#DOJ can unseal records from #Epstein's 2019 #SexTrafficking case, judge says

Secret grand jury transcripts from #JeffreyEpstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case can be made public, a judge ruled Wednesday, joining 2 other judges in granting the DOJ’s requests to unseal material from investigations into the late financier’s #SexualAbuse.

#law
https://apnews.com/article/epstein-sex-trafficking-case-records-justice-department-016bbded12959c90d1679e15aa273b60?utm_source=onesignal&utm_medium=push&utm_campaign=2025-12-10-Breaking+News

Judge says Epstein sex trafficking case files can be unsealed

A judge has ruled that secret grand jury transcripts from Jeffrey Epstein’s 2019 sex trafficking case can be made public. The judge Wednesday joined two other judges in granting the Justice Department’s requests to unseal material from investigations into the late financier’s sexual abuse. U.S. District Judge Richard M. Berman in New York reversed his earlier decision to keep the material under wraps, citing a new law that requires the government to open its files on Epstein and his longtime confidant Ghislaine Maxwell. The judge previously cautioned that the 70 or so pages of grand jury materials slated for release are hardly revelatory. On Tuesday, another Manhattan federal judge ordered the release of records from Maxwell’s 2021 case.

AP News
Former Baptist university V.P. indicted for lying about grooming, rape accusations

Bradley Reynolds, former Truett McConnell University vice president, was indicted for lying to police about a relationship with a student.

The Roys Report

"Documents in the bankruptcy indicate the church had been counting on the law being struck down to drastically limit – if not altogether eliminate – its liability in the vast majority of abuse claims."

#CatholicChurch #Catholic #SexualAbuse #coverup #NewOrleans
/3

"In 2021, Louisiana’s state legislature removed that prohibition and temporarily allowed the pursuit of those claims in civil court no matter how many years earlier the abuse had occurred. The state’s supreme court upheld the law as constitutional in June 2024, though allies of the archdiocese had tried to get it struck down."

#CatholicChurch #Catholic #SexualAbuse #coverup #NewOrleans
/2

"Roughly 600 survivors of the clergy molestation scandal that drove the New Orleans Catholic archdiocese into bankruptcy have secured the opportunity to collectively be paid $305m after attorneys for the victims and the church’s largest insurer struck a deal Monday, according to some of the lawyers."

~ Ramon Antonio Vargas and David Hammer

#CatholicChurch #Catholic #SexualAbuse #coverup #NewOrleans
/1

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/dec/08/payment-survivors-sexual-abuse-new-orleans

Hundreds of survivors of sexual abuse by New Orleans clergy to be paid $305m

Attorneys for the victims struck deal with the church’s largest insurer, who had refused to join a proposal but then reversed

The Guardian

Swansea man jailed for raping underage girl

Vodka and false promises

Lukman Oyofo, 48, of Princess Way, Swansea, gave the underage girl a bottle of vodka in December 2024 before persuading her and a friend to return to his flat on the pretence of calling them a taxi.

Once inside, Oyofo sexually assaulted and raped the teenager while her friend was nearby but incapacitated through alcohol.

He had earlier pleaded guilty to two counts of sexual assault on a female for offences committed in November 2024, but denied rape. A jury convicted him of rape and assault by penetration following trial at Swansea Crown Court.

Judge: “Ulterior motive”

Sentencing, Judge Catherine Richards told Oyofo he had an “ulterior motive” in supplying alcohol to the girl, who was “entering the adult world and experimenting with alcohol”.

She said he “took the opportunity” to sexually assault and rape his victim while her friend was unable to intervene.

Oyofo was sentenced to ten years in prison and will be a registered sex offender for life. The judge added that deportation was a matter for the Home Office.

Victim impact

In a statement read to the court, the teenager said the attack had had a “tremendous impact” on her life. She described suffering nightmares, anxiety and needing medication to help her sleep.

She said she had feared nobody would believe her, and that Oyofo had shown no remorse.

Police praise bravery

Detective Constable Rabaiotti said:

“Lukman Oyofo was under no illusion that the acts he carried out upon a child were illegal, yet he did so anyway.

The victim was unable to give her consent due to being underage. Oyofo exploited a power imbalance and thrived off it, doing so on multiple occasions.

We commend the bravery of the victim who, by sharing what Oyofo had done, helped to secure this conviction and sentence.”

Support for survivors

Police stressed how difficult it can be for survivors of sexual abuse to speak out, but said victims will be listened to, treated with dignity and supported through the judicial process.

Support for survivors of sexual abuse

Lifecentre
0808 802 0808 (freephone) / 07717 989 022 (textline)
lifecentre.uk.com
Helpline, text support and email counselling for survivors and supporters.

NAPAC
0808 801 0331 / support@napac.org.uk
napac.org.uk
Support for adult survivors of childhood abuse.

One in Four
0800 121 7114
oneinfour.org.uk
Advocacy, counselling and resources for survivors of childhood trauma and abuse.

Safeline
0808 800 5005 (National Male Survivor helpline)
safeline.org.uk
Helplines and support for adults and young people affected by sexual abuse.

The Survivors Trust
0808 8010 818
thesurvivorstrust.org
Directory of local services and independent sexual violence advisers (ISVAs).

Rape Crisis England & Wales
0808 802 9999
rapecrisis.org.uk
Support and local centre details for women and girls affected by sexual violence.

Related stories from Swansea Bay News

Swansea man jailed for sexual assault on teenage girl
A 47-year-old man was sentenced after admitting sexual assault on a teenager in a city centre flat.

Port Talbot man jailed for child sex offences
A man from Port Talbot has been jailed for multiple offences involving underage victims.

Police urge survivors to speak out as part of national campaign
South Wales Police joins national effort to support survivors of sexual abuse and raise awareness.

#ChildAbuse #sexualAbuse #sexualAssault #SouthWalesPolice #Swansea

🚨 Trẻ 12 tuổi tự mình đến công an tố cáo cha dượng xâm hại tình dục, sau 2 năm chịu đựng khi mẹ đi làm. Hành động dũng cảm này gửi thông điệp mạnh mẽ về việc bảo vệ quyền lợi và an toàn cho trẻ em. #BảoVệTrẻ #ChildProtection #SexualAbuse #Vietnam #ChauBe12 #CôngAn #ĐấuTranhBạoLực #SafeKids

https://vietnamnet.vn/chau-be-12-tuoi-tu-den-cong-an-to-cao-bi-cha-duong-xam-hai-2469395.html

Cháu bé 12 tuổi tự đến công an tố cáo bị cha dượng xâm hại

Mỗi khi mẹ đi làm cháu N. lại bị cha dượng xâm hại tình dục. Sau 2 năm chịu đựng, cháu đã tới công an tố cáo hành vi đồi bại của gã cha dượng.

Vietnamnet.vn
Kenyan MPs accuse British troops of sexual abuse and environmental harm http://newsfeed.facilit8.network/TPcC8s #Kenya #BritishTroops #SexualAbuse #EnvironmentalJustice #HumanRights