Latest news with #zerotolerance
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Pope meets with child protection advisory board amid survivor calls for zero tolerance on abuse
VATICAN CITY (AP) — Pope Leo XIV met with members of the Vatican's child protection advisory commission on Thursday for the first time amid questions about his past handling of clergy sex abuse cases and demands from survivors that he enact a true policy of zero tolerance for abuse across the Catholic Church. The Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, which is made up of religious and lay experts in fighting abuse as well as survivors, called the hourlong audience a 'significant moment of reflection, dialogue, and renewal of the church's unwavering commitment to the safeguarding of children and vulnerable people.' The group said it updated history's first American pope on its activities, including an initiative to help church communities in poorer parts of the world prevent abuse and care for victims. The Vatican did not provide the text of Leo's remarks or make the audio of the audience available to reporters. Pope Francis created the commission early on in his pontificate to advise the church on best practices and placed a trusted official, Boston's then-archbishop, Cardinal Sean O'Malley, in charge. But as the abuse scandal spread globally during Francis' 12-year pontificate, the commission lost its influence its crowning recommendation — the creation of a tribunal to judge bishops who covered up for predator priests — went nowhere. After many years of reform and new members, it has become a place where victims can go to be heard and bishops can get advice on crafting guidelines to fight abuse. O'Malley turned 80 last year and retired as archbishop of Boston, but he remains president of the commission and headed the delegation meeting with Leo in the Apostolic Palace. It has often fallen to O'Malley to speak out on egregious cases that have arrived at the Vatican, including one that remains on Leo's desk: The fate of the ex-Jesuit artist, the Rev. Marko Rupnik, who has been accused by two dozen women of sexual, psychological and spiritual abuse over decades. After coming under criticism that a fellow Jesuit had apparently received preferential treatment, Francis in 2023 ordered the Vatican to waive the statute of limitations on the case and prosecute him canonically. But as recently as March, the Vatican still hadn't found judges to open the trial. Meanwhile, the victims are still waiting for justice and Rupnik continues to minister, with his supporters defending him and denouncing a 'media lynching' campaign against him. Leo, the Chicago-born former Cardinal Robert Prevost, has been credited by victims of helping to dismantle an abusive Catholic movement in Peru, where he served as bishop for many years. But other survivors have asked him to account for other cases while he was a superior in the Augustinian religious order, bishop in Peru and head of the Vatican's bishops' office. The main U.S. survivor group, SNAP, has also called for Leo to adopt the U.S. policy calling for any priest who has been credibly accused of abuse to be permanently removed from ministry. ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
BBC News
5 days ago
- Health
- BBC News
Hospitality workers experiencing 'horrendous harassment'
Hospitality workers have described harassment in the industry as "horrendous".It comes as a union has called for zero tolerance towards workplace harassment and free transport home for late shift the union has described sexual comments, unwanted advancements and degrading situations for secretary for Unite Hospitality Nathan Young said it was important for hospitality workers to say "no more". Mr Young, who has worked in the sector for a decade, in cafes and fast-food outlets, said: "Some of these issues have been endemic and have been endemic in the industry for a very long time. "There hasn't been change. People come into the industry often young, often not really sure of their rights."The issues that I see now are the same issues that there were years ago. Even with larger societal changes around feminist issues or social issues, that kind of thing." Mr Young said many young people begin working in hospitality, where they encounter bad experiences from customers and management. He said a number of issues have been raised by workers."It could be anything from making sexual comments repeatedly, making advances to people who have rejected people multiple times," he said. "There was one workplace we had where some of the chefs were keeping a list of most 'rapable' front of house staff."So it goes from some pretty mild stuff to some really, really horrendous stuff."Mr Young added: "Management's attitude is very often, 'comments were made outside at a work party so it doesn't concern that us', or 'they're good for the company', or 'we'll have a look into that', or 'you can't really prove that happened on work time'. "It's things that in any other industry you'd hope would be would be stamped out pretty quickly." 'Duty of care' Fellow Unite member Ross Lopes-Lister said the union is calling for changes to licensing laws to include a responsibility to ensure night-time economy workers get home safely."We think it should be the employers responsibility and part of the licensing laws, that it's their duty of care, that they ensure that their workers get home safe," he said."This is the start of something bigger. There needs to be a cultural change, yes there needs to be a change within society that this sort of behaviour goes on full stop - but we have to start somewhere." Eva Martin from Rosa, a socialist feminist organisation, has previously worked in hospitality."This conversation is long overdue," she said."It is very much a spectrum, it can range from comments to unwanted physical touch and that can be from both customers and colleagues and I think the realities of power dynamics that exist in hospitality - that's a huge issue that we need to tackle."Often most hospitality workers will have personal stories of having experienced abuse, or just unacceptable behaviour from customers. "Things that might be deemed throwaway comments but are acutely unacceptable and are rooted in sexism or misogyny or racism or transphobia, whatever it may be." Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said the union was "calling time" on harassment and would not accept workers being abused or "forced to walk home in fear". Neil Moore, lead regional officer for hospitality workers, said the union wanted to free transport made a condition of every new liquor and entertainment licence.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Yahoo
This California city is taking a 'zero-tolerance' approach to illegal street vendors
The Brief Huntington Beach police and code enforcement are enforcing a zero-tolerance policy against illegal sidewalk vending. A valid city permit is required for all vendors, and unpermitted selling can result in fines up to $1,000. Vending is strictly prohibited on the beach, pier, and surrounding beach areas, even with a permit. HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. - The City of Huntington Beach is cracking down on illegal street and sidewalk vending on its beaches and other public spaces by adopting a "zero-tolerance" approach. Here's what you need to know. What we know According to authorities, street vendors are barred from selling everything - including cut fruit and drinks to beach chairs and other merchandise - without a permit in popular areas. These areas include the beach, Pier Plaza, Pier, beach parking lot, beach service road, Pacific Coast Highway, and downtown Huntington Beach, especially in areas designated for permitted events. You can see a full list of prohibited areas here. SUGGESTED: Pregnant food cart vendor shoved to ground by Simi Valley resident Even people with sidewalk vendor permits are not allowed, police said. "Vendors cannot provide or sell any service to any person, including the renting of merchandise to customers," police wrote in a statement on their Facebook page. The backstory The heightened enforcement is part of the city's effort to maintain safety and order along the coastline and in public areas. SUGGESTED: Oxnard taco stand worker severely injured after Metrolink train, big rig collide In 2018, California decriminalized sidewalk vending with the passing of the Safe Sidewalk Vending Act. However, local jurisdictions retain the final say on street vending regulations. What's next According to the city, Code Enforcement officers will begin patrols in June in the aforementioned areas. SUGGESTED: Long Beach offers free food carts for eligible vendors Fines of up to $1,000 will be issued to offenders, but the city said officers will first "educate and ask for voluntary cooperation before issuing citations." The Source Information for this story is from the Huntington Beach Police Department and previous FOX 11 reports.
BBC News
23-05-2025
- BBC News
Suffolk Police vows 'zero tolerance' around illegal e-bikes
A police force has pledged to take a "zero tolerance" approach towards illegally modified electric bikes, which officers say endanger the lives of Police said it was cracking down on the use of the souped-up bikes that had been increasingly spotted whizzing around at high speeds in town bikes must meet certain criteria or they become classed as motorcycles or mopeds, meaning they must be registered, taxed and insured to be considered asked if modified bikes could seriously harm or even kill someone, PC Matthew Dilks, who has been leading the police's e-bike awareness campaign, said: "Absolutely." "These more powerful bikes are going at increased speeds and they also weigh significantly more than a normal bike," he added."Thankfully, we've not had any serious injuries to anybody, but that is a good enough reason to make sure that never happens and we get these bikes off of the roads."It's all in the interests of keeping people safe." Mr Dilks was talking to the BBC after a patrol through Ipswich town centre, which resulted in the seizure of "the most illegal" e-bike so far from a young assured the officer "it was not fast", and when asked by the BBC if he believed it could pose a danger to members of the public he said: "No."However, upon inspection it was found to be kitted out with a 1,000 watt motor, which is four times the 250 watts allowed, and a top speed of 28km/h (17.4mph) when the legal limit is 25km/h (15.5mph)."If an electric bike does not meet the standards then they are technically classed as motorcycles," said Mr Dilks."They therefore need to be insured and registered and the rider needs to wear a crash helmet."You can have a normal mountain bike that has had a battery and a motor retrofitted to it that is completely illegal because it is too powerful and goes too fast." The force's official crackdown and awareness campaign comes after concerns were raised by members of the public and local then, the likes of Mr Dilks and PC Lewis Finch have engaged with shoppers and businesses, and educated e-bike riders on what is legal and what is the last week alone they have confiscated six riders claimed to be unaware they were riding an illegally modified bike – but that was no excuse, said the officers. "Just like vehicle drivers, some people take responsibility and some buy these bikes without double checking and making sure they are legal," said Mr Finch."As always there are some people who are honestly going about their day and some who are consciously not following the rules."Either way it is important for us to educate, make sure we are strict, and have a zero tolerance approach to make sure members of the public are kept safe." What makes an e-bike illegal? The government has set out rules to help riders class their the bike meets the following specifications, then tax, insurance and a driving licence will be needed:Can be propelled at more than 15.5mph (25km/h) by the motorHas a continuous rated power output higher than 250 wattsDoes not have pedals that can propel it Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
CNA
16-05-2025
- Politics
- CNA
Singapore must be discerning about foreign agenda on drugs: Shanmugam
Law and Home Affairs Minister K Shanmugam said Singapore must be discerning about international entities that are pushing for drug legalisation. He said Singapore maintains a zero-tolerance stance on drugs and the country must decide if such agendas are in its best interests. Speaking on the annual Drug Victims Remembrance Day, Mr Shanmugam said it is also concerning that drug abusers in Singapore are getting younger. Chloe Teo reports.
