Posts Tagged ‘victims’
Monday, January 24th, 2011
Dr. Carrie Baker (left) Michelle Sigona (right) photo courtesy "Expressions of Eden Photography," Kimberly Elliott
I had the opportunity to travel to Portland, Oregon recently to be a part of a movement that is shaking communities and changing the way the public views domestic sex trade in America. The Soroptimist Northwest Coalition Against Human Trafficking (NWCAT) organized and held their third annual conference. I was honored to be a part of their event as a presenter on Child/Adult/Identity Internet and Technology Safety. Along with the workshop, I attended training on domestic human trafficking, met survivors of this underground world, learned from the experts in this industry and more importantly became energized to make a difference in my own city and state.
The phrase “human trafficking” may be something we’ve heard and maybe it was a phrase we stored into the “that doesn’t affect me category”; the same category that we associated with, “this is something that is an international problem and isn’t happening in American communities.” Actually, this is a problem in our own towns, one that we may not see on the surface and one that is directly affecting children and teens in America.
Tags: Backpage.com, Bradley Myles, Craigslist, domestic human trafficking, fbi, Geiger, internet safety, Michelle Bart, Mike Geiger, Northwest Conference Against Trafficking, NWCAT, Operation Cross Country, oregon, Polaris hotline, Polaris Project, pornography, Portland, Portland State Police, predators, prostitution, report card, Resources, Sgt. Mike Geiger, Shared Hope International, Soroptimist International, survivors, victims
Posted in Uncategorized | 1 Comment »
Monday, January 17th, 2011
Detroit Police Suspect Sketches
Investigators in Detroit released two new composite sketches of a man who is a suspect in multiple attacks against women. Authorities said they are testing forensic evidence in cases and there could be as many as seven rapes and one attack connected to one suspect.
Police say all of the women are black, and all except one are from Detroit. The other victim is from Clinton Township. The victims range in age from 17-33 and the attacks, except one, occurred as the women were walking, waiting or in the area of a bus stop. Authorities say one of the victim’s cars was hit and as she got out, the suspect grabbed her.
Investigators released specific locations and dates where the attacks occurred:
• Jan. 1, 5:54 a.m. 19100 block of E. Seven Mile, attempted assault on a 19-year-old victim
• Jan. 1, 6:15 a.m., 14200 Gratiot, 17-year-old victim
• Jan. 4, 3:45 a.m., 13900 block of Gratiot, 26-year-old victim
• Jan. 5, 10:30 p.m., 14000 block of Hazelridge, 19-year-old victim
Tags: Detroit, raped, sketches, victims, women
Posted in rape | No Comments »
Thursday, September 23rd, 2010
The National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims is only a month away. This year the event will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This important day is a partnership between the Maryland Crime Victim Resource Center (MCVRC), Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).
According to the MCVRC, “The event honors the lives of those taken by violence; publicly recognizes the impact of homicide on their surviving family members and friends; and pays tribute to those organizations that work with and provide services to survivors of homicide victims.”
There are scholarships available for travel costs. You can find out more about those on the Parents of Murdered Children’s website.
SCHEDULE:
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – “Supporting Survivors: A Forum for Discussion” – This portion of the day will focus on exploring issues that survivors face and helping to meet their needs.
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – CEREMONY – This will highlight the unveiling of the “Murder Wall” to honor victims’ memories. This is an exhibit provided by POMC, and will have thousands of victims’ names inscribed in the wall.
Tags: 2010, ceremony, Crime, event, Maryland Crime Victims Resource Center, MCVRC, National Day of Remembrance for Murder victims, Office of Victims of Crime, Parents of Murdered Children, POMC, September, victims
Posted in SAFETY PROGRAM | No Comments »
Thursday, August 26th, 2010
The National Day of Remembrance for Murder Victims is only a month away. This year the event will take place on Saturday, September 25, 2010 at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. This important day is a partnership between the Maryland Crime Victim Resource Center (MCVRC), Parents of Murdered Children (POMC) and the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC).
According to the MCVRC, “The event honors the lives of those taken by violence; publicly recognizes the impact of homicide on their surviving family members and friends; and pays tribute to those organizations that work with and provide services to survivors of homicide victims.”
There are scholarships available for travel costs. You can find out more about those on the Parents of Murdered Children’s website.
SCHEDULE:
1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. – “Supporting Survivors: A Forum for Discussion” – This portion of the day will focus on exploring issues that survivors face and helping to meet their needs.
5:30 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. – CEREMONY – This will highlight the unveiling of the “Murder Wall” to honor victims’ memories. This is an exhibit provided by POMC, and will have thousands of victims’ names inscribed in the wall.
Tags: 2010, crimes, justice, Maryland Crime Victim Resource Center, murder, National Day of Remembrance for Murder victims, National Press Club, September, victims
Posted in event, murder | No Comments »
Friday, August 13th, 2010
- Elias Abuelazam (suspect photo)
The man suspected of stabbing 18 victims and trying to flee from the country was taken down Wednesday night at Atlanta’s Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport. Elias Abuelazam, 33, was booked on a Delta flight for Israel when a tip developed into a strong lead that put investigators hot on his trail. As he was waiting to get on his plane, Abuelazam was taken down around 10 p.m. I spoke with Lt. Gene Kapp of the Michigan State Police and he said since Monday they’ve received 600 tips in this case, one of which turned out to be an excellent lead. Abuelazam had his first hearing today and will not fight extradition to Michigan to face one inital charge of assault with intent to murder for a July 27, 2010 incident.
Lt. Kapp realizes that if the tip had come in just a few hours later, the alleged suspect may have been on the flight across the world. “Everyone was working hard to place him there, and the fact that we had the contacts and the communications with the federal agencies to move that quick to make the apprehension for us,” added Kapp.
Tags: african american, arrest, Atlanta, Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport, attacks, Delta airlines, Elias Abuelazam, Leesburg, Lt. Gene Kapp, men, Michelle Sigona, Michigan, ohio, Serial stabber, stabbed, victims, virginia
Posted in predator, serial killer | 1 Comment »
Thursday, May 13th, 2010
Sarah Foxwell (left) Thomas Leggs, Jr. (right)
Convicted sex offender Thomas J. Leggs, Jr. appeared in Wicomico County Circuit Court today in front of a judge who granted him an automatic change of venue for his murder trial. Leggs is facing the death penalty for the kidnapping, rape and murder of 11-year-old Sarah Foxwell. A trial date has not been set, and the judge is consulting and doing research to figure out the best courtroom for a fair trial to take place.
The State’s Attorney for Wicomico County issued a release on February 9, 2010 stating, “The Grand Jury for Wicomico County indicted Thomas Leggs, Jr. for the First Degree Murder of Sarah Foxwell, in addition to First Degree Burglary, Kidnapping, Kidnapping of a Child, and First and Second Degree Sexual Offense.” Leggs is currently being held without bond. According to the press release, “The State will file Notice of Intent to Seek the Death Penalty and the Notice of Intent To Seek Life Without Possibility of Parole before the end of February.”
Tags: convicted sex offender, first degree kidnapping, Jr., murder, rape, sarah foxwell, sexual offense, thomas leggs, victim, victims
Posted in Endangered Missing, missing child, murder, predator | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, April 6th, 2010
The public often thinks rape victims are attacked by random suspects, but that’s not necessarily the case. The RAINN network (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network) is the largest anti-sexual assault organization, and they say 73% of victims know their attackers.
April is sexual assault awareness month. The statistics of sexual assault are quite alarming and show 1 in 6 women and 1 in 33 men will be sexually assaulted in their lifetime. Approximately every two minutes someone is assaulted. Sadly, 60% of assaults aren’t even reported. NPR recently profiled a story on campus rape victims describing how 1 in 5 students are attacked, and how the schools may be failing the youth. They highlight the work of Security On Campus, Inc.
So what can you do to help? There’s a list of things you can do to get involved this month. Take a look at the GET INVOLVED category on RAINN’s website. RAINN also provides free online training for crisis centers and volunteers. The 24/7 hotline is staffed with counselors who care and want to make a difference. If you are a victim, and you have not reported the rape, please take time to reach out to RAINN.
Tags: RAINN network, rape, Sexual Assault awareness month, teaching, training, victims
Posted in SAFETY PROGRAM, predator, rape | 1 Comment »
Tuesday, March 30th, 2010
- Juan Carlos Cruz (mugshot)
Hillsborough County investigators are searching for a man wanted for first degree murder and an armed burglary with a firearm. Authorities believe Juan Carlos Cruz, 37, shot and killed Enrique Trevino, 29, in Plant City, FL. According to a report with Crimestoppers, detectives say, “the suspect drove to the victim’s residence and chased the victim in the residence while shooting at him.” Trevino was later pronounced dead at the South Florida Baptist Hospital.
Investigators recovered the getaway vehicle Cruz fled in, but they haven’t been able to find him. Cruz is considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information and who wants to be eligible for a cash reward is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-873-TIPS (8477), report anonymously online at www.crimestopperstb.com or text “CSTB” plus your tip to C-R-I-M-E-S (274637).
Tags: drove, Enrique Trevino, florida, Hillsboro County, Juan Carlos Cruz, murder, Plant City, victims, wanted
Posted in Uncategorized, missing adult, murder, unsolved murder | No Comments »
Monday, March 15th, 2010
- Rodney Alcala (March 2010)
A convicted serial killer who once appeared on the dating game in the 1970’s is now sitting on death row for the third time. Rodney Alcala represented himself in court last week for the rapes and murders of four women and one child, and police fear there may be even more victims. Alcala was found guilty of murdering 12-year-old Robin Samsoe in 1980 and again in1986 and was sentenced to death both times, but appeals overturned the cases, prolonging the pain for the victim’s family. This case was prolonged much like police say Alcala prolonged the lives of his victims. As he would strangle them, and just before they would die, Alcala would bring them back to life by resuscitating them.
The District Attorney’s office was finally able to link four adult cases with DNA to put Alcala on trial for the murders of child Robin Samsoe, 12 and adults Jill Barcomb, 18, Jill Parenteau, 21, Georgia Wixted, 27, and Charlotte Lamb, 32. The prosecutors say he raped one of the women with a claw hammer. On March 9, 2010, Alcala was sentenced to death againor the rape and murder of Robin and the murders of the other four women. Let’s just hope this time Alcala isn’t granted yet another appeal.
Tags: 125 photos, convicted, dating game, more victims, Orange County District Attorney, photographs, police, prolonged lives, Rodney Alcala, serial killer, victims
Posted in Unsolved, missing adult, missing child, murder, serial killer | 2 Comments »
Thursday, December 24th, 2009
Sarah Foxwell missing
Rest peacefully Sarah
Very sad news to report this Christmas. Just a few hours ago missing 11-year-old, Sarah Foxwell’s body was found by searchers near the Maryland-Delaware line. Nearly 3,000 volunteers gave up their Christmas to search for the missing child throughout the Eastern Shore of Maryland. Investigators say Sarah went missing on Tuesday from her home, and authorities believe Thomas J. Leggs, Jr., 30, a convicted sex offender, is the one who kidnapped her. Leggs is charged with kidnapping and burglary, and more charges are likely to follow. It is believed that Leggs did know the child, and may have been a former boyfriend of Sarah’s aunt, who is her legal guardian. Police fear there are other children who are victims of Thomas Leggs, and they are working to identify those children now. If you have any information, please contact the Wicomico County Sheriff’s office: (410) 548-4891
Tags: body found, burglary, christmas, convicted sex offender, Delaware, endangered missing child, john deere, kidnapping, maryland, sarah foxwell, searchers, victims, volunteer
Posted in Uncategorized | No Comments »
