All articles tagged with #survivor advocacy
Elizabeth Smart won top honors in multiple divisions at the Wasatch Warrior bodybuilding event in Salt Lake City, including first in the novice division and high placements in Masters 35+ and Class D, saying bodybuilding helps her reclaim power after trauma and celebrate her body while continuing advocacy as a survivor.
Elizabeth Smart shared a photo from a recent bodybuilding competition, saying she is proud of her body and encouraging others to try new things; she notes overcoming fear of judgment and continues her survivor advocacy through the Elizabeth Smart Foundation.
Elizabeth Smart shared a photo from a recent bodybuilding competition, saying she’s proud of her body and encouraging others to try new things; she reflects on how her journey as a survivor and advocate shaped her to embrace new experiences and live life to the fullest.
Elizabeth Smart revealed on Instagram that she competed in a bodybuilding show, sharing a stage photo in a bikini and heels. She says bodybuilding has been physically and mentally empowering, helping her celebrate her body after trauma, and pushed her to pursue new experiences despite fears of judgment as she continues her advocacy; the coverage coincides with attention to the upcoming Netflix documentary Kidnapped: Elizabeth Smart in 2025.
Columbia University sanctioned two dental college officials after DOJ documents showed they helped Jeffrey Epstein’s girlfriend secure admission through an irregular process; the university cut ties with Dr. Thomas Magnani and stripped Dr. Letty Moss-Salentijn of administrative duties, and will donate $210,000 in Epstein-related gifts to nonprofits assisting abuse survivors, underscoring the broader fallout from Epstein’s activities tied to the school.
Gisèle Pelicot says she was drugged and raped by her husband, who filmed the assaults by dozens of men; after the 2020 discovery and a 2024 trial, she published a memoir and chose to testify publicly, sparking a French feminist push to change consent laws.
Actress Mariska Hargitay opens up about being raped by a friend in her 30s, revealing her struggle to process the trauma and the emotional toll it took on her. She shares her empathy for the part of her that coped by removing the incident from her narrative and discusses her advocacy for survivors of sexual assault through the Joyful Heart Foundation. Hargitay seeks legal reform to address sexual violence and desires an acknowledgment and apology from her attacker, expressing a sense of renewal and compassion as she continues to work through her experience.
Clergy abuse survivors have proposed a new church law calling for the permanent removal of abusive priests and superiors who covered for them, following outrage over Pope Francis' appointment of Cardinal Victor Fernández to head the Vatican office that investigates sex crimes. The survivors, part of the global advocacy group End Clergy Abuse, unveiled the draft law and are seeking to draw attention to the ongoing scandal in the Catholic Church and the failure of Francis and the hierarchy to fulfill their promises of "zero tolerance" for abuse. Fernández has faced criticism for his handling of abuse cases in Argentina, including refusing to promptly remove a priest accused of abusing teens. The proposed law calls for the dismissal of priests who commit sexual offenses against minors or vulnerable adults and the removal of bishops or religious superiors who fail to report sex crimes to law enforcement.
The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of San Francisco has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in order to address over 500 lawsuits related to child sexual abuse. The archdiocese claims that bankruptcy is the best solution for compensating survivors, as it lacks the financial means and practical ability to litigate each case individually. However, victim advocates argue that this move denies justice and transparency for survivors and allows the archdiocese to keep its secrets and wealth. The bankruptcy filing would freeze legal actions against the archdiocese while it restructures its finances, but it would not affect the independently managed parishes and schools. This follows similar bankruptcy filings by other dioceses in California and across the United States.