The Real Face of Prostitution

Julie Bindel / Truthdig Jun 12, 2019 Johns have no problem justifying it, but women are heavily criminalized, despite evidence that many are coerced and exploited into it. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

Vatican Defrocks Former U.S. Cardinal Over Sex Abuse

FRANCES D'EMILIO and NICOLE WINFIELD / The Associated Press Feb 16, 2019 Theodore McCarrick, 88, is the highest-ranking Catholic churchman to be stripped of his religious title and the ability to celebrate Mass. Dig deeper ( 5 Min. Read )

Why Is a Major University Housing Priests Accused of Sex Abuse?

Emily Schwing, Aaron Sankin and Michael Corey / Reveal Dec 19, 2018 For decades, the Gonzaga campus served as a retirement community for disgraced Jesuits, an explosive new investigation reveals. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

Pope in Ireland Vows to End Cover-Up of Clergy Sex Abuse

NICOLE WINFIELD and MARIA GRAZIA MURRU / The Associated Press Aug 25, 2018 The Roman Catholic Church leader says he shares the outrage over the church's role in concealing the "repugnant crimes" and commits to end the "scourge." Victims say his words need to be backed by action. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Pope on Sex Abuse: We Showed No Care for the Children

Nicole Winfield / The Associated Press Aug 20, 2018 In a letter, the pontiff urges Catholics across the world to root out abuse and cover-ups. Dig deeper ( 4 Min. Read )

Pope to Gay Man: ‘God Made You Like This. God Loves You Like This.’

Emily Wells / Truthdig May 23, 2018 The remark by Francis may point to an ideological shift in the church regarding homosexuality. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

The Ties That Bind Sexual Assault, Gender and Capitalism

Harriet Fraad and Richard D. Wolff / AlterNet Dec 28, 2017 Sexual abuse isn't new, so why is it being called out so loudly now? The relationship among three major forces in modern societies may help explain. Dig deeper ( 13 Min. Read )

An Activist Hails Law Criminalizing Purchase of Sex in Ireland

By Rachel Moran Apr 6, 2017 The new legislation also sparks a sense of mourning for women who didn’t live to benefit from it. Dig deeper ( 8 Min. Read )

South America Has Become a Safe Haven for U.S. and European Priests Accused of Sexual Abuse

Roisin Davis / Truthdig Sep 18, 2015 Even as Pope Francis has sought to reform the Vatican’s safeguards against child abuse, a yearlong investigation reveals how the Catholic Church has allowed allegedly abusive priests to slip off to escape to parts of the world where they would face less scrutiny from prosecutors and the media. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

Bill Cosby Story Blows Up Again After Report About Court Case (Updated)

Kasia Anderson / Truthdig Jul 7, 2015 The fallout from a cascade of accusations in recent months about Bill Cosby’s alleged drug-enabled sexual assaults, which the veteran comic and his legal team had attempted to stem, became more serious this week. Dig deeper ( 3 Min. Read )

$10 Million Deal Settles 4 Catholic Sex Abuse Cases

Alexander Reed Kelly / Truthdig Mar 13, 2013 Four child abuse cases were settled as part of a $10 million deal while the man who helped protect the offender was in Rome helping elect God's next Catholic representative on earth. Dig deeper ( 2 Min. Read )

Study Blames Culture Shift for Catholic Clergy’s Sex Crimes

Staff / Truthdig May 18, 2011 A study conducted by the John Jay College of Criminal Justice examines the root causes of sexual abuse committed by members of the Catholic clergy, debunking celibacy and homosexuality as causes while glossing over the church's failure to humanely address the crisis. (more) Dig deeper ( 1 Min. Read )