Nurse who battered stroke patient gets probation
An Indiana nurse convicted of battering a hospital stroke patient has been sentenced to six months of probation.
Sexual Assault
Articles
Purdue Title IX sexual assault lawsuit still awaiting 7th Circuit decision
The campus sexual assault lawsuit brought by an unidentified male student against Purdue University, which was one of the first such cases to be heard by a federal appellate court since the U.S. Department of Education issued its “Dear Colleague” letter in 2011, is still awaiting a ruling from the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals while the number of similar complaints being added to the dockets of circuit courts around the country continues to grow.
Report: Detective’s contact with USA Gymnastics not a breach
An internal Indianapolis police investigation has determined a detective didn’t violate department policies by working with USA Gymnastics’ former chief executive to deflect criticism of the organization’s child abuse reporting policies. The Indianapolis Metropolitan Police Department conducted a months-long probe into the actions of Lt. Bruce Smith, an acquaintance of ex-USA Gymnastics CEO Steve Penny who formerly ran the department’s Child Abuse Unit.
Domestic violence coalition to offer training on pro bono victim representation
Attorneys interested in receiving training on modest means and pro bono representation of domestic violence victims will have an opportunity to do so at the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana next month.
Lawyers for some Nassar victims want settlement investigated
Lawyers representing victims of imprisoned former sports doctor Larry Nassar who came forward more recently with allegations of sexual assault are seeking an investigation into Michigan State University’s $500 million settlement with victims.
Man gets 115 years for Indianapolis woman’s 1998 rape and murder
A man has been sentenced to 115 years in prison for the 1998 rape and murder of an Indianapolis woman whose body was found partially burned.
Web Exclusive: Federal judiciary tightens sex harassment rules
The way the federal court system addresses sexual harassment complaints should be clearer and fairer moving forward now that the federal judiciary has made clarifying amendments to its workplace conduct rules.
Fifty women say Salesforce helped traffickers exploit them
Fifty women who describe themselves as survivors of sex trafficking on the now-defunct Backpage.com web portal accuse Salesforce.com Inc. of profiting off each advertisement.
Bill sought by child sex abuse survivors rerouted for study
Individuals who were sexually abused as children will have to keep waiting for justice, now that a bill that could potentially give them more time to sue their abusers has been routed for further study.
COA affirms child molesting conviction, sentence
A Carroll County man’s sentence of 40 years in prison for molesting his girlfriend’s 7-year-old daughter was upheld Monday. An appellate panel rejected his arguments that evidence from the victim’s exam was wrongly excluded and that his sentence was inappropriate, among others.
Low-key days at Supreme Court may be ending soon
The Supreme Court began its term with the tumultuous confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh, followed by a studied avoidance of drama on the high court bench — especially anything that would divide the five conservatives and four liberals. But when they gather in private on Friday to consider new cases for arguments in April and into next term, the justices will confront a raft of high-profile appeals.
Indiana man gets 80 years in prison for Fort Wayne girl’s 1988 killing
An Indiana man has been sentenced to 80 years in prison for the 1988 abduction, rape and killing of an 8-year-old girl. An Allen County judge sentenced 59-year-old John D. Miller, of Grabill, on Friday after Miller pleaded guilty to murder and child molestation charges in April Tinsley’s long-unsolved killing.
AG Hill says his office is investigating USA Gymnastics
The Indiana attorney general says his office is investigating USA Gymnastics, which has filed for bankruptcy due to the Larry Nassar sexual-abuse scandal.
Male student claims gender bias in campus rape investigation in lawsuit against IU
A male student has filed a federal lawsuit against Indiana University after the Bloomington school investigated a sexual assault complaint against him and determined that even though he “reasonably should not have known” the woman was incapacitated, he was still responsible for nonconsensual sex.
Indiana man pleads guilty to 1988 killing of 8-year-old girl
An Indiana man has pleaded guilty to the 1988 abduction, rape and killing of an 8-year-old Fort Wayne girl. John D. Miller pleaded guilty Friday to murder and child molestation charges in the long-unsolved killing of April Tinsley. A plea agreement calls for the 59-year-old Miller to serve 80 years in prison.
USA Gymnastics bankruptcy might leave sex-abuse victims unpaid
Indianapolis-based USA Gymnastics, under threat of being decertified by the U.S. Olympic Committee, filed for bankruptcy after running short of funds to pay victims of Larry Nassar’s sexual abuse.
Alleged drug dealer’s tie to CI’s assault merits higher bond
An accused drug dealer who allegedly assaulted an informant then arranged a separate assault on her from behind bars in Columbus had his bond increased rather than lowered, and the Indiana Court of Appeals agreed Thursday.
Women students, expelled after reporting assaults, sue Purdue
Purdue University has been hit with another lawsuit over expelling students following investigations into allegations of sexual assaults, but in this instance, the students banished from the school were the accusers.
Web Exclusive: Sex abuse survivor trains lawyers, others to avoid revictimizing
After overcoming addiction, abuse and sexual harm, Sarah Hurley sought to aid women dealing with the same struggles she faced as a child. She created the White Stone Project, an organization devoted to providing survivor-led, professional training and coaching to people and organizations engaging trauma survivors. Its goal: to equip people to more effectively communicate, understand and avoid revictimizing those they work with.
Indiana law professors support changes to judicial conduct rules
Although they concede that more needs to be done, two Indiana law professors are applauding the recommendations on how to handle sexual harassment complaints made against the federal judiciary. Professors Charles Geyh and Jennifer Drobac, offered their comments as part of the public hearing to consider the proposed changes to the Code of Conduct for U.S. Judges and the Rules for Judicial-Conduct and Judicial-Disability Proceedings.