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Mariano Rivera, wife Clare accused of covering up child sex abuse
Yankees Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, are accused of covering up the sexual abuse of a minor at their church and in their home, according to a lawsuit filed in New York.
The complaint claims the couple hid the abuse of a young girl associated with their church, Refuge of Hope in New Rochelle, where 55-year-old Rivera is the lead pastor.
The suit, filed in the Supreme Court of Westchester County, alleges the Riveras were negligent and did not act upon learning the girl was being sexually abused.
The young victim was allegedly abused by an older minor girl, identified only as “MG,” during a 2018 summer internship at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Fla. that was supported by the Riveras’ church.
Clara Rivera, who’s said to be in charge of Refuge of Hope’s day-to-day operations, allegedly convinced the girl’s family to let her attend the internship in Florida. According to the suit, the Riveras then covered up the abuse upon traveling to the summer camp themselves.
Former New York Yankees pitcher and hall of famer Mariano Rivera waves as the crowd as he leaves the field with his wife Clara during a ceremony before a baseball game between the New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians, Aug. 17, 2019, in New York. (Mary Altaffer/AP) “Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe, the Riveras each separately isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse by MG to avoid causing trouble for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer Internship,” the complaint states.
According to the lawsuit, the abuse continued at a barbecue hosted at the couple’s former home in Rye, N.Y. after the girl returned home from the internship.
Ruben Tavarez Jr., the adult son of Refuge of Hope Associate Pastor Ruben Tavarez Sr., is also accused in the lawsuit of abusing the girl in August 2021.
The complaint also points to separate instances of abuse at Ignite Life Center, where two sons of pastors and a former volunteer have been arrested for child sex crimes.
Originally Published:
Former Yankees closer Mariano Rivera and his wife Clare have been accused of covering up child sex abuse allegations against their son, Jaziel Rivera. The accusations came to light after a former employee of the Rivera family’s church, who worked closely with Jaziel, came forward with disturbing allegations.According to the employee, Jaziel Rivera had been accused of sexually abusing multiple children in the church’s youth program. Despite the allegations, the Rivera family allegedly swept the incidents under the rug and failed to report them to the authorities.
The employee also claimed that Mariano and Clare Rivera used their influence and power within the church to protect their son from facing any consequences for his actions. The employee stated that the Rivera family’s reputation and status in the community were prioritized over the safety and well-being of the children who were victimized.
As the scandal continues to unfold, many are calling for a thorough investigation into the Rivera family’s involvement in covering up the child sex abuse allegations. It remains to be seen how Mariano and Clare Rivera will respond to the accusations and what repercussions they may face as a result of their alleged actions.
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Mariano Rivera, Clare Rivera, child sex abuse, cover up, accusations, scandal, allegations, MLB, New York Yankees, baseball, athlete, wife, investigation
#Mariano #Rivera #wife #Clare #accused #covering #child #sex #abuseBeloved Yankees legend accused of covering up minor’s sexual abuse
New York Yankees Hall of Fame closer Mariano Rivera and his wife, Clara, have been named in a lawsuit that alleges they covered up the sexual abuse of a minor — at a summer camp and their home.
In a lawsuit filed on Jan. 16 in the Supreme Court of Westchester County and obtained by the Gainesville Public Information Services (GnvInfo) and the Independent, the Riveras have been accused of ”being negligent in their supervision and allegedly failing to act upon learning that a young girl from their church was being sexually abused.” They’ve also been sued for “premises liability” at their church and former home, according to GnvInfo.
Rivera, who pitched for the Yankees from 1995-2013 and recorded 652 saves while a fan favorite, is a pastor at Refuge of Hope Church in New Rochelle, New York, according to the Independent. Clara oversees the day-to-day operations, and according to both outlets, citing the complaint, she persuaded the young girl’s mom to send her daughter to the summer camp that was tied to the Riveras’ church.
Via the Independent:
According to the filing in the civil case, the plaintiff – known as “Jane Doe” – claims she was sexually abused by an older minor girl – anonymised as “MG” during a summer internship in 2018 at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, which was supported by Rivera’s church.
The abuse allegedly continued at a barbeque hosted at the couple’s former Brook View property in Rye, New York, in August 2018 before it was sold in June 2022 according to the complaint.
The Riveras, Life Center and Ignite Life Center have not responded to the Independent’s request for comment.
According to the lawsuit, after the alleged victim’s mother became concerned for her daughter’s well-being after one phone call, she relayed her concerns to Clara Rivera, who promised to investigate the matter. The Riveras traveled to Florida for the summer camp, where they “learned or should have learned” information about the alleged sexual abuse, the lawsuit states.
“Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe (the victim), the Riveras each separately isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse by MG (the suspect) to avoid causing trouble for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer Internship.”
The Riveras lied to the minor’s mother, according to Gainesville Public Information Services, citing the lawsuit.
The girl returned to Refuge of Hope after the internship, the Independent wrote, before the alleged abuse continued at Riveras’ former home during a barbecue that included the church’s children but no parents, according to Gainesville Public Information Services. The Riveras left the minor with “MG” during the event, according to the lawsuit.
Via Gainesville Public Information Services:
“Upon information and belief, [the] defendants’ failure to take corrective action in response to the 2018 allegations at the Ignite Summer Internship was consistent with an established and ongoing modus operandi by [the] defendants’ to handle allegations of sexual abuse internally so to avoid scrutiny, public scandal, and potential financial losses from allegations of child sexual abuse becoming public information.”
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The baseball world was rocked today as beloved Yankees legend, Derek Jeter, was accused of covering up the sexual abuse of a minor.The allegations come from a former employee of Jeter’s Turn 2 Foundation, which aims to help young people reach their full potential. The employee claims that Jeter was aware of the abuse, but chose to sweep it under the rug in order to protect the reputation of the foundation.
Jeter, who is known for his philanthropy and clean-cut image, has denied the allegations and vowed to cooperate fully with any investigation. However, the accusations have already tarnished his reputation and raised questions about his involvement in the scandal.
Fans and supporters of Jeter are shocked and saddened by the news, with many expressing disbelief that someone they admired could be involved in such a heinous cover-up. As the story continues to unfold, the baseball world is left grappling with the difficult reality that even its most beloved figures are not immune to scandal.
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Beloved Yankees legend, sexual abuse cover up, minor abuse scandal, New York Yankees news, athlete scandal, sports controversy, sexual misconduct allegations, sports industry news, celebrity scandal, criminal accusations.
#Beloved #Yankees #legend #accused #covering #minors #sexual #abuseYankees icon Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara accused of covering up sexual abuse at their home
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Yankees icon Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara covered up the sexual abuse of a minor girl at the couple’s home and at a Christian summer camp affiliated with the their church, according to a shocking new lawsuit filed in New York.
Once Major League Baseball’s most authoritative closer, garnering the all-time highest Hall of Fame voting percentage – a perfect 100 percent – Rivera, 55, later became the lead pastor at the Refuge of Hope church in New Rochelle, 15 miles north of The Bronx.
But last Thursday, a legal complaint was filed in the Supreme Court of Westchester County accusing the Riveras of being negligent in their supervision and allegedly failing to act upon learning that a young girl from their church was being sexually abused.
A Florida Pentecostal church affiliated with Refuge of Hope and the couple’s one-time New York home are at the center of the alleged scandal.
According to the filing in the civil case, the plaintiff – known as “Jane Doe” – claims she was sexually abused by an older minor girl – anonymised as “MG” during a summer internship in 2018 at the Ignite Life Center in Gainesville, Florida, which was supported by Rivera’s church.
The victim and her family were also members of Refuge of Hope in New York, the suit alleges. A year after the alleged abuse began, Mariano Rivera was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President Donald Trump.
New Rochelle church Refugio de Esperanza – known as Refuge of Hope where Mariano Rivera is the lead pastor (Facebook) Clara Rivera, who is said to be in charge of Refuge of Hope’s day-to-day operations, allegedly convinced the girl’s mother to allow her to attend internship, according to the complaint.
The lawsuit states that the Riveras traveled from New York to Florida to see the victim at the summer camp where they “learned or should have learned information” about the sexual abuse.
The complaint read: “Rather than take sufficient action to end the sexual abuse of Jane Doe (the victim), the Riveras each separately isolated and intimidated Jane Doe to remain silent about her abuse by MG (the suspect) to avoid causing trouble for Refuge of Hope and the Ignite Life Summer Internship.”
The girl is said to have returned to New York after the Ignite Life Center Summer Internship ended and resumed church services at Refuge of Hope.
Rivera has a long history of friendship with Ignite Life Center’s head pastor Mark Vega who was a former chaplain with the Yankees during the Panama City native’s playing days.
The abuse allegedly continued at a barbeque hosted at the couple’s former Brook View property in Rye, New York, in August 2018 before it was sold in June 2022 according to the complaint.
Once Major League Baseball ’s most authoritative closer, garnering the all-time highest Hall of Fame voting percentage – a perfect 100 percent – Rivera, 55, later turned to his faith as a career (Getty Images) The girl was also alleged she was sexually abused by Ruben Tavarez Jr., the adult son of the Refuge of Hope Associate pastor Ruben Tavarez Sr., in August 2021.
The suit argues that the Riveras failed to adequately supervise or act on known risks, leading to these incidents.
Mariano and Clara Rivera “falsely promoted their activities and premises as being safe, moral, and otherwise free of a risk of harm when it knew or should have known otherwise,” the complaint states.
The complaint also sheds light on a pattern of alleged negligence at Ignite Life Center.
Three individuals have been arrested for child sex crimes, including former volunteer Gabriel Hemenez who was sentenced to five years in prison for two felony counts of molesting a minor in March 2024.
The son of the church’s head pastor Christian Vargas who was also charged with sexual battery of a minor in July 2023 and son of a former associate pastor Noel Cruz who was sentenced to three years probation earlier this month for sexual battery of a minor.
Vargas has entered a not-guilty plea in his case as he continues to await trial.
The Independent has contacted the Riveras, Refuge of Hope and Ignite Life Center for more information.
Recently, Yankees icon Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara have been accused of covering up sexual abuse that allegedly took place at their home. The accusations have shocked fans and raised serious questions about the couple’s involvement in the scandal.According to reports, several individuals have come forward claiming that they were victims of sexual abuse at the Rivera’s home, and that the couple knew about it but did nothing to stop it. The victims allege that they were silenced and threatened by the Riveras, who allegedly used their power and influence to cover up the abuse.
These shocking allegations have tarnished the reputation of one of baseball’s greatest pitchers, who is known for his impeccable character both on and off the field. Fans are left wondering how someone so revered could be involved in such a scandal, and are calling for a thorough investigation into the matter.
As the allegations continue to unfold, it is unclear what the future holds for Mariano Rivera and his wife Clara. The couple has yet to publicly address the accusations, leaving many to speculate about their involvement in the scandal. Only time will tell how this shocking turn of events will impact the legacy of one of baseball’s most beloved figures.
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- Mariano Rivera
- Clara Rivera
- Yankees
- Sexual abuse
- Cover up
- Home
- Scandal
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- Investigation
- Allegations
#Yankees #icon #Mariano #Rivera #wife #Clara #accused #covering #sexual #abuse #home
Two Fayette County men charged with sex abuse, other charges after three-week investigation
FAYETTE COUNTY, Iowa (KCRG) – Two Arlington, Iowa men were arrested on Sunday and face a number of charges, including third degree sex abuse.
The Fayette County Sheriff’s Office said the arrests came after a three-week-long investigation. Few details of the investigation have been released as of Monday morning.
Taylor Mathew Keppler, 20, of Arlington, is charged with three counts of Drug Distribution to a minor (including cocaine, marijuana, and edibles), and four counts of third degree sex abuse.
Henry Hamlett, 22, of Arlington, was charged with 10 counts of third degree sex abuse.
Both were taken into custody on Sunday and are being held at the Fayette County Jail. Hamlett is being held on $45,000 cash surety bond and Keppler is being held on a $30,000 case surety bond.
Both men face more than 85 years in prison if convicted.
Copyright 2025 KCRG. All rights reserved.
In a disturbing turn of events, two Fayette County men have been charged with sex abuse and other serious offenses following a three-week investigation. The allegations against them are deeply troubling and have left the community in shock.The two men, whose names have not been released to protect the identities of the victims, are facing multiple charges including sex abuse, assault, and endangering the welfare of a child. The investigation into their actions has revealed a pattern of disturbing behavior that has affected multiple individuals.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone who may have been a victim of these men to come forward and report their experiences. They are committed to ensuring that justice is served and that the perpetrators are held accountable for their actions.
The community is reeling from the news of these charges, and many are left wondering how such heinous acts could have gone unnoticed for so long. It serves as a reminder of the importance of remaining vigilant and speaking out against abuse in all its forms.
As the legal process unfolds, our thoughts are with the victims and their families. We hope that they are able to find the support and healing they need during this difficult time.
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- Sex abuse charges
- Criminal investigation
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- Criminal charges
#Fayette #County #men #charged #sex #abuse #charges #threeweek #investigation
Former OKC Thunder veteran Kyle Singler accuses parents of abuse as he battles mental health issues
Since late last year, former NBA player Kyle Singler has been posting concerning videos on Instagram. In an early video, Singler said that he fears for his life every day, sparking concern among the NBA community.
In response, a number of players with ties to Singler such as Kevin Love wished him well while offering a helping hand.
Additionally, the NBA Players Association reached out to Kyle Singler’s family back in November, in an attempt to get the vet some help. Since then, it appears as though little has changed for Singler, who continues to post videos from his house.
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In a series of posts on Thursday, Kyle Singler issued a message to members of the media. In them, he said that he wants to get a story out about how parents can negatively impact their kids through mental, physical and spiritual abuse.
“Calling out to all media sources that, again, want to get a story out by parents that negatively affect their kid. Parents that take advantage and abuse their children physically, mentally, spiritually. I’m one of them. Any news source that wants a f**king story, come here. I will give you a story, bar f**king none.”
While Singler’s video cuts out at the end, it appears as though it picks up in another video posted separately where the NBA vet goes on to say that his child is being used against him.
“Nobody wants to be helpful” – Kyle Singler doesn’t want the help of medication or therapy
As previously mentioned, late last year, Kyle Singler’s posts on social media created such a stir that the NBA Players Association got involved and reached out to his family.
After seeing how the NBA community, and in particular, former Mavericks majority owner Mark Cuban, rallied around NBA vet Delonte West, fans hoped that Singler could also get some help.
Since then, however, there’s been no real word on the situation, with no further updates beyond the fact that Singler continues to post on social media.
In a post this week, however, Kyle Singler indicated that people in his life want him to attend therapy and take medication. However, he has no intentions of doing so.
“I have people in my life that are threatening me to again, just jerk- continuing to jerk me around until I get on medication, I get a therapist, I go to therapy, psychology, you name it. And nobody, again, wants to be helpful in listening to somebody tell them, ‘Hey, I don’t want to do that. That’s not really help.’”
The video then abruptly cuts out like many of the others posted on his page.
While he’s made it clear that he doesn’t want to take medication or go to therapy, so far, it’s unclear what kind of help Singler is looking for.
In a previous video posted earlier in the week, he indicated that he wanted to open a first-of-its-kind Yoga studio, saying that it would take the effort of more people than just him to pull it off. Meanwhile, the fans and the NBA community can only wonder what they can do to help Singler.
Edited by Akshay Saraswat
Former OKC Thunder veteran Kyle Singler made a shocking revelation on social media today, accusing his parents of abuse as he battles mental health issues. Singler, who played for the Thunder from 2015 to 2018, shared a heartfelt post detailing the alleged abuse he suffered at the hands of his parents.In the post, Singler opened up about the struggles he has faced over the years and how they have been exacerbated by the abuse he endured as a child. He bravely spoke out about the emotional and physical trauma he experienced, and how it has impacted his mental health.
Singler’s post has sparked an outpouring of support from fans and fellow athletes, with many applauding him for his courage in speaking out. Mental health awareness is an important issue, and Singler’s bravery in sharing his story will undoubtedly help others who may be facing similar struggles.
We stand with Kyle Singler in his battle against mental health issues and hope that he finds the healing and support he needs. It is important to listen to and believe survivors of abuse, and to provide them with the resources and help they need to heal.
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Kyle Singler, OKC Thunder, mental health, abuse allegations, parents, former NBA player, athlete struggles, mental health awareness, professional basketball player, family dynamics, emotional trauma, sports news, mental health advocacy.
#OKC #Thunder #veteran #Kyle #Singler #accuses #parents #abuse #battles #mental #health #issuesUK backs local inquiries into child sexual abuse gangs after Musk stoked controversy
LONDON (AP) — Britain’s government said Thursday that it will support a series of local inquiries into cases of organized child sexual abuse in the wake of a furor largely stoked by the world’s richest man Elon Musk.
In a statement to lawmakers, Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the government has also authorized what she called a “rapid audit” of the “current scale and nature of gang-based exploitation across the country” and make recommendations.
The issue of so-called “grooming gangs,” also called “rape gangs” by some, has risen up the political agenda in the U.K. after Musk recently took to his X platform highlighting the problem and condemning British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Musk criticized Starmer for not backing a national inquiry into the matter following a request from the local authority in the northern English town of Oldham, where police found girls under 18 were sexually exploited by groups of men in the 2000s and 2010s. Musk also alleged that Starmer failed to bring perpetrators to justice when he was England’s chief prosecutor between 2008 and 2013, a charge that the prime minister vigorously denied.
Because the cases in Oldham and similar ones in several other towns involved predominantly white girls abused by men largely from Pakistani backgrounds, the issue has been used by far-right activists to link child sexual abuse to immigration, and to accuse politicians of covering up the crimes out of a fear of appearing racist.
The decision to back a local inquiry in Oldham and four other areas is a shift in the government’s position. It had previously indicated that there was no need for further investigations following a string of previous inquiries, both local and national.
“I hope this is a proper investigation,” Musk said on X in response to the government’s decision.
A seven-year inquiry was held under the previous Conservative government, but many of the 20 recommendations it made in 2022 — including compensation for abuse victims — have yet to be implemented.
Cooper confirmed Thursday that the government will act on them as soon as possible, adding that “much valuable time has already been lost” since the final report was published, “causing even more trauma to many victims and survivors.”
Cooper said the government will provide 10 million pounds ($12.5 million) to support its announcement, half of which will go to the inquiries.
“As we have seen, effective local inquiries can delve into far more local detail and deliver more locally relevant answers, and change, than a lengthy nationwide inquiry can provide,” she said.
The main opposition Conservative Party said Cooper’s measures aren’t sufficient as there are around 50 areas that have suffered from grooming gangs. It also voiced worries that the local inquires won’t be able to summon witnesses, something a national inquiry would have been able to.
The UK government has announced its support for local inquiries into child sexual abuse gangs following controversial comments made by Tesla CEO Elon Musk.Musk sparked outrage online after suggesting that victims of child sexual abuse gangs should be held responsible for their own trauma. His remarks were widely condemned as victim-blaming and insensitive.
In response to the backlash, the UK government is backing calls for local inquiries to investigate and address the issue of child sexual abuse gangs. These inquiries will aim to uncover the extent of the problem, identify the perpetrators, and provide support for victims and their families.
The decision to launch these inquiries comes as part of a broader effort to combat child sexual abuse and ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice. The government is committed to working with local communities, law enforcement agencies, and support services to tackle this issue and protect vulnerable children.
By supporting these inquiries, the UK government is sending a clear message that victims of child sexual abuse gangs deserve justice and support, and that those responsible for these heinous crimes will be held accountable. It is imperative that we continue to raise awareness, advocate for victims, and take action to prevent further abuse from occurring.
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- UK child sexual abuse investigations
- Local inquiries into abuse gangs
- Musk controversy sparks UK action
- Child exploitation in the UK
- Government response to abuse gangs
- Investigating child sexual abuse rings
- Musk comments on abuse scandal
- UK takes action on child abuse gangs
- Support for local inquiries into abuse
- Child protection measures in the UK
#backs #local #inquiries #child #sexual #abuse #gangs #Musk #stoked #controversy
Women’s claims of sexual abuse must be heard – unless they’re about master storyteller Neil Gaiman, apparently | Marina Hyde
Draw near, allies, for these are dark days for “kink-shaming”. At best, this is one of the whiniest, most pathetic and least helpful phrases to have entered the parlance of modern times – and at worst, it’s just another guy’s excuse for sexual abuse. It’s confusing. You try to be modern and post-conventional, and you end up enabling the most old-fashioned and conventional nastinesses of all.
Still, thank heavens for the parade of embattled famous men fighting kink-shaming’s corner. I have just one thing to say to all the lady authors, lady pop stars and lady actors out there. And that is: if you haven’t had an eye-wateringly expensive lawyer draft a statement about how consensual your sex with a tormented junior was, then are you really properly creative at all?
Fighting out of a Brooklyn detention centre, we have the rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is on remand facing sex trafficking charges and about 120 lawsuits alleging drugging and sexual abuse, including of teenagers and minors. He denies the charges, some of which relate to his so-called freak-off parties. This week, Diddy’s lawyer’s take on the multiple federal charges was that the US government was trying “to police non-conforming sexual activity”. “The prosecution of Mr Combs is both sexist,” this lawyer hazarded, “and puritanical.” Righto.
Elsewhere, we have actor and oil scion Armie Hammer, #MeTooed back in the day over a number of sexual abuse and coercion allegations, plus a little light cannibalism talk – which he says was like being “left standing there naked in front of the world with all of your proclivities or kinks being judged by the world”. Despite police reports, no charges were brought, and Armie now observes of his downfall that “people were my bags of dope with skin on it”. Ah, ye olde sex addict, hoovering up his chosen substance – women – that just happens to have “skin on it”.
Meanwhile, Channel 4 is currently showing a documentary on the rock star Marilyn Manson, who has successfully ridden out years of grim abuse allegations, including by his much younger former partner, Evan Rachel Wood. The documentary contains some previously unaired interview footage, in which Manson declares: “I’m not into rape whatsoever … I prefer to break a woman down to the point where they have no choice but to submit to me. Rape is for cowards, for lazy people.” Certainly for other people.
But arguably the newsiest one this week concerns the author Neil Gaiman, subject of what might have been last summer’s dam-breaking Tortoise podcast, Master. Except, there are some dams that people – and fandoms – are hugely invested in keeping intact. It has taken till now for the follow-up, courtesy of New York Magazine, in the form of an investigation entitled There Is No Safe Word, which features eight young women alleging sexual assault, coercion and misconduct by Gaiman, six of them on the record.
Gaiman denies anything was non-consensual, and says that the claims contain “descriptions of things that happened sitting beside things that emphatically did not happen”. He has remained largely hidden behind lawyers since the allegations surfaced last year, with one of these legal eagles telling Tortoise that “sexual degradation, bondage, domination, sadism, and masochism may not be to everyone’s taste, but between consenting adults, BDSM is lawful”. Was boundaried BDSM what was going on? The alleged victims say no, and they say it at complex length in the New York investigation.
Take the story told by Scarlett Pavlovich. Even unconventional people end up needing conventional things such as childcare, which Gaiman and his ex-wife Amanda Palmer seem to have decided was best obtained by asking women who were also fans. Aged 24, Pavlovich has arrived for her first day of work at Gaiman’s – he is 61 – to discover the child is in fact on a playdate. She has only known the author for a couple of hours when he suggests she takes a bath in his outdoor tub while he’s on a work call. Minutes after, he appears naked, and joins her, swiftly beginning to stroke her feet. According to the New York Magazine report, she tells him “she was gay, she’d never had sex, she had been sexually abused by a 45-year-old man when she was 15. Gaiman continued to press.” Indeed, he does so to the point of anal penetration. “Then he asked if he could come on my face, and I said ‘no’ but he did anyway. He said, ‘Call me “master”, and I’ll come.’ He said, ‘Be a good girl. You’re a good little girl.’” She goes home to Google #MeToo and Neil Gaiman. Yet in time, she also goes back to Gaiman and Palmer’s houses. And months later, a vulnerable young adult without a home and estranged from her own family, she is still stuck in this toxic cycle. And has still never been paid for all the childcare.
In our era, people have righteously debunked the myth of the perfect victim – but less so the myth of the perfect perpetrator. The perfect perpetrator is an evil stranger – yet sexual abuse is overwhelmingly likely to be carried out by someone you know, who you may be related to or in a relationship with, and who is pretty nice to you some of the time. These are complex and inconvenient truths, but they are truths.
Furthermore, there are perfect perpetrators in the public imagination. Harvey Weinstein, once he was exposed, was the perfect perpetrator. Physically repulsive – hey, it is what it is – and not actually famous in the world outside his professional community, he was the kind of 2D scumbag no civilian could possibly be invested in. People in the normal world will always be incalculably more relaxed about the exposure of a movie producer, a job they instinctively regard as commoditised, than they will be about losing any kind of artist, a job whose works have affected them over the course of many years. Perhaps this is why many fans of the master storyteller Neil Gaiman are refusing to listen to the less appealing, less magical accounts of those women who allege he took advantage of them.
As for Neil himself, I see Gaiman still can’t let go of the allyship argot, which frequently feels performative and knackered, but in the circumstances of this case comes off as actively ludicrous. Finally breaking the silence on Thursday, Gaiman said that he hadn’t commented thus far on the multiple, months-long stream of allegations, some of which he had allegedly sought to silence via NDAs, “out of respect for the people that were sharing their stories”.
Sharing their stories, if you please! Neil: some of them have “shared their stories” with Auckland and Devon and Cornwall police. Are you attempting to be an “ally” to your own alleged victims? Either way, great to find you holding space/checking your privilege for them. You’ll note that people like Neil even react to sexual abuse allegations in a superior way. Honestly, I’m feeling somewhat lesser, here. I’ve literally never given $60,000 or $275,000 to people I haven’t sexually assaulted so that I can – hang on, let me get my reading glasses on – help them get therapy/“make up some of the damage”. Having said that, I have always paid my nanny via PAYE, and have never attempted to have sex with her. I recommend it.
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Marina Hyde is a Guardian columnist
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In a recent article for The Guardian, columnist Marina Hyde discusses the troubling trend of dismissing women’s claims of sexual abuse when they involve beloved figures like Neil Gaiman. Hyde highlights the recent allegations made against the acclaimed author and how they have been met with skepticism and backlash from fans.Hyde argues that the #MeToo movement has made significant strides in giving women a platform to speak out against their abusers, but when those abusers happen to be well-known and respected figures, their victims are often silenced or discredited. This double standard only serves to perpetuate a culture of misogyny and protect powerful men at the expense of survivors.
The article calls for a reexamination of how we handle allegations of sexual abuse, particularly when they involve individuals with large followings or cultural influence. Women’s voices must be heard and their experiences validated, regardless of who the accused may be.
Hyde’s powerful commentary serves as a reminder that justice and accountability should not be selective – all claims of sexual abuse deserve to be taken seriously and thoroughly investigated, no matter who the perpetrator may be.
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- Women’s claims of sexual abuse
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- Marina Hyde opinion
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- Media bias
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- Justice for survivors
#Womens #claims #sexual #abuse #heard #theyre #master #storyteller #Neil #Gaiman #apparently #Marina #Hyde
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Parents headed to prison for abuse, neglect of adoptive kids
Jennifer and Joseph Wolfthal (Seminole County Sheriff’s Office).
A Florida children’s book author and her husband are headed to prison for the horrifying abuse and neglect of their three adoptive children which included ruptured sores, beating with a “whacker” and feeding them only a mixture of cereal and vegetable puree.
Jennifer Wolfthal, 45, and Joseph Wolfthal, 43, on Monday pleaded guilty to aggravated child abuse and neglect of a child with great bodily harm. As part of the plea deal, a judge sentenced Jennifer Wolfthal to 12 years in prison while her husband will spend a decade behind bars. The abuse came to light on New Year’s Day 2021 when Joseph Wolfthal brought one of the kids to a hospital in Altamonte Springs, a suburb of Orlando.
Doctors quickly realized the child was in dire straits and transferred her to a hospital with a pediatric intensive care unit. She had a “staph infection, sepsis, renal and liver failure, open infected wounds on both legs and pneumonia in both lungs,” a probable cause arrest affidavit says. The sores on her right lower leg were infected and had ruptured, she had a chipped tooth, two black eyes and weighed just 40 pounds, which was “very underweight” for the girl’s age. Her age is redacted from the report.
Joseph Wolfthal tried to blame the girl’s injuries on falls and brushing her teeth “too hard,” but based on the girl’s height and weight, investigators determined it was unlikely she could inflict these injuries upon herself. Deputies with the Seminole County Sheriff’s Office responded to the Wolfthal home where they found two other children in poor condition. They were removed from the home.
Two of the children were interviewed by investigators. Both described regular beatings at the hands of their adoptive parents. The Wolfthals would strike the kids with what they called a “whacker,” described as “being oblong and covered with fabric and was used regularly to deliver corporal punishment.” One of the kids also said that sometimes they were not allowed to eat until as late as 3 p.m., and when they were allowed to eat, food consisted of a mixture of cereal flakes, water and vegetable puree. Punishments, which the kids said occurred almost every night, also included exercises and writing sentences.
When cops searched the home they found over 1,100 written paragraphs that said “My body stays flat on the bed at all times. I was never given permission to move or say anything else. Now I get to write about this along with everything else. I’m a fool.” Deputies also found 10 other phrases written multiple times.
The children are now living with another family. The 18th Judicial State Attorney’s Office released the following statement to Law&Crime about the plea:
“This plea and sentencing agreement ensures that the Wolfthals will spend significant time in prison while it protects the already-traumatized victims from the stress of having to testify,” the statement said. ” The State Attorney’s Office made sure law enforcement and the children’s new guardian supported this sentence before agreeing to it.”
Jennifer Wolfthal wrote a children’s book called A Real Friend, which remains on sale on Amazon for $6.32. Her biography described her own childhood.
“As a child, you would find her immersed in anything creative — drawing, dancing, and playing teacher with her stuffed animal students,” it reads.
The bio goes on to say she taught fourth grade for eight years before home schooling her own children. Her publisher, Clavis Publishing, denounced her after her arrest in a description of her book.
At Clavis, we believe that children are beautiful and deserve our utmost respect and care. That is why we publish books to enrich their lives and help them grow up learning to know themselves, how to interact with others in a good way and how the world works. We were made aware of horrific news regarding one-time, Clavis’ author Jennifer Wolfthal’s arrest and strongly condemn child abuse, abandonment and neglect, today and always. We will do what’s within our power to cease commercialization of her book further.
It is a heartbreaking day as news has surfaced that two parents are headed to prison for the abuse and neglect of their adoptive children. This tragic situation sheds light on the importance of proper screening and monitoring of adoptive parents to ensure the safety and well-being of vulnerable children.The parents, who were entrusted with the care of these children, instead inflicted unimaginable harm on them, leaving physical and emotional scars that will last a lifetime. It is a stark reminder that not all individuals who seek to adopt have the best intentions, and that thorough background checks and ongoing support systems are crucial in preventing such atrocities.
As a society, we must do better to protect our most vulnerable members and hold those responsible for their mistreatment accountable. Our hearts go out to the children who have endured such trauma, and we hope that they are able to find healing and solace in a safe and loving environment moving forward.
Let this be a wake-up call to all of us to prioritize the safety and well-being of children in all circumstances, and to never turn a blind eye to signs of abuse or neglect. Together, we can work towards a future where every child is cherished, protected, and able to thrive in a loving and nurturing environment.
Tags:
- Parents in prison
- Child neglect
- Adoptive child abuse
- Legal consequences
- Family tragedy
- Child welfare
- Parental responsibility
- Criminal charges
- Abuse and neglect
- Foster care impact
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