribution, lack of support, or that the criminal justice system will fail to bring the perpetrator to justice. We must do more to raise awareness about the realities of sexual assault; confront and change insensitive attitudes wherever they persist; enhance training and education in the criminal justice system; and expand access to critical health, legal, and protection services for survivors. As we fight sexual assault in our communities, so must we combat this crime within our Armed Forces.
http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/04/02/presidential-proclamation-national-sexual-assault-awareness-and-preventi