sexual-assault

General Assembly sends Wolf a bill adding protections against sexual assault in police custody

BY: - July 7, 2020

To include police officers, criminal justice reformers were forced to also back enhanced penalties for prison inmates who attack a prison guard.

Allegheny County DA’s Office says judge erred when he threw out ex-Carnegie-Mellon student’s sexual assault conviction

BY: - February 13, 2020

In a court filing, prosecutors say Judge Alex Bicket incorrectly substituted his judgment for that of the jury's when he dissmissed charges.

Pennsylvania has a ‘patchwork’ of local policies for storing rape kits and collecting anonymous evidence. A new law could change that

BY: - July 19, 2019

A new law will require all rape kits collected in Pennsylvania to be stored until the statute of limitations on the incident expires: 12 years for adult rape victims. 

COMMENTARY

This important state policy change on sexual assault care is long overdue | Opinion

BY: - April 25, 2019

Hospitals need to have trained sexual assault examiners available at all times.

How the Pa. General Assembly is trying to expand rights for crime victims

BY: and - April 14, 2019

The House and Senate have approved a dozen victim-centered bills over the last past week, including a few identical versions of the same bill passed by both chambers.

Lawmakers are taking a new approach to give older child sex abuse victims the chance to sue

BY: - April 8, 2019

A House committee advanced bills from two members who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse Monday, as the lawmakers seek justice for minor victims.

Former Pa. Rep. Miccarelli lands job at Delaware County nonprofit that receives public dollars

BY: - March 19, 2019

After leaving the General Assembly last year under the shadow of domestic violence and sexual assault accusations he denies, former Republican Rep. Nick Miccarelli has found a new job. As first reported by the Delaware County Daily Times, Miccarelli is now executive director of Community Transit, a nonprofit company that transports Delaware County residents who have […]

Sexual assault complaint against Butler County lawmaker filed with Pa. House GOP

BY: - March 13, 2019

A woman who has accused state Rep. Brian Ellis, R-Butler, of sexual assault has sent a formal complaint against him to a lawyer working for the House Republican majority, according to reporting by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Philadelphia Inquirer. The complaint stems from an incident in October 2015, when the victim went out to a […]

COMMENTARY

Wolf, lawmakers have to step up this budget season to help survivors of sexual abuse | Opinion

BY: - February 5, 2019

The time is now to provide additional, sustained resources to help survivors weathering the storm both today and in the future.

Leach steps down from key committee post in light of sexual misconduct accusations

BY: - February 4, 2019

He stepped down to "avoid even the appearance of a conflict of interest" as he pursues a defamation lawsuit against three women, one of whom accused him of sexual assault.