Diddy verdict sparks conversation on victim blaming and sex trafficking

The jury acquitted Sean “Diddy” Combs of major charges, raising the need for victim support and education. WILKES-BARRE, Pa. — At the Victims Resource Center in Wilkes-Barre, the mission is clear: provide daily support and services to victims of crime, particularly those impacted by sexual assault and sex trafficking. In light of the recent verdict … Read more

David Ruiz, man accused of killing Las Palapas founder, extradited back to Bexar County

Ruiz is behind bars on a $250,000 bond after being arrested in Kimble County on Tuesday. Officials said he’s on suicide watch. SAN ANTONIO — The 39-year-old California man accused of killing Edward Ronald Acosta, the Las Palapas restaurant chain founder, was brought to the Bexar County Jail to be booked Thursday evening.  David Ruiz … Read more

Texas lawmakers update sexual assault laws, allowing more survivors to pursue justice

After three sessions, Texas lawmakers passed a bill last month that defines consent and fixes what advocates called a loophole in Texas sexual assault laws. THE TEXAS TRIBUNE – At 4 a.m. on the Saturday before this year’s Austin marathon, Summer Willis began crawling. For the next 22 hours, she stayed on her hands and … Read more

‘Blatantly unconstitutional in several ways’ | Civil liberty groups, Texas families file lawsuit challenging Senate Bill 10

The new lawsuit argues Senate Bill 10 violates the First Amendment’s protections for the separation of church and state and the right to free religious exercise. AUSTIN, Texas — Civil liberty groups and several families filed a federal lawsuit on Wednesday to challenge a new state law in Texas that requires the Ten Commandments to be … Read more