October 15, 2018
By Nick Corasaniti
Newark — Gov. Philip D. Murphy of New Jersey on Monday (click here) worked to quell the controversy engulfing his administration after a woman who accused a top official of sexual assault faulted the administration’s response, saying “I have received no justice,” while Democrats in the Legislature demanded “a full accounting of what occurred.”
In a 33-minute news conference, a visibly upset Mr. Murphy said he was “sick to his stomach” after learning about the allegations and ordered an investigation into his administration’s hiring of Albert J. Alvarez, the official accused of sexual assault by Katie Brennan, a volunteer for Mr. Murphy’s campaign.
The investigation will focus on why Mr. Alvarez was hired after members of Mr. Murphy’s transition team were made aware of the allegations. The governor also said he was directing the state’s Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action office to review how allegations of sexual misconduct are handled.
Ms. Brennan, 31, made her first public statements on the matter on Sunday, calling for major changes to how New Jersey deals with allegations of sexual assault....
There are models developing across the country. There is no excuse anymore for the lack of a comprehensive policy that provides for the safety of women and men.
October 15, 2018
By Alston Walsh
While the national focus (click here) on sexual assault intensifies, the local school community is ramping up services and support systems designed to protect students from the threat of similar violence.
Those who started building the network years ago agree the recent attention garnered by the Supreme Court appointment of Brett Kavanaugh and the #metoo movement helped move their effort forward.
Streamlining the reporting process for sexual assault victims, facilitating coordination among involved agencies and establishing an anonymous tip line are among the initiatives identified by officials as useful in addressing the problem....
The cries from women are not ending. Everyday there are more women coming forward to expose the vast abuse they have sustained. This is where we are in the USA. Women have to demand BASIC HUMAN RESPECT.
October 15, 2018
By Rex Huppke
It what point did you decide that I was unworthy of basic human respect?” (click here)
That quote gutted me. It was spoken by a 27-year-old former Northwestern University student during the sentencing hearing of a man who sexually assaulted her on campus six years ago.
Pablo Herrera had to listen to that question, and I hope it stays with him well beyond his six-year prison sentence: At what point did you decide that young woman was unworthy of basic human respect?
The woman is now an attorney. According to a Chicago Tribune story by Brian L. Cox, “the woman said that in the months and years after the assault, her life fell apart and, at one of her lowest points, she collapsed onto the floor of her apartment trying to determine if she had enough medication, prescribed to her after the assault, to take her own life.”
At Friday’s sentencing hearing, the woman said: “In the aftermath of the assault, I grappled with life itself, especially in those moments when I felt I couldn’t take it anymore. I grappled with my feelings of self-esteem, self-worth, shame and fear as everything around me and in my own mind became a reminder of what happened.”...
This is real pain and real coping in a world insensitive to it. It needs to stop. When abuse of women and girls is tolerated in the USA, it translates into real tragedy across the globe. The "#MeToo" phenomena has been a huge boost to women globally and there is no reason to stop now.
October 15, 2018
By Emily Zauzmer
In January, (click here) Alyssa Milano recorded a heart-wrenching message to her daughter Elizabella Dylan discussing why she spoke out about her sexual assault — and nine months later, she is sharing it with the world.
Milano, who shares 4-year-old Elizabella and 7-year-old son Milo Thomaswith husband David Bugliari, tweeted, “One year ago I recorded this for my daughter, explaining why I shared my story of sexual assault. I never expected to release it publicly. Now, I feel it’s too important not to share.” She added the hashtag #MeToo.
Milano, 45, started the emotional video, “Dear Elizabella, hello. It’s your mommy, and I wanted to make you a little video because I’m sitting in my trailer in Atlanta, and I miss you so much, and I wanted to just do this for you.”...
