Vatican clears retired US bishop of multiple abuse claims

ROME (AP) — The Vatican has cleared a retired U.S. bishop of multiple allegations he sexually abused minors and teenagers, rejecting lay experts' determination that a half-dozen claims were credible and instead slapping him on the wrist for what it called “flagrant" imprudent behavior. The...

Report: Students didn't report abuse due to lack of trust

KIRKWOOD, Mo. (AP) — Students at a suburban St. Louis school district where multiple sexual assault accusations have come to light through social media say they initially feared they would not be taken seriously or believed if they reported abuse. The Kirkwood school board heard a report Monday from...

Lawsuit: Priest raped boy on day of his sister's wedding

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. (AP) — A Catholic priest raped a 9-year-old altar boy on the day of his sister's wedding that the the priest officiated, according to a new lawsuit against the Roman Catholic Diocese of Bridgeport. The lawsuit, filed in Superior Court in Bridgeport, charges that the diocese knew or should...

Epstein's ex-girlfriend seeks dismissal of charges she faces

NEW YORK (AP) — A British socialite charged with recruiting teenage girls for financier Jeffrey Epstein to sexually abuse in the 1990s asked a judge Monday to dismiss the case on multiple grounds, including that a deal years ago not to prosecute Epstein and others should shield her from prosecution....

Brothers accuse prominent Chicago priest of sexual abuse

CHICAGO (AP) — Two brothers in their 60s on Monday described years of sexual abuse by a firebrand activist priest who has gained fame speaking out on national politics from the pulpit and for taking on drug dealers in South Side neighborhoods around his Chicago church. The abuse began in the 1970s when...

US Supreme Court won't hear rabbi's appeal of $22M case

HARTFORD, Conn. (AP) — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday declined to hear a Connecticut rabbi's appeal of a $21.7 million jury verdict in a lawsuit that accused him of sexually abusing a teenage boy. The court provided no comments in its decision to let stand a federal appeals court ruling last year that...

Pastor gets 15-year term for sexually assaulting 2 children

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (AP) — A pastor who sexually assaulted two children for several years has been sentenced to 15 years in state prison. Josue Rodriguez, 62, of Jersey City, will not be eligible for parole as part of the sentence handed down Thursday. He had pleaded guilty to aggravated sexual assault...

Israel extradites woman wanted for sex crimes to Australia

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israeli authorities on Monday extradited a former teacher accused of sexually abusing her former students in Australia, capping a six-year legal battle that had strained relations between the two governments and antagonized Australia's Jewish community. Malka Leifer, who is wanted on 74...

Abuse survivor Grace Tame named Australian of the Year

CANBERRA, Australia (AP) — A 26-year-old woman who pushed for legal changes so she could speak out about being a survivor of sexual abuse has been named Australian of the Year for her advocacy work on behalf of abuse survivors. Grace Tame was presented with the award at a ceremony in Canberra on Monday....

Israel extradites Malka Leifer, former teacher wanted on child sex abuse charges, to Australia after 6-year legal battle

JERUSALEM (AP) — Israel extradites Malka Leifer, former teacher wanted on child sex abuse charges, to Australia after 6-year legal battle.