Casey Anthony Case Overshadows Widespread Abuse and Neglect of America's Kids By Kristi Murphy July 15, 2011
The Casey Anthony trial and the terrible story of the death and dismemberment of 8-year-old Leiby Kletsky in Brooklyn this week has captivated our nation like so many high profile cases in the past. While many might believe that cases like this will bring attention to the issue of protecting our children, at the end of the day these individual stories only highlight the tip of the iceberg. The reality is that 150 children, most under the age of four, die every month from abuse or neglect. While high profile cases do bring awareness, they take our focus off the real issue of suffering children and instead keep us embroiled in speculation and legalities.
Despite intense public and media scrutiny of cases such as Susan Smith in 1994, JonBenet Ramsey in 1996, Andrea Yates in 2001 and Baby Gabriel in 2009, the number of child deaths from abuse keeps rising and these abused children become tabloid fodder. According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), more than 3.3 million reports of child abuse are made every year, or about one every 10 seconds. The 2009 Child Maltreatment report from HHS estimates that 1,770 child abuse deaths occurred in 2009, averaging to five per day and this number is on the rise. Child abuse occurs at every socioeconomic level, across ethnic and cultural lines, within all religions and at all levels of education. Child abuse is an epidemic and brutal deaths happen every day in neighborhoods just like those in which we all live....
http://www.foxnews.com/opinion/2011/07/15/casey-anthony-case-overshadows-widespread-abuse-and-neglect-americas-kids/
Friday, July 15, 2011
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Casey Anthony Sexual Abuse Allegations, Irish Report of Abuse in Catholic Church
articles:
Damaging Letters Released in Casey Anthony Case
Irish Report Finds Abuse Persisting in Catholic Church
Commission of Investigation - Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne - Cloyne Report
Damaging Letters Released in Casey Anthony Case
Apr 7, 2010 Michelle Ruiz
(April 7) -- Newly released letters exchanged between Casey Anthony and a jailhouse companion could provide valuable new evidence for prosecutors in their case against the woman accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, in 2008.
Florida prosecutors on Tuesday released more than 250 pages of handwritten correspondence between Anthony and fellow inmate Robyn Adams, in which Anthony writes that the baby sitter she said abducted Caylee, Zenaida Gonzalez, did not exist. They also reveal details about Caylee's remains that investigators say only the killer would know....
"The letters released today reflect the natural desire for companionship when isolated for 23 hours a day," the statement said. "Casey Anthony maintains her innocence and looks forward to her day in court."
Writing in schoolgirl-style penmanship, Anthony also levels sexual abuse allegations against her brother, Lee, saying he fondled her in her bedroom between the ages of 12 and 15. Anthony wrote that her mother, Cindy, dismissed her when she approached her about the alleged abuse.
"I was to blame for my own brother coming into my room at night and feeling my breasts while I slept," Anthony wrote. "When I told my mom about it two years ago, she made excuses, saying that he was sleepwalking."
Anthony also told Adams she "thinks" her father, George, may have touched her inappropriately when she was a child, writing: "I think my dad used to do the same thing to me, but when I was much younger."
George and Cindy Anthony denied any abuse occurred in their family. Their attorney, Brad Conway, said in a statement that there was never "a time when Casey told them of inappropriate conduct by her brother or father," according to Orlando's WESH-TV.
Investigators said Anthony and Adams exchanged their letters through books in the prison library, agreeing to flush them after reading. But Adams mailed Anthony's letters to a friend, Tracey Nealley. http://www.aolnews.com/2010/04/07/damaging-jailhouse-letters-released-in-casey-anthony-case/
Irish Report Finds Abuse Persisting in Catholic Church
By DOUGLAS DALBY and RACHEL DONADIO July 13, 2011
DUBLIN — The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland was covering up the sexual abuse of children by priests as recently as 2009, long after it issued guidelines meant to protect children, and the Vatican tacitly encouraged the cover-up by ignoring the guidelines, according to a scathing report issued Wednesday by the Irish government....
In Germany on Wednesday, the country’s Roman Catholic bishops took new steps to bring previously unreported abuse to light. The German bishops said they would allow outside investigators to look for abuse cases in diocesan personnel records dating back at least 10 years, and in some cases all the way to 1945, though there were indications that some crucial records may have already been destroyed.
In both Germany and Ireland, the abuse scandal has touched the highest echelons of the church. The new developments showed the tensions between civil and ecclesiastical justice in a crisis that has shaken the church’s moral authority worldwide. The Irish report in particular revealed a complex tug of war between the Irish church and the Vatican over how to handle abuse, with a fine line between confusion and obstruction.
The Cloyne Report, as it is known, drafted by an independent investigative committee headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy, found that the clergy in the Diocese of Cloyne, a rural area of County Cork, did not act on complaints against 19 priests from 1996 to 2009. The report also found that two allegations against one priest were reported to the police, but that there was no evidence of any subsequent inquiry.
John Magee, the bishop of Cloyne since 1987, who had previously served as private secretary to three popes, resigned last year. In a statement on Wednesday, Bishop Magee offered a “sincere apology,” but he did not accept direct responsibility for covering up the abuse.
“While I was fully supportive of the procedures, I now realize that I should have taken a much firmer role in ensuring their implementation,” Bishop Magee said. “I accept in its entirety the commission’s view that the primary responsibility for the failure to fully implement the church procedures in the diocese lay with me.”
The Cloyne Report is the Irish government’s fourth in recent years on aspects of the scandal. It shows that abuses were still occurring and being covered up 13 years after the church in Ireland issued child protection guidelines in 1996, and that civil officials were failing to investigate allegations. The report warned that other dioceses might have similar failings....
Cardinal Brady issued an apology on Wednesday and called for more openness and cooperation with civil authorities. He has been fighting calls for his resignation since last year, when he acknowledged helping to conceal the crimes of one serial-rapist priest from Irish authorities in the mid-1970s. ...
After a 2009 report found that thousands of children were abused in state-run Catholic boarding schools from the 1930s to the 1990s, the Irish government paid hundreds of millions of euros in compensation to the victims.
One in Four, an organization of Irish abuse victims, said that the new report “documents a familiar saga of priests sexually abusing children with impunity, protected by senior churchmen conspiring to cover up the abuse with an astounding indifference to the safety of children.” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/world/europe/14church.html
The Cloyne Report
Published: July 13, 2011
Report by Commission of Investigation into the handling by Church and State authorities of allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse against clerics of the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/07/14/world/europe/14church-report.html
Commission of Investigation - Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne
December 2010 http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/216118/cloyne-report.pdf
Damaging Letters Released in Casey Anthony Case
Irish Report Finds Abuse Persisting in Catholic Church
Commission of Investigation - Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne - Cloyne Report
Damaging Letters Released in Casey Anthony Case
Apr 7, 2010 Michelle Ruiz
(April 7) -- Newly released letters exchanged between Casey Anthony and a jailhouse companion could provide valuable new evidence for prosecutors in their case against the woman accused of murdering her 2-year-old daughter, Caylee, in 2008.
Florida prosecutors on Tuesday released more than 250 pages of handwritten correspondence between Anthony and fellow inmate Robyn Adams, in which Anthony writes that the baby sitter she said abducted Caylee, Zenaida Gonzalez, did not exist. They also reveal details about Caylee's remains that investigators say only the killer would know....
"The letters released today reflect the natural desire for companionship when isolated for 23 hours a day," the statement said. "Casey Anthony maintains her innocence and looks forward to her day in court."
Writing in schoolgirl-style penmanship, Anthony also levels sexual abuse allegations against her brother, Lee, saying he fondled her in her bedroom between the ages of 12 and 15. Anthony wrote that her mother, Cindy, dismissed her when she approached her about the alleged abuse.
"I was to blame for my own brother coming into my room at night and feeling my breasts while I slept," Anthony wrote. "When I told my mom about it two years ago, she made excuses, saying that he was sleepwalking."
Anthony also told Adams she "thinks" her father, George, may have touched her inappropriately when she was a child, writing: "I think my dad used to do the same thing to me, but when I was much younger."
George and Cindy Anthony denied any abuse occurred in their family. Their attorney, Brad Conway, said in a statement that there was never "a time when Casey told them of inappropriate conduct by her brother or father," according to Orlando's WESH-TV.
Investigators said Anthony and Adams exchanged their letters through books in the prison library, agreeing to flush them after reading. But Adams mailed Anthony's letters to a friend, Tracey Nealley. http://www.aolnews.com/2010/04/07/damaging-jailhouse-letters-released-in-casey-anthony-case/
Irish Report Finds Abuse Persisting in Catholic Church
By DOUGLAS DALBY and RACHEL DONADIO July 13, 2011
DUBLIN — The Roman Catholic Church in Ireland was covering up the sexual abuse of children by priests as recently as 2009, long after it issued guidelines meant to protect children, and the Vatican tacitly encouraged the cover-up by ignoring the guidelines, according to a scathing report issued Wednesday by the Irish government....
In Germany on Wednesday, the country’s Roman Catholic bishops took new steps to bring previously unreported abuse to light. The German bishops said they would allow outside investigators to look for abuse cases in diocesan personnel records dating back at least 10 years, and in some cases all the way to 1945, though there were indications that some crucial records may have already been destroyed.
In both Germany and Ireland, the abuse scandal has touched the highest echelons of the church. The new developments showed the tensions between civil and ecclesiastical justice in a crisis that has shaken the church’s moral authority worldwide. The Irish report in particular revealed a complex tug of war between the Irish church and the Vatican over how to handle abuse, with a fine line between confusion and obstruction.
The Cloyne Report, as it is known, drafted by an independent investigative committee headed by Judge Yvonne Murphy, found that the clergy in the Diocese of Cloyne, a rural area of County Cork, did not act on complaints against 19 priests from 1996 to 2009. The report also found that two allegations against one priest were reported to the police, but that there was no evidence of any subsequent inquiry.
John Magee, the bishop of Cloyne since 1987, who had previously served as private secretary to three popes, resigned last year. In a statement on Wednesday, Bishop Magee offered a “sincere apology,” but he did not accept direct responsibility for covering up the abuse.
“While I was fully supportive of the procedures, I now realize that I should have taken a much firmer role in ensuring their implementation,” Bishop Magee said. “I accept in its entirety the commission’s view that the primary responsibility for the failure to fully implement the church procedures in the diocese lay with me.”
The Cloyne Report is the Irish government’s fourth in recent years on aspects of the scandal. It shows that abuses were still occurring and being covered up 13 years after the church in Ireland issued child protection guidelines in 1996, and that civil officials were failing to investigate allegations. The report warned that other dioceses might have similar failings....
Cardinal Brady issued an apology on Wednesday and called for more openness and cooperation with civil authorities. He has been fighting calls for his resignation since last year, when he acknowledged helping to conceal the crimes of one serial-rapist priest from Irish authorities in the mid-1970s. ...
After a 2009 report found that thousands of children were abused in state-run Catholic boarding schools from the 1930s to the 1990s, the Irish government paid hundreds of millions of euros in compensation to the victims.
One in Four, an organization of Irish abuse victims, said that the new report “documents a familiar saga of priests sexually abusing children with impunity, protected by senior churchmen conspiring to cover up the abuse with an astounding indifference to the safety of children.” http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/14/world/europe/14church.html
The Cloyne Report
Published: July 13, 2011
Report by Commission of Investigation into the handling by Church and State authorities of allegations and suspicions of child sexual abuse against clerics of the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne. http://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2011/07/14/world/europe/14church-report.html
Commission of Investigation - Report into the Catholic Diocese of Cloyne
December 2010 http://s3.documentcloud.org/documents/216118/cloyne-report.pdf
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
Caylee Anthony ripple hits state, Witness Tampering Casey Anthony Trial Alleged
Caylee Anthony ripple hits state By Jason Cato, PITTSBURGH TRIBUNE-REVIEW Wednesday, July 13, 2011
A wave of legislation in response to the Casey Anthony verdict soon could touch Pennsylvania; a Philadelphia lawmaker said he intends to strengthen state laws to better protect children.
"I was motivated by the protection of children," said Sen. Larry Farnese, a Democrat. "Nothing is more important to me as a legislator."
Legal and child-abuse prevention experts question whether such laws would help because, they said, cases such as Anthony's are rare. Anthony, 25, is scheduled for release from jail on Sunday. A Florida jury last week cleared her of charges she killed her toddler daughter, Caylee....
Farnese said he envisions "Caylee's Law," which would change concealing the death of a child from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty of seven years incarceration and a $15,000 fine. Farnese plans to introduce another bill that would make neglecting to report a missing child to authorities a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine....
Lawmakers in at least 17 other states, including West Virginia and Ohio, are considering similar bills. A petition on Change.org urging such laws drew nearly 1.2 million signatures by Tuesday. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_746454.html
Witness Tampering At Casey Anthony Trial Alleged By Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings 7/13/11 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities were looking into allegations of witness tampering during Casey Anthony's murder trial, a Florida sheriff said Tuesday during a wide-ranging news conference with his top investigators in what he said was an effort to bring closure to a case that polarized the country.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings also revealed that prosecutors were considering perjury charges against Anthony's mother, but a spokeswoman for the state attorney's office later said they would not be pursued....
Anthony's defense said Caylee accidentally drowned in the family pool and her father, a former police officer, helped cover it up. Anthony's partying and shopping during the month before her daughter was reported missing was caused in part by her father's sexual abuse, her attorneys said.
George Anthony denied the claims in court, and investigators said Tuesday they were rebuffed by the defense team when they tried to interview her about the allegations....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/13/witness-tampering-casey-anthony_n_896806.html?icid=maing-grid7|maing10|dl1|sec1_lnk3|77564
A wave of legislation in response to the Casey Anthony verdict soon could touch Pennsylvania; a Philadelphia lawmaker said he intends to strengthen state laws to better protect children.
"I was motivated by the protection of children," said Sen. Larry Farnese, a Democrat. "Nothing is more important to me as a legislator."
Legal and child-abuse prevention experts question whether such laws would help because, they said, cases such as Anthony's are rare. Anthony, 25, is scheduled for release from jail on Sunday. A Florida jury last week cleared her of charges she killed her toddler daughter, Caylee....
Farnese said he envisions "Caylee's Law," which would change concealing the death of a child from a first-degree misdemeanor to a third-degree felony with a maximum penalty of seven years incarceration and a $15,000 fine. Farnese plans to introduce another bill that would make neglecting to report a missing child to authorities a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to five years in jail and a $10,000 fine....
Lawmakers in at least 17 other states, including West Virginia and Ohio, are considering similar bills. A petition on Change.org urging such laws drew nearly 1.2 million signatures by Tuesday. http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/s_746454.html
Witness Tampering At Casey Anthony Trial Alleged By Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings 7/13/11 ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) -- Authorities were looking into allegations of witness tampering during Casey Anthony's murder trial, a Florida sheriff said Tuesday during a wide-ranging news conference with his top investigators in what he said was an effort to bring closure to a case that polarized the country.
Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings also revealed that prosecutors were considering perjury charges against Anthony's mother, but a spokeswoman for the state attorney's office later said they would not be pursued....
Anthony's defense said Caylee accidentally drowned in the family pool and her father, a former police officer, helped cover it up. Anthony's partying and shopping during the month before her daughter was reported missing was caused in part by her father's sexual abuse, her attorneys said.
George Anthony denied the claims in court, and investigators said Tuesday they were rebuffed by the defense team when they tried to interview her about the allegations....
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/13/witness-tampering-casey-anthony_n_896806.html?icid=maing-grid7|maing10|dl1|sec1_lnk3|77564
Survivorship Ritual Abuse Webinars
Upcoming Webinar:
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Time: noon Pacific Time
Presenter: Brianna Pruett
Topic: From Self-Preservation to Self-Celebration - Self Care for Ritual Abuse Survivors.
Brianna Pruett, a survivor of ritual abuse and government-sponsored mind control projects, is a 28-year-old psychology student and musician. She has worked with Randy Noblitt in educating students at Alliant University and maintains a commitment to speaking the truth and empowering other survivors as well as herself. Her website is www.briannaleapruett.com.
The webinar focus will be on basic self-care information -- such as nutrition, hygiene, and body care -- with special tips and thoughts for survivors of ritual abuse, as well as on regaining/reclaiming self-care skills we may have discarded along with the abusive situations.
REGISTRATION
Registration closes Thursday evening July 28, 2011
To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org and give her this information:
1.Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend: From Self-Preservation to Self-Celebration - Self Care for Ritual Abuse Survivors.
3. Amount and method of payment (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)
You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a guide and instructions after the registration closes
COST
Webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship (Please remember to factor in the cost of the telephone call.)
The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html
If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.
FUTURE WEBINARS
Saturday, August 27th
noon Pacific Time
Journaling: Going Beyond the Book!
Presenter: Flower
Do you have a narrow view of journaling? Are you under the impression that there is only "one right way" to do it? Does the thought of journaling bore you to tears? Is it something you feel you need to do, but you have no idea where or how to start? Come to this Webinar and get some ideas for journaling that go beyond the traditional "book" idea. Abigail, aka Flower, has done different types of journaling over the years and she would love to share with you some of the different things she has tried. Who knows? Perhaps you will find something that appeals to you!
Flower grew up in a generational SRA cult family, but was unaware of that until much later in life. She is a long time member of Survivorship and has done one other Webinar: How a Non-Artist Uses Art for Healing. She has a strong faith in her Creator and has known Yeshua/Jesus since she was a small child...which is reflected in her healing journey and many of her writings. One of her hobbies is taking photos and combining them with encouraging words. Her love of writing is reflected in poetry, private journaling, and several blogs. One blog focuses specifically on her thoughts as a survivor and in another, she shares a lot of the artwork she has done as part of her healing journey (including the pieces she shared in her Webinar). In a third one, she is starting to put up her poetry. She also juggles being a wife and home educating mom.
Saturday, September 17
noon Pacific Time
Memory & Survivors
Presenter: Alikina
Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: 'is it true, did it happen?' or 'why can't I remember?', or even 'why do I keep having intrusive memories?'. As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we've been lead to believe 'normal' memory works. We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories. Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered. This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.
Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past. She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.
PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars in the members' section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html
Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html
Date: Saturday, July 30, 2011
Time: noon Pacific Time
Presenter: Brianna Pruett
Topic: From Self-Preservation to Self-Celebration - Self Care for Ritual Abuse Survivors.
Brianna Pruett, a survivor of ritual abuse and government-sponsored mind control projects, is a 28-year-old psychology student and musician. She has worked with Randy Noblitt in educating students at Alliant University and maintains a commitment to speaking the truth and empowering other survivors as well as herself. Her website is www.briannaleapruett.com.
The webinar focus will be on basic self-care information -- such as nutrition, hygiene, and body care -- with special tips and thoughts for survivors of ritual abuse, as well as on regaining/reclaiming self-care skills we may have discarded along with the abusive situations.
REGISTRATION
Registration closes Thursday evening July 28, 2011
To reserve a space in the webinar, e-mail Shamai at shamai@survivorship.org and give her this information:
1.Your name
2. The webinar you wish to attend: From Self-Preservation to Self-Celebration - Self Care for Ritual Abuse Survivors.
3. Amount and method of payment (check, PayPal, money order)
4. Your preferred e-mail address (so we can send you instructions)
5. The name you will be using for the webinar. (This does not have to be your real name or your message board screen name.)
You will receive a confirmation email immediately and a guide and instructions after the registration closes
COST
Webinars are on a sliding scale from $50.00 to full scholarship (Please remember to factor in the cost of the telephone call.)
The PayPal button is near the bottom of the page at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html
If you wish to pay by check please send it to: Survivorship, Family Justice Center, 470 27th Street, Oakland, CA 94612.
FUTURE WEBINARS
Saturday, August 27th
noon Pacific Time
Journaling: Going Beyond the Book!
Presenter: Flower
Do you have a narrow view of journaling? Are you under the impression that there is only "one right way" to do it? Does the thought of journaling bore you to tears? Is it something you feel you need to do, but you have no idea where or how to start? Come to this Webinar and get some ideas for journaling that go beyond the traditional "book" idea. Abigail, aka Flower, has done different types of journaling over the years and she would love to share with you some of the different things she has tried. Who knows? Perhaps you will find something that appeals to you!
Flower grew up in a generational SRA cult family, but was unaware of that until much later in life. She is a long time member of Survivorship and has done one other Webinar: How a Non-Artist Uses Art for Healing. She has a strong faith in her Creator and has known Yeshua/Jesus since she was a small child...which is reflected in her healing journey and many of her writings. One of her hobbies is taking photos and combining them with encouraging words. Her love of writing is reflected in poetry, private journaling, and several blogs. One blog focuses specifically on her thoughts as a survivor and in another, she shares a lot of the artwork she has done as part of her healing journey (including the pieces she shared in her Webinar). In a third one, she is starting to put up her poetry. She also juggles being a wife and home educating mom.
Saturday, September 17
noon Pacific Time
Memory & Survivors
Presenter: Alikina
Most survivors have questions about their memory processes at some time: 'is it true, did it happen?' or 'why can't I remember?', or even 'why do I keep having intrusive memories?'. As we heal, we also become aware of times when our memories seem different than how we've been lead to believe 'normal' memory works. We feel like we forget too much, or we have nearly perfect memories. Often questions about memories of abuse are addressed in therapy, groups, books, etc; but questions about the everyday workings of memory, and how abuse may be affecting our brain function, stay unanswered. This webinar will primarily focus on what current psychological science knows about basic memory processes, as well as issues unique to the survivor community, learning styles and how they affect memory, tricks to assist remembering, and plenty of Q & A time.
Alikina is a survivor of severe abuse and a current grad-school student halfway through her Master's Degree in Mental Health Counseling. She has presented articles and webinars for Survivorship in the past. She has worked with abuse survivors through community support organizations and been in therapy as both the client and the therapist, and plans to work with abuse and trauma survivors as her career path.
PAST WEBINARS
Survivorship members may listen to past webinars in the members' section.
For information on joining Survivorship, go to http://www.survivorship.org/about/membership.html
Complete details on all our webinars are at http://www.survivorship.org/webinars.html
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
People upset with Casey Anthony trial can fight child abuse, unreported abuse
also:
Christian Choate Abuse: More Than A Dozen Knew About Beatings
People upset with Casey Anthony trial can help fight child abuse by Mary Avila 07.08.2011
Across the country many are furious with the Casey Anthony verdict and believe justice wasn't served for her 2-year-old daughter Caylee. "People who are angry and upset need to pick up the phone and call casa or call the children's advocacy centers," said Alicia Gracia the Executive Director at CASA. "And say how can I help these children now." CASA is a group of special advocates who volunteer their time to children in cases of abuse or neglect....
Just this year Gracia said they've seen over 5000 confirmed cases of child abuse. "Its horrifying to hear an 8 year old little boy who is being raped by mother's boyfriend to find his mother walked in on them only to say don't be changing rooms if you all are going to be doing that," said Gracia. "Can you imagine what he felt to look into her eyes and hear her say that." At Casa they see at least 100 victims of abuse or neglect come through their doors monthly.
http://goo.gl/9HwJS
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=638348
describes crimes
Christian Choate Abuse: More Than A Dozen Knew About Beatings 7/11/11 The tragic story of Christian Choate, the Gary, Indiana boy who was allegedly locked in a cage, beaten and ultimately killed by his father and stepmother, was apparently known to several family members, neighbors and others.
But almost all of the at least 13 people who knew about Choate's abuse didn't report it to authorities, out of either apathy, uncertainty, or fear of retribution, according to a new report in the Northwest Indiana Times.
Riley Choate, Christian's father, and Kimberly Kubina, his stepmother, are charged with murder and several other felonies after the boy's body was discovered in a shallow concrete grave earlier this year. According to authorities, the two kept Christian locked in a dog cage, fed him infrequently, and beat him regularly for the last year of his life. One such beating apparently took his life on April 4, 2009. http://goo.gl/s0Tc4
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/christian-choate-abuse-mo_n_894820.html
Who knew Christian Choate was being abused? By Lindsay Machak and Marisa Kwiatkowski Times Staff Writers Sunday, July 10, 2011
More than 13 people may have known of alleged abuse endured by Christian Choate before his 2009 death, but most said nothing to authorities, a Times review of Indiana Department of Child Services records shows. Only one adult claims to have brought her concerns to law enforcement. The rest appear to have kept silent -- some claiming fear, others because they allegedly were the ones hurting the boy.
http://goo.gl/YS2vH
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/article_6c37d91b-093a-5596-9455-f348882c4b58.html
Christian Choate Abuse: More Than A Dozen Knew About Beatings
People upset with Casey Anthony trial can help fight child abuse by Mary Avila 07.08.2011
Across the country many are furious with the Casey Anthony verdict and believe justice wasn't served for her 2-year-old daughter Caylee. "People who are angry and upset need to pick up the phone and call casa or call the children's advocacy centers," said Alicia Gracia the Executive Director at CASA. "And say how can I help these children now." CASA is a group of special advocates who volunteer their time to children in cases of abuse or neglect....
Just this year Gracia said they've seen over 5000 confirmed cases of child abuse. "Its horrifying to hear an 8 year old little boy who is being raped by mother's boyfriend to find his mother walked in on them only to say don't be changing rooms if you all are going to be doing that," said Gracia. "Can you imagine what he felt to look into her eyes and hear her say that." At Casa they see at least 100 victims of abuse or neglect come through their doors monthly.
http://goo.gl/9HwJS
http://www.valleycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=638348
describes crimes
Christian Choate Abuse: More Than A Dozen Knew About Beatings 7/11/11 The tragic story of Christian Choate, the Gary, Indiana boy who was allegedly locked in a cage, beaten and ultimately killed by his father and stepmother, was apparently known to several family members, neighbors and others.
But almost all of the at least 13 people who knew about Choate's abuse didn't report it to authorities, out of either apathy, uncertainty, or fear of retribution, according to a new report in the Northwest Indiana Times.
Riley Choate, Christian's father, and Kimberly Kubina, his stepmother, are charged with murder and several other felonies after the boy's body was discovered in a shallow concrete grave earlier this year. According to authorities, the two kept Christian locked in a dog cage, fed him infrequently, and beat him regularly for the last year of his life. One such beating apparently took his life on April 4, 2009. http://goo.gl/s0Tc4
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/christian-choate-abuse-mo_n_894820.html
Who knew Christian Choate was being abused? By Lindsay Machak and Marisa Kwiatkowski Times Staff Writers Sunday, July 10, 2011
More than 13 people may have known of alleged abuse endured by Christian Choate before his 2009 death, but most said nothing to authorities, a Times review of Indiana Department of Child Services records shows. Only one adult claims to have brought her concerns to law enforcement. The rest appear to have kept silent -- some claiming fear, others because they allegedly were the ones hurting the boy.
http://goo.gl/YS2vH
http://www.nwitimes.com/news/local/lake/crown-point/article_6c37d91b-093a-5596-9455-f348882c4b58.html
Monday, July 11, 2011
Caylee Anthony - sealed photographs and warrants, Barnes Murder: Child P_rn Link
also:
Caylee Anthony - killed for child p_rnography?
Phylicia Barnes Murder: Child P_rn Link Under Investigation
How many children are reported missing each year?
- 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time
describes crimes
NOT GUILTY VERDICT IS THE RIGHT RESULT – BUT WE’RE NOT DONE YET
2011 July 8 by Wendy Murphy
People outside the courthouse in Orange County Florida, and across the country, are outraged by the acquittal of Casey Anthony in the murder of her toddler daughter, Caylee, and they have every reason to feel angry. But their energy is misplaced. Justice for Caylee is still possible, notwithstanding the acquittal, if people call for full disclosure of the entire investigative file – including an unsealing of the evidence thus far hidden from public view.
Release of the photographs of Caylee that were seized from the Anthony home and placed “under seal” by the court would be a good place to start. Many people are not even aware that a lot of evidence in the case is under seal, which itself is problematic. But the simple fact is, there’s far more to be said about what hasn’t been revealed in this case than what we’ve seen thus far.
In addition to the sealed photographs, there are search warrants under seal. Assuming the sealed photographs of Caylee involve sexual content, warrants would have been issued authorizing a search for child pornography in computers and elsewhere. The public may have had no right to see this evidence while the case was pending because it might have prevented Casey from getting a fair trial, but now that she’s been acquitted, everything should be released. And if the photographs can’t be released lawfully because of what they show, a description of what they reveal is an acceptable substitute. Courts describe inappropriate photographs of children all the time without releasing the images....
And while the state opined that the child was killed so that Casey could go out partying, didn’t it seem a bit of, um, overkill that a mother would seal her child’s entire face shut with three levels of duct tape, then put her in a trunk, as a way of keeping the child quiet so she could have fun? If it was an accidental killing, wouldn’t it have been enough to put her in the back seat with one piece? The prosecutor said Casey intentionally killed Caylee so she could be free to go out partying, but on the day the child was last seen alive, Casey stayed home all night watching movies. Where was the party?
The style of Caylee’s death was more mob hit than parental homicide. And though the state claimed that Casey was the only one who could have killed the child, which is a compelling argument that often proves murder beyond a reasonable doubt in cases where there is no reasonable basis for believing that anyone else was involved, there were too many gaping holes in the timing of the state’s theory of what happened to sustain that idea in this case....
As Casey’s brother Lee testified at trial, Casey was told that Caylee was taken from Casey to “teach her a lesson”. If, as I wrote in an earlier column, Casey knew the people who had Caylee, and stayed quiet in the hope they would give her child back, her failure to report Caylee missing makes sense.
All of this provides some explanation for the not guilty verdict, but it also leaves us with the new responsibility of demanding immediate and full disclosure of the case file. When a child is killed, her mom or dad can be expected to lead the fight for justice and demand that state officials tell the truth about what they know. But when a parent is involved, the rest of us have to step up. Millions of people have watched this case unfold from day one, riveted by the story of a little girl who was tossed away like trash and a mother who didn’t seem to care. If we paid attention because our concern is sincere, we will keep fighting for Caylee until the whole truth is known. If we watched, instead, out of some sadistic voyeurism or need to feel better as mothers and fathers by jabbing a judgmental finger of blame at a worse parent, there will never be justice for Caylee – or any child – and it will our fault.
http://goo.gl/MSqER
http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/front-page/2011/07/not-guilty-verdict-is-the-right-result-but-were-not-done-yet/#axzz1RrCRW6vd
Caylee Anthony - killed for child pornography? By James R. Marsh on July 11, 2011
Child advocate Wendy Murphy has a compelling blog entry about the Casey Anthony acquittal entitled "Not Guilty Verdict is the Right Result - But We're Not Done Yet."
Murphy argues that "Justice for Caylee is still possible, notwithstanding the acquittal, if people call for full disclosure of the entire investigative file - including an unsealing of the evidence thus far hidden from public view. Release of the photographs of Caylee that were seized from the Anthony home and placed “under seal” by the court would be a good place to start."
Law enforcement may have discovered "sexualized" images of Caylee on the Anthony family computers which were placed under seal to avoid prejudicing the jury. Murphy believes that "The style of Caylee’s death was more mob hit than parental homicide."....
http://goo.gl/Kmy73
http://www.childlaw.us/2011/07/caylee-anthony-killed-for-ch.html
Phylicia Barnes Murder: Child Porn Link Under Investigation
7/11/11 The Phylicia Barnes murder case is being investigated for a possible link to child pornography and sexual exploitation, ABC news reports. The FBI is pursing warrants in order to gain legal access to the email and Facebook accounts of Barnes and four men from Baltimore.
An article from the Charlotte Observer reported that investigators have "reason to believe" that the warrants will result in uncovering evidence of child sex crimes or pornography.
Although the autopsy ruled Barnes' death a homicide, authorities have not announced a cause of death in the hopes that they can question suspects about it in the future, Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley told ABC News.
http://goo.gl/EdeHo
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/phylicia-barnes-murder-child-porn_n_894749.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk3|77185
Statistics - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
How many children are reported missing each year?
The U.S. Department of Justice reports
797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.
203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.
58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.
115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.)
[Andrea J. Sedlak, David Finkelhor, Heather Hammer, and Dana J. Schultz. U.S. Department of Justice. "National Estimates of Missing Children: An Overview" in National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 5.]
http://goo.gl/4XHD0
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2810#1
Caylee Anthony - killed for child p_rnography?
Phylicia Barnes Murder: Child P_rn Link Under Investigation
How many children are reported missing each year?
- 797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time
describes crimes
NOT GUILTY VERDICT IS THE RIGHT RESULT – BUT WE’RE NOT DONE YET
2011 July 8 by Wendy Murphy
People outside the courthouse in Orange County Florida, and across the country, are outraged by the acquittal of Casey Anthony in the murder of her toddler daughter, Caylee, and they have every reason to feel angry. But their energy is misplaced. Justice for Caylee is still possible, notwithstanding the acquittal, if people call for full disclosure of the entire investigative file – including an unsealing of the evidence thus far hidden from public view.
Release of the photographs of Caylee that were seized from the Anthony home and placed “under seal” by the court would be a good place to start. Many people are not even aware that a lot of evidence in the case is under seal, which itself is problematic. But the simple fact is, there’s far more to be said about what hasn’t been revealed in this case than what we’ve seen thus far.
In addition to the sealed photographs, there are search warrants under seal. Assuming the sealed photographs of Caylee involve sexual content, warrants would have been issued authorizing a search for child pornography in computers and elsewhere. The public may have had no right to see this evidence while the case was pending because it might have prevented Casey from getting a fair trial, but now that she’s been acquitted, everything should be released. And if the photographs can’t be released lawfully because of what they show, a description of what they reveal is an acceptable substitute. Courts describe inappropriate photographs of children all the time without releasing the images....
And while the state opined that the child was killed so that Casey could go out partying, didn’t it seem a bit of, um, overkill that a mother would seal her child’s entire face shut with three levels of duct tape, then put her in a trunk, as a way of keeping the child quiet so she could have fun? If it was an accidental killing, wouldn’t it have been enough to put her in the back seat with one piece? The prosecutor said Casey intentionally killed Caylee so she could be free to go out partying, but on the day the child was last seen alive, Casey stayed home all night watching movies. Where was the party?
The style of Caylee’s death was more mob hit than parental homicide. And though the state claimed that Casey was the only one who could have killed the child, which is a compelling argument that often proves murder beyond a reasonable doubt in cases where there is no reasonable basis for believing that anyone else was involved, there were too many gaping holes in the timing of the state’s theory of what happened to sustain that idea in this case....
As Casey’s brother Lee testified at trial, Casey was told that Caylee was taken from Casey to “teach her a lesson”. If, as I wrote in an earlier column, Casey knew the people who had Caylee, and stayed quiet in the hope they would give her child back, her failure to report Caylee missing makes sense.
All of this provides some explanation for the not guilty verdict, but it also leaves us with the new responsibility of demanding immediate and full disclosure of the case file. When a child is killed, her mom or dad can be expected to lead the fight for justice and demand that state officials tell the truth about what they know. But when a parent is involved, the rest of us have to step up. Millions of people have watched this case unfold from day one, riveted by the story of a little girl who was tossed away like trash and a mother who didn’t seem to care. If we paid attention because our concern is sincere, we will keep fighting for Caylee until the whole truth is known. If we watched, instead, out of some sadistic voyeurism or need to feel better as mothers and fathers by jabbing a judgmental finger of blame at a worse parent, there will never be justice for Caylee – or any child – and it will our fault.
http://goo.gl/MSqER
http://blogs.wickedlocal.com/front-page/2011/07/not-guilty-verdict-is-the-right-result-but-were-not-done-yet/#axzz1RrCRW6vd
Caylee Anthony - killed for child pornography? By James R. Marsh on July 11, 2011
Child advocate Wendy Murphy has a compelling blog entry about the Casey Anthony acquittal entitled "Not Guilty Verdict is the Right Result - But We're Not Done Yet."
Murphy argues that "Justice for Caylee is still possible, notwithstanding the acquittal, if people call for full disclosure of the entire investigative file - including an unsealing of the evidence thus far hidden from public view. Release of the photographs of Caylee that were seized from the Anthony home and placed “under seal” by the court would be a good place to start."
Law enforcement may have discovered "sexualized" images of Caylee on the Anthony family computers which were placed under seal to avoid prejudicing the jury. Murphy believes that "The style of Caylee’s death was more mob hit than parental homicide."....
http://goo.gl/Kmy73
http://www.childlaw.us/2011/07/caylee-anthony-killed-for-ch.html
Phylicia Barnes Murder: Child Porn Link Under Investigation
7/11/11 The Phylicia Barnes murder case is being investigated for a possible link to child pornography and sexual exploitation, ABC news reports. The FBI is pursing warrants in order to gain legal access to the email and Facebook accounts of Barnes and four men from Baltimore.
An article from the Charlotte Observer reported that investigators have "reason to believe" that the warrants will result in uncovering evidence of child sex crimes or pornography.
Although the autopsy ruled Barnes' death a homicide, authorities have not announced a cause of death in the hopes that they can question suspects about it in the future, Maryland State Police spokesman Greg Shipley told ABC News.
http://goo.gl/EdeHo
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/07/11/phylicia-barnes-murder-child-porn_n_894749.html?icid=maing-grid7|main5|dl1|sec1_lnk3|77185
Statistics - National Center for Missing & Exploited Children (NCMEC)
How many children are reported missing each year?
The U.S. Department of Justice reports
797,500 children (younger than 18) were reported missing in a one-year period of time studied resulting in an average of 2,185 children being reported missing each day.
203,900 children were the victims of family abductions.
58,200 children were the victims of non-family abductions.
115 children were the victims of “stereotypical” kidnapping. (These crimes involve someone the child does not know or someone of slight acquaintance, who holds the child overnight, transports the child 50 miles or more, kills the child, demands ransom, or intends to keep the child permanently.)
[Andrea J. Sedlak, David Finkelhor, Heather Hammer, and Dana J. Schultz. U.S. Department of Justice. "National Estimates of Missing Children: An Overview" in National Incidence Studies of Missing, Abducted, Runaway, and Thrownaway Children. Washington, DC: Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, October 2002, page 5.]
http://goo.gl/4XHD0
http://www.missingkids.com/missingkids/servlet/PageServlet?LanguageCountry=en_US&PageId=2810#1
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Casey Anthony case opens eyes on child abuse, Brazilian Sex Tourism, Buck movie
also:
Allegations Link U.S. Companies to Brazilian Sex Tourism
Buck Brannaman Documentary - abusive childhood
Editorial for 7/9: Anthony case opens eyes on child abuse Jul. 8, 2011
The great majority of Americans — including those living in the mid-Hudson Valley — are aghast by a jury's decision to acquit Casey Anthony of killing her 2-year-old daughter, in a case that sparked unyielding media attention.
Anthony will be released soon after being found guilty of lying to police and accounting for the time she already has served in this three-year ordeal that has left so many questioning the judicial system....
Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect often are hidden acts. And those living in this area should be reminded that the state's Central Register of Child Abuse hotline received more than 4,500 calls from Dutchess County in 2010, according to Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of Dutchess County. What is even more troubling is how many incidents never get reported.
Nevertheless, the center served more than 16,000 at-risk and abused children last year and also provided support to more than 3,000 adults. The center's website is full of useful information, ranging from what types of actions should be reported to coping measures for parents.
http://goo.gl/Ev2lO
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20110709/OPINION01/107090310/Editorial-7-9-Anthony-case-opens-eyes-child-abuse?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|PoughkeepsieJournal.com|s
Allegations Link U.S. Companies to Brazilian Sex Tourism
By BARRY MEIER July 8, 2011
The Justice Department has been conducting a criminal investigation of sports fishing expeditions in the Amazon that may have been used as covers for Americans to have sex with underage girls, according to newly filed court papers.
The investigation and two related actions — a parallel criminal inquiry in Brazil and an unusual lawsuit filed in federal court in Georgia — could provide a rare look at the business operations of the multibillion-dollar international sex tour industry, which has increasingly focused on Brazil.
"Brazil is taking over from Thailand as a premier sex tourism vacation" spot, said Kristen Berg, an official of Equality Now, an advocacy organization in New York that helped bring the lawsuit in Georgia.
That lawsuit was filed last month on behalf of four Brazilian women who claim that they were coerced as minors to serve as prostitutes for Americans on Amazon fishing expeditions operated by an Atlanta-area businessman. One of the women said that she was 12 years old at the time.
Ms. Berg said the lawsuit was the first time that a federal law, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, had been used to seek damages from someone accused of operating sex tours.
On Thursday, the defendant in that case, Richard W. Schair, filed a motion asking that the lawsuit be stayed. The motion cited continuing criminal investigations in the United States and Brazil.
In a brief telephone interview, Mr. Schair, who operates an Atlanta-area real estate business, said that allegations that he was involved in child sex tours were untrue. He declined to discuss specifics of the inquiries....
http://goo.gl/XmHD1
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/business/allegations-link-us-companies-to-brazilian-sex-tourism.html
Buck Brannaman Documentary
BUCK, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.
Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses – and people – with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life. A truly American story about an unsung hero, BUCK is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds. Cedar Creek Productions, LLC
http://goo.gl/IiRRh
http://www.buckthefilm.com/
http://www.buckthefilm.com/content.htm
Allegations Link U.S. Companies to Brazilian Sex Tourism
Buck Brannaman Documentary - abusive childhood
Editorial for 7/9: Anthony case opens eyes on child abuse Jul. 8, 2011
The great majority of Americans — including those living in the mid-Hudson Valley — are aghast by a jury's decision to acquit Casey Anthony of killing her 2-year-old daughter, in a case that sparked unyielding media attention.
Anthony will be released soon after being found guilty of lying to police and accounting for the time she already has served in this three-year ordeal that has left so many questioning the judicial system....
Unfortunately, child abuse and neglect often are hidden acts. And those living in this area should be reminded that the state's Central Register of Child Abuse hotline received more than 4,500 calls from Dutchess County in 2010, according to Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse of Dutchess County. What is even more troubling is how many incidents never get reported.
Nevertheless, the center served more than 16,000 at-risk and abused children last year and also provided support to more than 3,000 adults. The center's website is full of useful information, ranging from what types of actions should be reported to coping measures for parents.
http://goo.gl/Ev2lO
http://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/article/20110709/OPINION01/107090310/Editorial-7-9-Anthony-case-opens-eyes-child-abuse?odyssey=mod|newswell|text|PoughkeepsieJournal.com|s
Allegations Link U.S. Companies to Brazilian Sex Tourism
By BARRY MEIER July 8, 2011
The Justice Department has been conducting a criminal investigation of sports fishing expeditions in the Amazon that may have been used as covers for Americans to have sex with underage girls, according to newly filed court papers.
The investigation and two related actions — a parallel criminal inquiry in Brazil and an unusual lawsuit filed in federal court in Georgia — could provide a rare look at the business operations of the multibillion-dollar international sex tour industry, which has increasingly focused on Brazil.
"Brazil is taking over from Thailand as a premier sex tourism vacation" spot, said Kristen Berg, an official of Equality Now, an advocacy organization in New York that helped bring the lawsuit in Georgia.
That lawsuit was filed last month on behalf of four Brazilian women who claim that they were coerced as minors to serve as prostitutes for Americans on Amazon fishing expeditions operated by an Atlanta-area businessman. One of the women said that she was 12 years old at the time.
Ms. Berg said the lawsuit was the first time that a federal law, the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act of 2000, had been used to seek damages from someone accused of operating sex tours.
On Thursday, the defendant in that case, Richard W. Schair, filed a motion asking that the lawsuit be stayed. The motion cited continuing criminal investigations in the United States and Brazil.
In a brief telephone interview, Mr. Schair, who operates an Atlanta-area real estate business, said that allegations that he was involved in child sex tours were untrue. He declined to discuss specifics of the inquiries....
http://goo.gl/XmHD1
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/07/09/business/allegations-link-us-companies-to-brazilian-sex-tourism.html
Buck Brannaman Documentary
BUCK, a richly textured and visually stunning film, follows Brannaman from his abusive childhood to his phenomenally successful approach to horses. A real-life “horse-whisperer”, he eschews the violence of his upbringing and teaches people to communicate with their horses through leadership and sensitivity, not punishment.
Buck possesses near magical abilities as he dramatically transforms horses – and people – with his understanding, compassion and respect. In this film, the animal-human relationship becomes a metaphor for facing the daily challenges of life. A truly American story about an unsung hero, BUCK is about an ordinary man who has made an extraordinary life despite tremendous odds. Cedar Creek Productions, LLC
http://goo.gl/IiRRh
http://www.buckthefilm.com/
http://www.buckthefilm.com/content.htm
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