All articles tagged with #sexual abuse scandal
The Southern Baptist Convention overwhelmingly endorsed a ban on gay marriage and called for the reversal of the Supreme Court's Obergefell v. Hodges decision, while also addressing ongoing issues related to sexual abuse within the denomination, including calls for reforms and accountability measures.
Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby resigned after an investigation revealed he failed to report sexual abuse by a volunteer at Christian camps. The report criticized Welby for not informing authorities about the abuse by John Smyth, which continued for years. Welby's resignation follows mounting pressure and criticism over his handling of the scandal, which has highlighted broader issues of accountability within the Church of England. His departure marks a significant moment for the Anglican Communion, affecting its global leadership.
USA Gymnastics has made a significant turnaround from the depths of a massive sexual abuse scandal in 2018 to now being poised for Olympic success in 2024. Led by veteran Simone Biles, the team has undergone cultural and structural changes, including decentralizing control and involving former gymnasts in leadership roles. Despite progress, ongoing efforts are needed to ensure a complete transformation.
Former cardinal Theodore McCarrick, charged with criminal sex assault in Wisconsin, has been declared incompetent due to dementia, effectively ending the criminal case. This comes after previous charges were dismissed in Massachusetts. McCarrick, who was laicized by the Vatican in 2019 for sexually abusing minors, faces civil cases in New Jersey. The decision has sparked urgency for transparency among abuse survivors and church-watchers, who believe the Vatican and legal systems are allowing McCarrick to evade accountability.
The Michigan State University Board of Trustees has unanimously approved the release of long-withheld documents related to the sexual abuse scandal involving Larry Nassar, giving them to Michigan's attorney general. The university had previously claimed attorney-client privilege as the reason for withholding the documents. The release comes after years of lobbying by survivors and their allies, and Attorney General Dana Nessel closed an investigation into MSU due to their refusal to release the documents. Former Attorney General Bill Schuette and current Attorney General Nessel both welcomed the decision, with Schuette calling it an important step towards an open and transparent review of MSU's actions.
Japanese talent agency Johnny & Associates, embroiled in a major sexual abuse scandal, has announced that it will change its name and split into two companies. The existing company will be renamed Smile-Up and will focus on compensating the victims of sexual abuse by the late founder Johnny Kitagawa. A new entity will be established to manage the agency's current roster of performers. The move comes after years of cover-ups and denials, with an external investigative committee receiving reports of abuse from 478 victims. However, some victims' advocacy groups have criticized the plans, calling for a complete discontinuation of Johnny's entertainment activities.
Pope Francis is set to visit Portugal to close the World Youth Day, a gathering of hundreds of thousands of young Catholics from around the world. However, the Church's sexual abuse scandal looms in the background, as a recent report revealed that over 4,800 minors were sexually abused by clergy in Portugal over 70 years. Abuse awareness groups plan to raise awareness during the event, and the Pope is expected to meet privately with abuse victims. Despite the shadow of the scandal, the event is seen as a significant international gathering for Portugal.
Catholic churches and schools in Syracuse, New York, will have to contribute $50 million towards a settlement for victims of sexual abuse and cover-ups by priests, while the diocese will pay the remaining $50 million. The parishes will be responsible for $45 million, and the schools, missions, and Catholic Charities will have to pay $5 million. The funds cannot come from the Hope Appeal, an annual amount each parish raises for the diocese. Some parishes may need to sell property or consolidate to make the payments. The settlement is part of the bankruptcy filing by the Roman Catholic Diocese of Syracuse, which was prompted by lawsuits filed by victims.
Takeshi Kitano, a prominent figure in Japan's entertainment industry, has commented on the sexual abuse scandal surrounding Johnny & Associates, the country's dominant talent agency for young male stars. The scandal has been brewing for decades, but it wasn't until a BBC documentary aired that Japanese media began to cover it. Several male idols have come forward with allegations of sexual assault by the company's founder, Johnny Kitagawa. Kitano criticized the talent agency system in Japan, which he says treats talent like slaves and exploits their earnings. Johnny's current president, Julie Keiko Fujishima, has issued an apology on behalf of the company.