The IRE Resource Center is a major research library containing more than 23,250 investigative stories — both print and broadcast. These stories are searchable online or by contacting the Resource Center directly (573-882-3364 or rescntr@ire.org) where a researcher can help you pinpoint what you need. Browse or search the tipsheet section of our library below. Stories are not available for download but can be easily ordered by contacting the Resource Center:
Search results for "sexual assault" ...
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Assault victim's tweets prompt contempt case
For 17-year-old Savannah Dietrich, it was like being victimized twice – first by the two boys who sexually assaulted her while she was passed out and then sent photos of the assault to their friends; secondly, by a secretive juvenile justice system that appeared more interested in protecting her attackers than her. Frustrated by what she felt was a lenient plea bargain for her two attackers, Savannah lashed out on Twitter – despite a judge’s warning that no one should talk about the incident because the case was in juvenile court. "There you go, lock me up," Savannah tweeted, as she named the boys who she said sexually assaulted her. "I'm not protecting anyone that made my life a living Hell." Though threatened with contempt of court, Savannah refusal to stay quiet, and her decision to talk publicly to Courier-Journal reporter Jason Riley resulted in a series of stories that drew national attention and helped pry the lid off Kentucky’s secretive juvenile courts – potentially opening more cases in the future to ensure justice is done.
Tags: Sexual assults; juvenile justice system; juvenile court; Twitter
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Behind the Gates of the Guard
“Sexual harassment and hostile work environment is commonplace in the CANG (California Air National Guard).” That information uncovered in a previously unreported document was exposed in a joint investigation by NBC Bay Area and KNBC-TV. During a more than five-month investigation, journalists from the two television stations interviewed more than two dozen current and former members of the guard and uncovered a dark hidden culture “Behind the Gates of the Guard.” The reporting found the California National Guard failing to meet the National Guard standard and accepting, investigating and handling complaints involving sexual harassment, sexual assaults and racism. This investigation uncovered instances where sexual harassment, racism and sexual assault was not properly investigated by the California Guard.
Tags: national guard; sexual harrassment; CANG; collaboration; broadcast
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Broken Shield
Decades ago, California created a special police force to patrol exclusively at its five state developmental centers – taxpayer-funded institutions where patients with severe autism and cerebral palsy have been beaten, tortured and raped by staff members. But California Watch found that this state force, the Office of Protective Services, does an abysmal job bringing perpetrators to justice. Reporter Ryan Gabrielson, a Pulitzer Prize winner, exposed the depths of the abuse inside these developmental centers while showing how sworn officers and detectives wait too long to start investigations, fail to collect evidence and ignore key witnesses – leading to an alarming inability to solve crimes inflicted upon some of society’s most vulnerable citizens. Dozens of women were sexually assaulted inside state centers, but police investigators didn’t order “rape kits” to collect evidence, a standard law enforcement tool. Police waited so long to investigate one sexual assault that the staff janitor accused of rape fled the country, leaving behind a pregnant patient incapable of caring for a child. The police force’s inaction also allowed abusive caregivers to continue molesting patients – even after the department had evidence that could have stopped future assaults. Many of the victims chronicled by California Watch are so disabled they cannot utter a word. Gabrielson gave them a resounding voice. Our Broken Shield series prompted far-reaching change, including a criminal investigation, staff retraining and new laws – all intended to bring greater safeguards and accountability.
Tags: California; police; autism; cerebral palsy; abuse; children
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Both Sides of the Law
At least 93 Milwaukee police officers have been disciplined for violating laws and ordinances they were sworn to uphold. The offenses range from sexual assault and domestic violence to drunken driving and shoplifting. Officers who run afoul of the law often aren't fired or prosecuted, and they are allowed to continue enforcing laws the very laws they have broken.
Tags: police misconduct; police department; discipline; law enforcment
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Spousal Support
In November 2011, the KGTV 10News I-Team revealed a questionable legal loophole that forced sexual assault victims to pay support to their attackers. Within five weeks of our initial reporting, lawmakers took action, drafting legislation and pushing for a change. Our series features Crystal Harris, who was sexually assaulted by her ex-husband. While he sits in prison for the crime, a state judge has ordered Crystal to pay spousal support. Crystal Harris earns more money than her ex-husband.
Tags: broadcast; spousal support; sexual assault
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Wrongfully Convicted
The stories of Levon Brooks and Kennedy Brewer, two Mississippi men who spent a combined 30 years in prison wrongfully charged with sexually assaulting and killing two 3-year old girls. The were exonerated through DNA evidence in 2008.
Tags: DNA; sex crime; wrongful conviction; murder; exoneration;
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Abuse of the Badge?
A Sheriff's Deputy has long been accused of sexual assault, coercion, manipulation and extortion but there was never enough evidence to back up the claims. This series compiles months of background investigation, interviews with other members of law enforcement and testimony from multiple alleged victims.
Tags: sexual assault; extortion; police; coercion; Alabama Bureau of Investigation; badge
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Campus Sexual Assaults: Few Tough Sanctions Imposed
Using data from the Department of Justice, the story examined how perpetrators of sexual assault on college campuses were punished if found guilty. The authors found that the majority of schools were not issuing tough sanctions against these perpetrators.
Tags: sexual assault; rape; campus; college; Department of Justice on Violence Against Women
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Rape on the Reservation
One in three Native American women in the United States will be raped in their lifetimes. The perpetrators who commit crimes of sexual assault do so without fear of punishment because those responsible are rarely brought to justice.
Tags: sexual assault; rape; Indian; Native American; reservation
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Sexual Assault on Campus: A Frustrating Search for Justice
As part of a collaborative effort with the Investigative News Network, the Center for Public Integrity finds that students responsible for sexual assault on college campuses often receive no punishment, yet their victims' lives are turned upside down. Even when the perpetrator is a repeat offender, college judicial systems rarely expel the student.
Tags: sexual assault; rape; victim; perpetrator; sex crime; rapist; rape victim; rape on campus; rape in college