Latest news with #sexabuse
CBS News
20 hours ago
- CBS News
Families urge Maryland school not to bring back teacher acquitted of sex abuse
Several families launched a petition to urge a Maryland school district not to bring back Matthew Schlegal, a teacher who was acquitted of sex abuse in June. Schlegal was found not guilty on 18 counts of sex offenses, and three other charges were dismissed after a five-week trial. He was accused of sexually abusing eight of his students between 2022 and 2024 when he was a third-grade teacher at an Anne Arundel County elementary school. The parents of some of the alleged victims and child sex abuse advocates have continued to express their outrage after the trial, claiming Schlegal was wrongly acquitted. The petition, launched by the families through attorney Thiru Vignarajah, urges the school district to keep Schlegal out of the classroom. "Teaching is not a right—it is a responsibility and a privilege. We believe student safety must come first," the petition reads. After Schlegal was acquitted in June, the school district said it would work to finalize a review of his job status, as they are obligated to do under state law. According to Vignarajah, the school district said this week that it's still evaluating the employment decision. "The group is initiating a petition drive to ensure the public's voice is heard loud and clear: Individuals who betray our trust and exploit our children should never again teach in Anne Arundel County," Vignarajah said in a statement. Schlegel was released from custody shortly after the verdict, but is prohibited from contacting the alleged victims or their families, and cannot be unsupervised around minors. His attorneys said he suffered and would be in shock for some time.
BBC News
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
How Jimmy McGovern created the storyline behind Unforgivable
When award-winning screenwriter Jimmy McGovern received a letter from a woman who worked with sex offenders, he was curious to find out more."I went down to talk to the psychologist and she told me this story," recalls McGovern, whose catalogue of work includes Cracker, The Street, Accused and Time. "It was about a young man who had become a child abuser and he realised that he had been abused as a child himself."Understandably he decided to take the child abuser - the man who abused him - to court." It was during this meeting that Liverpool-born McGovern felt compelled to write about has a reputation for tackling complicated and emotive subjects - Unforgivable is no latest drama centres around the Mitchell family who are dealing with the devastating aftermath of an act of sex abuse perpetrated by a member of their own family."I don't try to be controversial," says McGovern, who has written about this topic before in shows including Priest and Broken."I go along and talk to people and I think these people will be very interesting and I get sucked in."I always say to people, why write about things that do not matter? "It's hard enough to sit at your computer and write, it's so hard." Like much of McGovern's work, Unforgivable is set in the north of England - more specifically his hometown of Liverpool."I love the city and I'm actually so proud of it as well... you forget how beautiful it is," he drama stars a host of acting talent including Bobby Schofield, Anna Maxwell Martin, Anna Friel and David does McGovern have an army of actors awaiting his call when he puts pen to paper each time?"I've just been turned down by an actor we wanted so it doesn't always work that way," he laughs."As a writer you are constantly turned down, it's just that you don't talk about it - but you mark the director's card, that's the last time I offer you anything. "There are some actors you just want all the time."We did write [the role in Unforgivable] for Bobby Schofield, which is dangerous to do because often they'll say 'no' and you've written with them in mind."Thank God he said 'yes'. I think he's fantastic in this." When asked if - over the course of his career - there is a particular piece of writing that means more to him than most, his answer is immediate."Hillsborough," he says. "Because it meant so much to the people of the city.""It's definitely not the best thing I've ever written," he adds. "I wrote it with an army of lawyers looking at it, so it was difficult to do an awful lot of stuff I wanted to do."[But] I always say when I die, I'll have that tucked under my arm and go up and say, 'okay I was drunk too much, but I made this'." Ahead of the release of Unforgivable, McGovern says he believes the audience "will learn things" from the fictional drama."Even though we're talking about child abusers, I still think there's a need for compassion," he says."Caution, yes, punishment, yes, justice, yes. "These are enormous crimes, they must be punished, you must go to prison. But alongside all that, an element of compassion. "To understand a bit more and equally condemn."You can watch Unforgivable on BBC Two and BBC iPlayer from 21:00 BST on Thursday 24 July. Listen to the best of BBC Radio Merseyside on Sounds and follow BBC Merseyside on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
News.com.au
6 days ago
- Business
- News.com.au
Criterion: Childcare abuse allegations overshadow value in struggling listed sector
Share price rot across listed childcare operators began well before this month's disturbing child sex abuse allegations A dwindling birth rate is contributing to the first post-pandemic supply glut Growth drivers include the government abolishing the work activity test for the childcare rebate Not surprisingly, the dozens of child sex abuse charges levelled at a former Melbourne childcare worker have seen parents questioning whether their offspring are safe. The accused, Joshua Dale Brown, faces around 70 charges pertaining to his time at multiple centres over the last eight years. For the childcare operators, the repercussions are intense scrutiny and likely bolstered regulation. For investors, it's time for a deep breath as the course of justice takes its place. One question is whether parents will stop using childcare, especially when they work and have little choice anyway. Bear in mind the sector already faces wider scrutiny about serious lapses: anything from lax hygiene to runaway kids to staff underpayments. Under pressure Brown's alleged crimes have exacted the greatest share price toll on G8 Education (ASX:GEM), by far the biggest of the four ASX-listed childcare exponents. Reports of three families lodging a civil claim against G8 have compounded the initial shock. Brown worked at two G8 centres at Point Cook in Melbourne's west. G8 says it will implement measures including rolling out closed circuit cameras across all its centres. After the outcome of the criminal proceedings, the company will commission an independent review to 'inform further changes'. G8 shares have tumbled around 23% since police charged Brown at the start of the month. The shares in the other listed childcare exponents – Mayfield Childcare (ASX:MFD), Nido Education (ASX:NDO) and Embark Education Group (ASX:EVO) – have lost around 13%, 4% and 3% respectively. Baby bust curtails demand Childcare supply has outstripped demand for the first time since 2021. On the demand side, even Big Ted could work out that more babies would help. According to KPMG Australia's analysis this week, Australia's birth rate recovered 2.6% to 292,500 in 2024. But the rate is still 3.8% below the 2019 pre-pandemic level of 304,000. The fertility rate stands at 1.51 per female, well below the replacement rate of 2.1. Separately, broker Canaccord estimates that in 2025 there are likely to be 8000 fewer kids enrolled, a 2.8% decline. The firm expects 400 centres to open, taking the national complement to 9463 centres (up 4.3%). Brighter times in the sand pit? But a deeper dive into the sandpit doesn't necessarily paint a gloom-and-doom picture. In the short term, the dwindling birth rate affects the baby rooms. These are less profitable than the older 'kindie' rooms because of a higher staff-to-child ratio. From January 2026, the feds will abolish the 'activity rule'. This means parents don't have to be working or studying to be eligible for childcare subsidies for three days a week. They may just want a break from their billy lids and who can blame 'em? Canaccord estimates the change will create $1 billion of extra subsidies, thus generating 2-5% of additional demand. Meanwhile, the Reserve Bank's rate cuts to date have provided cost of living relief. This week's spiky unemployment number suggests there are more to come, despite this month's surprise pause. Today's lesson is: resilience Given the travails, the performance of the listed operators hasn't been that bad. With G8, Macquarie Equities expects a net profit for the year to June 2025 of $69.4 million, rising to $78.5 million in FY26. G8 on April 20 reported a year-to-date occupancy decline of 3% across its 400 centres. But from February, the decline had abated to 1.9%. In calendar 2024, Nido overcame staffing issues to turn a previous $14.9 million loss into a $19.5 million profit, with revenue climbing 74% to $166 million. While the sex abuse charges are likely to continue to weigh on the sector, the shares look keenly valued on earnings multiples of ten times or less and yields of 6-9%. (In recovery mode under a new CEO, Mayfield is the exception having posted only a token profit last year). Alternatively, property trust Charter Hall Social Infrastructure REIT (ASX:CQE) owns a swag of centres accounting for 74% of its overall $2.1 billion portfolio. Key tenants are the not-for-profit Good Start – the country's biggest childcare operator – and G8. The average weighted lease is 11.9 years. Landlords are a step removed from changing the nappies and cleaning snot from the walls. Whatever the case, investors shouldn't throw out the baby with the bath water.
BreakingNews.ie
6 days ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Trump threatens to sue Wall Street Journal over report on Epstein birthday letter
Donald Trump's name appeared on a risque 2003 personal note to Jeffrey Epstein, The Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The US president responded that the letter was fake. The Journal reported that the letter was one of several included in a leather-bound album meant to celebrate Epstein's 50th birthday, about three years before sex abuse allegations emerged against the financier. Advertisement Reuters could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the letter. Mr Trump quickly responded to the story on his Truth Social platform, saying he would sue the newspaper and Rupert Murdoch, who controls its publisher, News Corp. "The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued," Mr Trump wrote. "President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly." Advertisement A spokesperson for the Wall Street Journal and its parent company, Dow Jones & Co, declined to comment on its story or Mr Trump's threat to sue. Representatives for News Corp and Mr Murdoch could not immediately be reached for comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. The White House has been roiled by questions about disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Epstein, after the Justice Department this month concluded that there was no evidence to support a number of long-held conspiracy theories about his clients and 2019 death in prison. Attorney general Pam Bondi had pledged months earlier to reveal major revelations about Epstein, including "a lot of names" and "a lot of flight logs". Advertisement Some Trump supporters have demanded the release of more information on Epstein, causing a rare fracture within his base of support. Mr Trump has pushed back. "It's all been a big hoax," Mr Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, as calls increased for the release of more information on Epstein's clients. But Mr Trump and Ms Bondi said on Thursday they would seek court permission to release grand jury testimony from the Epstein case. The Journal said the birthday letter, bearing Mr Trump's name, contains several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appeared to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. The newspaper said the letter concludes 'Happy Birthday — and may every day be another wonderful secret," and featured the signature "Donald". Advertisement Vice president JD Vance responded to the story on X, saying, "Forgive my language but this story is complete and utter bullshit. The WSJ should be ashamed for publishing it." Allegations that Epstein had been sexually abusing girls became public in 2006 - after the birthday book was compiled - and he was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein died in 2019 in jail after he was arrested a second time and charged with sex trafficking conspiracy.
Globe and Mail
6 days ago
- Politics
- Globe and Mail
Trump's name on 50th-birthday letter to Epstein, Wall Street Journal reports
Donald Trump's name appeared on a risque 2003 personal note to Jeffrey Epstein, the Wall Street Journal reported on Thursday. The U.S. president responded that the letter was fake. The Journal reported that the letter was one of several included in a leather-bound album meant to celebrate Epstein's 50th birthday, about three years before sex-abuse allegations emerged against the financier. Reuters could not immediately confirm the authenticity of the letter. Trump quickly responded to the story on his Truth Social platform, saying he would sue the newspaper and Rupert Murdoch, who controls its publisher, News Corp. 'The Wall Street Journal, and Rupert Murdoch, personally, were warned directly by President Donald J. Trump that the supposed letter they printed by President Trump to Epstein was a FAKE and, if they print it, they will be sued,' Trump wrote. 'President Trump will be suing The Wall Street Journal, NewsCorp, and Mr. Murdoch, shortly.' A spokesperson for the Wall Street Journal and its parent company, Dow Jones & Co, declined to comment on its story or Trump's threat to sue. Representatives for News Corp and Murdoch could not immediately be reached for comment. The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Reuters. Trump orders release of grand jury testimony in Epstein case The White House has been roiled by questions about disgraced financier and convicted sex offender Epstein, after the Justice Department this month concluded that there was no evidence to support a number of long-held conspiracy theories about his clients and 2019 death in prison. Attorney-General Pam Bondi had pledged months earlier to reveal major revelations about Epstein, including 'a lot of names' and 'a lot of flight logs.' Some Trump supporters have demanded the release of more information on Epstein, causing a rare fracture within his base of support. Trump has pushed back. 'It's all been a big hoax,' Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Wednesday, as calls increased for the release of more information on Epstein's clients. The Journal said the letter, bearing Trump's name, contains several lines of typewritten text framed by the outline of a naked woman, which appeared to be hand-drawn with a heavy marker. The newspaper said the letter concludes 'Happy Birthday – and may every day be another wonderful secret,' and featured the signature 'Donald.' Vice President JD Vance responded to the story on X, saying, 'Forgive my language but this story is complete and utter bullshit. The WSJ should be ashamed for publishing it.' Allegations that Epstein had been sexually abusing girls became public in 2006 - after the birthday book was compiled - and he was arrested that year before accepting a plea deal. Epstein died in 2019 in jail after he was arrested a second time and charged with sex-trafficking conspiracy.
