While the criminal justice system is designed to punish individuals who break the law, it also provides a measure of justice for their victims. When that is not possible, victims may have the opportunity to hold institutions and others who may bear some legal...
Kennedy Kennedy & Ives
Conviction for sexual abuse may not provide enough justice
Prosecutors across the country, including those here in New Mexico, do their best to put predators behind bars. Even so, a conviction for sexual abuse may not provide enough justice for the victims. In that case, civil litigation may be possible in order to pursue...
Serving in the U.S. military should not come with sexual abuse
As a member of the U.S. Armed Forces, residents of New Mexico and other states agree to put their lives on the line to protect the nation and the freedoms those living here enjoy. It should not mean being in danger of becoming the victim of sexual abuse, and then a...
What happens if your harasser continues to work at your company?
Seeing the person who sexually harassed you face consequences can be a significant victory. However, many victims of harassment find themselves facing a new challenge in the months after this victory: their harasser’s return to work. How often do victims continue to...
Which industries have the highest rates of sexual harassment?
Sexual harassment is not a problem that is limited to certain industries. Unfortunately, such occurrences can occur in all types of workplaces. Even though awareness of the issue has risen in recent years, unfortunately, instances of sexual harassment — most...
Just how big is child sexual abuse problem in New Mexico?
A recent in-depth national media piece addressing the nature and scope of images depicting sexually exploited and abused children references a troubling fiction concerning them that is prevalent across the United States.Namely, that is this: Many Americans believe...
Spotlight on Catholic Church “pontifical secrecy” rule
"The carnival of obscurity is over."Hopefully that will now be the case, although the results stemming from a recent Vatican announcement relevant to sex abuse reports involving clerics will only become apparent with the passage of time. The above comment, offered by...
Male-dominated law enforcement culture leaves some vulnerable
The intense camaraderie and protectiveness that law enforcement officers feel toward one another is a source of professional pride for many in the industry. However, the so-called thin blue line that officers dare not cross by getting one another in trouble can leave...
Are there evidence-based solutions to protect kids from sexual abuse?
There's lots of hand wringing and "we're trying our best, but" protestations when it comes to suggestions to better identify and ward off acts of sexual abuse toward children, of course. Tragically, after-the-fact excuses and finger pointing are all too common and...
Priests in longstanding Albuquerque church accused of sexual abuse
The Immaculate Conception Church commands a notably long historical presence in Albuquerque. The parish recently had a celebration commemorating 135 years of formal existence as a formal Jesuit community in the area.The Albuquerque Journal notes in a recent article...