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Houston Chronicle
NBC sex predator sting shakes up Texas town
by Grant Slater, Associated Press

Washington Post
Planned Parenthood clinic is cleared in Kansas probe

All American Patriots
Senators Durbin and Coburn introduce human trafficking bill

The Palestine Herald
Still no verdict in trial of ex-lawman
by Paul Stone

Washington Post
U.N. concerned as violence escalates in Darfur
by Simon Apiku, Reuters

The Palestine Herald
Deliberations to continue in former lawman’s trial
by Paul Stone

The New Nation- Bangladesh’s Independent News Source
Massive awareness against human trafficking pleaded

Washington Post
Aborigines threaten Ayers Rock climb ban
by Rod McGuirk, Associated Press

News Channel 5 KRGV, ABC affiliate in Weslaco
Woman: Son forced to do sexual favors for prison guard

Dallas Morning News
Student, suspended after rape allegation, sues SMU
by Michael Grabell

Although the 2006 Democratic Party platform supports a woman’s right to choose, San Antonio trial lawyer Mikal Watts, who is considering a U.S. Senate bid next year, does not agree. Earlier this month he told the San Antonio Express-News, “I hold the pro-life position with three exceptions: one for rape, one for incest, one for the life of the mother.” This attitude is common for many political candidates and voters alike, but it poses several problems.

The vast majority of rape victims are assaulted by someone close to them: a friend, acquaintance, partner or family member. This causes many women to choose not to report the rape. Forcing women to come forward in order to access abortion services is not a very victim-sensitive approach.

Read more

Washington Post
Nifong removal hearing set
Associated Press

KRIS-TV, NBC Corpus Christi affiliate
Navy officer sentenced in abuse case
Associated Press

Dallas Morning News
Former baseball player charged with sexual assault
by Jeff Mosier

Arab News
UN protocols on organized crime OK’d
by P.K. Abdul Ghafour

Washington Post
Critics warn Mexico City over prostitution proposal
by Hugh Collins, Reuters

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Peru Congress cuts age of consent to 14
Associated Press

Austin American Statesman
Doctor honored by Texas Legislature registered as sex offender
by Kelley Shannon, Associated Press

The Eagle
2 youth lockups to be closed early
Associated Press

New York Times
Catholic lay group tests a strategy change
by Pam Belluck

Washington Post
Civilians still being brutalized in war zones: UN
by Evelyn Leopold, Reuters

Washington Post
Lots of prosecutors go too far. Most get away with it.
by Jonathon Turley

Fort Worth Business Press
Envy and liberal stupidity fueled fake rape case at Duke
by Ann Coulter

Human trafficking is the unwilling transport of human beings across borders. It takes many forms, such as commercial sexual exploitation, child soldiering, debt bondage, servitude on the high seas, involuntary domestic labor and brokered marriages. Each year, as many as 800,000 people are transported from one country to another to be used in the commercial sex trade, forced labor or domestic service. Eight out of 10 of those are women and girls. An estimated two million children are enslaved in the global sex trade.

The Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report is a vital instrument in the U.S. government’s commitment to develop policies that fight human trafficking, highlight progress on the issue and encourage foreign governments to take effective action. However, this report must be matched by sufficient political will to hold all nations, including our own, accountable for human trafficking violations.

There are several issues affecting U.S. credibility regarding its stated trafficking standards:
1. How does the United States address its own trafficking problems as a destination country within the confines of its own borders and protectorates?
2.  How does the United States maintain fair policy with regard to countries it rates, without watering down sanctions for “friendly nations?”

Read more

Palestine Herald-Press
Sons Testify in Trial of Former Lawman
by Paul Stone

McAllen Monitor
FBI: Guerrero tried to bribe, threaten Mexican police
by Andres Martinez

KRGV-TV, Weslaco
FBI Agent: Ex-clerk claimed not to be US citizen
with video

Temple Daily Telegram
Expert cites hatred of women in sexual assaults of elderly
by Jeanne Williams

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Texas senator wants to ban internet sales of true crime artifacts
by Suzanne Gamboa, AP

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Thai law expands definition of rape
Associated Press

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Appeals court clears wrongfully convicted Dallas man
Associated Press

Dallas Morning News
Five accused of sex trafficking of girls are indicted
Associated Press

Fort Worth Star-Telegram
Portugal adopts law allowing abortion
by Barry Hatton, AP

Slate published the following article June 20 on the barring of the words “rape” and “sexual assault” (among others) in a Nebraska sexual assault trial.  This case (along with many more, I’m sure) is a perfect illustration of the continued need for judicial education.  Left only with the word “sex” to describe what was either a criminal or consensual act leaves the jury with little more than context clues to deliver their verdict.

 As if rape survivors aren’t already going through enough when they choose to take their case to court…

Usually we leave it up to the linguists and philosophers to muse on the crazy relationship between words and their meanings. In the law, words—the important ones, at least—are defined narrowly, and judges, lawyers, and jurors are trusted to understand their meanings. It’s precisely because language is so powerful in a courtroom that we treat it so reverently.

Yet a Nebraska district judge, Jeffre Cheuvront, suddenly finds himself in a war of words with attorneys on both sides of a sexual assault trial. More worrisome, he appears to be at war with language itself, and his paradoxical answer is to ban it: Last fall, Cheuvront granted a motion by defense attorneys barring the use of the words rape, sexual assault, victim, assailant, and sexual assault kit from the trial of Pamir Safi—accused of raping Tory Bowen in October 2004.

For the full article, click here.

Washington Post
Special Court Convicts 3 of Sierra Leone War Crimes
by Clarence Roy-Macauley, Associated Press

San Antonio Express News
Agents Must Testify in Trafficking Case

The Day
Chinese Governor Apologizes Over Scandal
by Scott McDonald, AP

CMD Media
Land of the Free, Home of the Slaves
by James J. Devine

The Baytown Sun
Australia to Ban Alcohol for Aborigines
by Rod McGuirk, AP

Calibre Macro World
Society is Complicit in Turning Girls into Sex Objects
by Debbie Ging

The Virginian-Pilot
Campaign Advocates Recognizing, Reporting Suspected Abuse
by Elizabeth Simpson

Austin American Statesman
Parker: Duke Case Threatens Justice for Rape Victims
by Kathleen Parker

Galveston County Daily News
Naval Academy Combats Sexual Harassment
by Brian White, AP

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