Category: accused sexual assault

Former Fox News Employee Sues Network Over Sexual Abuse Allegations

A former Fox News employee has filed a lawsuit against the outlet, alleging that she was subjected to sexual and psychological abuse for decades at the hands of former network head Roger Ailes, while claiming inaction from the corporate leadership. Laura Luhn, 62, started working with Fox in 1996. The lawsuit (pdf) was filed on…


Sexual Assault Trials of Brittany Higgins Officially Dropped

Prosecutors have abandoned charges against the man accused of raping Brittany Higgins following evidence that extended trials have taken a toll on the former Liberal staffer’s mental health. Higgins, who alleged ex-colleague Bruce Lehrmann raped her inside Parliament House in March 2019, was confirmed to have been admitted to the hospital. ACT Director of Public…


‘Coercive Control’ Outlawed in New South Wales, Australia

“Coercive control” has now been defined as an offence under a new law being passed in the Australian state of New South Wales (NSW). Dubbed the Coercive and Controlling Behaviour Bill 2020, the legislation creates an offence for “violent, menacing or intimidating” behaviour in a domestic relationship. It describes coercive control as isolating, controlling, frightening, humiliating,…


‘No Room’ for Media to Influence Jury’s Judgement on Sexual Assault Cases: Legal, Media Experts

Legal and media experts in Australia have weighed in on the high-profile sexual assault trial of former Liberal Party staffer Brittany Higgins, saying the media should “have no room” in the jury’s judgment in order to have a fair trial outcome. The comment comes after the Australian Capital Territory Supreme Court delayed Higgins’ trial until…


‘Extreme’ Media Attention Delays Trial of Brittany Higgins’ Rape Allegation, Justice Says

The trial of the man accused of sexually assaulting former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins has been delayed after television host Lisa Wilkinson praised Higgins in her acceptance speech at an Australian TV award. Australian Captial Territory Supreme Court Chief Justice Lucy McCallum on Tuesday said the “extreme” media attention around the matter would undermine a…


US Air Force General Convicted of Sexual Misconduct

Major General William T. Cooley, a U.S. Air Force general, was found guilty of sexual assault by a military court in Ohio on April 23, becoming the first general to be convicted in the 75-year history of the military wing. Cooley was charged with forcibly kissing a victim while in a car after an evening…