Child Molestation vs. Sexual Abuse

Child sexual abuse is a complicated topic. There are several different definitions of what constitutes child sexual abuse, leading to issues gathering accurate statistics. The terms and definitions used are important on a legal level, however, as they describe separate crimes and come with different consequences for perpetrators. It is also important to understand the… read more

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Child Molestation Statute of Limitations

In most states, there is a statute of limitations on bringing criminal charges against a perpetrator for alleged child molestation. California, however, recently ended its statutes of limitations on most felony sex crimes. This means if you are a survivor of child molestation in California, you can most likely press charges against the perpetrator at… read more

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Child Molestation Laws in California

Child molestation refers to many types of crimes motivated by a sexual interest against a child victim. The legal definition of a child in California is a minor under the age of 18. Dozens of specific acts meet the definition of child molestation and child sexual abuse under state law in California. Learning more about… read more

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Orange County Sheriffs Arrest Costa Mesa Teacher Accused of Child Molestation

In an urgent press release, the Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced today (Wednesday, January 23rd, 2019) that investigators had arrested Brandon Jacob Nease on suspicion of felony child molestation. The decision to arrest Nease stems directly from possible child sexual abuse committed against a 13-year-old boy in 2011, when Nease was 18 or 19. However,… read more

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Substitute Teacher Arrested for Unlawful Sex with Minor Student from Yucaipa High School

26-year-old Trevor Jack Trathen has been booked into jail for oral copulation with a minor who is only 14 years of age, as well as penetration with a foreign object on a minor 14 years of age. A Yucaipa High School substitute teacher, Trathen has since been removed from the Yucaipa and Calimesa School District… read more

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Brentwood School Teacher Arrested & Accused of Unlawful Sex with a Minor

Dr. Aimee Palmitessa, a 45-year-old biology teacher at an elite Brentwood private school, has been accused of unlawful sex with an underage student. She was arrested on suspicion of statutory rape on Friday, August 18th. Allegedly, Palmitessa engaged in sex involving a 16-year-old student of one of Los Angeles’ most expensive schools. Palmitessa earned a… read more

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Wrestling Coach Terry Terrell Gillard Charged with Child Molestation

Terry Terrell Gillard of Sylmar, 56-year-old wrestling coach at John H. Francis Polytechnic High School, was recently charged with more 60 relating to alleged sexual assaults of 4 students. The conduct reportedly occurred between 2014 and 2017, and involved students and minors Gillard met through his position as wrestling coach. The Los Angeles County District… read more

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Prominent Taekwondo Athlete, Steven Lopez, and Coach Jean Lopez Accused of Sexual Abuse

The Olympic governing body has once again been accused of failing to protect athletes from their abusers, the most prominent example being that of the U.S. Gymnastics team. Former doctor for the U.S. Gymnastics team, Dr. Lawrence Nassar has accumulated more than 100 complaints of sexual abuse against him for sexually assaulting young athletes in… read more

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El Dorado Gymnastics Instructor Accused of Child Molestation

Keith Willette, a 54 year-old gymnastics instructor and professional photographer from Cameron Park, was arrested this past Thursday on suspicion of child molestation. According to the El Dorado Country Sherriff’s Office, Willette had been under investigation for a week prior to his arrest. His alleged victim came forward and informed authorities of the years of… read more

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Saddleback Church Youth Mentor Arrested on Suspicion of Lewd Acts with a Child

Absolutely no one deserves to experience the horrors of sexual abuse. When a child is sexually abused, his or her entire life can be harmed by the horrific acts of another. The most important thing to do when this happens is to immediately notify law enforcement, because you never know if you may be speaking… read more

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