sexual abuse
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Nicki Minaj’s Brother Found Guilty of Child Rape, Faces 25 to Life
In one of the most disturbing stories of the year, Jelani Maraj, older brother of rapper Nicki Minaj, was found guilty Thursday of predatory sexual assault and endangering the welfare of a child in a nearly three-week-long rape case. As previously reported by The Root, Maraj, 38, stood accused of repeatedly raping his stepdaughter starting…
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Girl at Center of Rape Trial of Nicki Minaj’s Brother Gives Horrifying Details in Testimony
Trigger warning: Very vivid descriptions of rape and sodomy as told by the alleged victim herself. The former stepdaughter of Nicki Minaj’s brother gave horrifying details Monday about how her former stepfather allegedly repeatedly raped her in their Long Island, N.Y., home beginning when she was just 11 years old. The 13-year-old testified that Jelani…
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The Most Recent—and Disturbing—Abuse Allegations Launched Against R. Kelly: Report
One of R. Kelly’s ex-girlfriends has come forward in a Rolling Stone article with new allegations of sexual, emotional and physical abuse against the R&B singer. Kitti Jones, a former radio DJ, cataloged the entire dizzying, two-year relationship with the “Pied Piper” of R&B to the magazine, describing how they met (at an after-party following…
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Watch: The Real Woman Behind ‘Me Too’
‘ Tarana Burke is an activist, an organizer, a mother, a survivor of sexual violence and the founder of the Me Too Movement. Burke founded the campaign in 2006 after a young girl confided in her, sharing a story of abuse—which Burke recounts on her website. Burke froze up and suggested that someone else help…
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#SolidarityIsForWhiteWomen, Part 2: On Rose McGowan and the Continued Failure of White Feminism
For once … I’d like to be wrong. For once, I’d like white feminists to not be so damn predictable. For once, I’d like white feminists to prove me wrong and do the complete opposite of what I expect them to do. For once, I’d like them to deviate from their typical play where they…
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#MeToo Highlights the Disturbing Prevalence of Sexual Harassment and Assault
If you were online Sunday, chances are your timelines were flooded with the hashtag #MeToo, a social media campaign that highlights how common and widespread sexual abuse is by giving people the space to affirm their experiences with harassment and assault. The viral hashtag, which appeared on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, has been credited to…
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Viola Davis Speaks Out on Weinstein: ‘You Don’t Get to Choose the Consequences’
Viola Davis, First of Her Name, the Unbossed, Queen of Acceptance Speeches and Yellow Gowns, released a scorching statement to Variety on the Harvey Weinstein scandal. Davis joined the growing chorus of entertainers and politicians condemning the legendary Hollywood producer for his years of harassing and abusing the women whose work he was supposed to…
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What the Obamas Have to Say About Harvey Weinstein
As the fallout from the long-suppressed story of Harvey Weinstein’s alleged predatory sexual abuse continues, the Obamas have spoken out. In a statement released late Tuesday, former President Barack Obama also spoke on behalf of his wife, Michelle. Weinstein had not only donated millions of dollars to the Democratic Party but had also hosted fundraisers…
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R. Kelly Accuser Alleges Older Woman Trained Her to Please Him Sexually
R. Kelly continues to deny any wrongdoing when it comes to holding women captive and sexually assaulting teenagers, but one woman is now speaking out about the abuse she says she experienced at the hands of “the Pied Piper of R&B.” Last month, in an interview published by BuzzFeed, 24-year-old Jerhonda Pace came forward and…
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New R. Kelly Accuser Violates Nondisclosure Agreement With Underage-Sex Claims
Jerhonda Johnson says she was a starstruck 15-year-old when she first met R. Kelly. Johnson didn’t meet him at a concert, or at her high school, where Kelly was allegedly known to troll. Johnson met Kelly while on daily watch outside his child-pornography trial in 2008. In a new report for BuzzFeed News, Jim DeRogatis…