skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Monday, November 4, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump offers darkness, Harris offers optimism on election eve in America; Despite the hype, noncitizens aren't voting in Wisconsin; KY labor unions want the next administration to support the PRO Act; the future of public education is on the line in NH governor's race.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Trump escalates violent rhetoric against the press, Harris aims to reassure Michigan's Arab Americans angered by the war in Gaza, and a respected poll shows an unexpected lead for Harris in solidly red Iowa.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

A Cambodian poultry farmer who lost his livelihood could be a hero for others, rural Montanans are anxiously awaiting a court ruling over a climate lawsuit brought by young people, and Northeast states say more housing for working families could boost jobs.

Epstein Case Highlights Language Surrounding Child Sexual Abuse

play audio
Play

Wednesday, July 17, 2019   

BOISE, Idaho – In the wake of sex-trafficking charges against billionaire Jeffrey Epstein, media outlets are taking some heat for how they've described the alleged victims.

Dozens of news outlets have used the term "underage women" rather than "girls" despite the fact that some were as young as 14 when the alleged crimes were committed. Roger Sherman, executive director of the Idaho Children's Trust Fund, said this does a disservice to those who were harmed, and obscures the issue of child abuse in this case.

"The language makes us take a[n] arm's length from that concern that it's about children, and you think it's about adult women," he said, "and it's not. It's about children who can't give consent, who are not ready to have that kind of conversation and who should never be exposed to any of this."

Media outlets also have received criticism for using phrases such as "sex with a minor." Sherman said this appears to convey that consent was involved, when minors can't legally give consent. He said it also minimizes the exploitative and coercive nature of the alleged crimes.

When language puts stories such as this "at arm's length," Sherman said, it can put the issue of child sexual abuse and trafficking at a distance as well. Sex trafficking is hardly a remote problem, with cases occurring in Idaho every year. To approach these issues head-on, Sherman's organization and trainers across the state use the sexual-abuse prevention and recognition program known as Stewards of Children. He said one step the program stresses is that people have to talk about this.

"This is a crime that thrives in secrecy," he said, "and the more that we're willing to talk about it, the more that we're willing to keep it in the open, then it can be communicated and it can be dealt with."

Emphasizing its prevalence, Sherman added that one in 10 children nationwide is sexually abused before age 18. He said cases such as Epstein's could help raise parents' and caregivers' awareness of the threat of child sexual abuse.

More information about Stewards of Children is online at d2l.org.

Disclosure: Idaho Children's Trust Fund contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Early Childhood Education, Family/Father Issues, Youth Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


get more stories like this via email
more stories
The Ohio Organizing Collaborative registered nearly 160,000 new voters for the Nov. 5 election, which represents the largest grassroots voter registration program in the country. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

Ohio voters are facing significant challenges at the ballot box, with some groups expressing concerns over voter roll purges and gerrymandering …


Environment

play sound

As people head to the polls tomorrow, groups are working to ensure Georgia's Black and brown communities understand the energy saving benefits of the …

Social Issues

play sound

North Carolina lacks laws mandating time off for employees to vote, making it hard for workers who juggle demanding schedules and civic …


The Internet Crime Complaint Center is the central hub for reporting cyber-enabled crime. It is run by the FBI, the lead federal agency investigating crime. (Anete Lusina/Pexels)

Social Issues

play sound

Online scams are growing in scale and sophistication, affecting millions and creating economic losses estimated at $1 trillion globally in 2023…

Social Issues

play sound

Temperatures are dropping in the Commonwealth and community action agencies said help is available for those struggling to pay their heating bills…

New Hampshire families whose incomes fall under 350% of the federal poverty level - anything under $109,200 for a family of four - are eligible for the private school voucher program. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

In the race for New Hampshire governor, the future of public education is on the line. Democrat and former Manchester Mayor Joyce Craig opposes …

Environment

play sound

On this year's California ballot, Proposition 4 has not received much attention but it could have a huge effect on the Golden State. The $10 billion …

Social Issues

play sound

Early voter turnout in Wyoming has been high leading up to Election Day, and a survey shows most think local vote counting will be reliable. …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021