Millions of people around the globe fall victim to sexual assault every year, and the United States is no exception to this. There have been a number of high-profile sexual abuse or sexual assault scandals over the last few years, naming people across the board, from rappers to presidential candidates.
It is important to consult skilled lawyers for sexual abuse cases, as a lot is at stake, from the victim’s safety to the upholding of the law. Without solid evidence, these lawsuits can go sideways easily, which is why you need professional help.
Here are five cases of sexual assault that made the headlines in the US.
1. Larry Nassar
The first case on this list is the one against the famous Olympic sports doctor Larry Nassar. During the course of his career, he abused hundreds of gymnasts in the guise of treating their injuries. The case was brought by many former gymnasts and Olympic medal winners.
This case included the testimony of gymnast legend Simone Biles and ended with Nassar being sentenced to 60 years in prison, basically making it a life sentence. He pleaded guilty to the charges against him, and in the process of this case, the United States government and FBI have been accused of not investigating the allegations against him.
2. Bill Cosby
Another sexual assault case that made the headlines was the one against Bill Cosby, the actor and comedian. Many women came forward to accuse him of inappropriate conduct over the decades, but most were dismissed. The actor was convicted in 2018 for aggravated sexual assault against Andrea Constand.
Cosby was sentenced to 10 years in prison; however, he was released after 3 years due to a violation of due process. Another case was brought forward later on, and the victim was awarded damages; however, the former actor has not been in prison since.
3. Jeffrey Epstein
Perhaps one of the most famous cases of sexual assault was against Jeffrey Epstein, a high-profile financier. He was arrested on federal charges of sex trafficking of minors in 2019. However, he died in prison before he could stand trial. Epstein was previously charged in 2008 for soliciting a minor for prostitution and was registered as a sex offender.
He did not face a lengthy prison sentence and was released on probation. Following his arrest in 2019, his partner Ghislaine Maxwell was arrested on the charges of running a sex trafficking operation and sentenced to 20 years in prison.
4. Harvey Weinstein
This case started the MeToo movement and rocked Hollywood, questioning the ethicality of its practices.
Harvey Weinstein was a Hollywood mogul who was accused by multiple women of sexual assault and rape. He was convicted in 2020 on those charges and sentenced to 23 years in prison. This case was extensively covered by the media and ultimately led to some cultural shifts in the industry.
5. R. Kelly
The last case on this list is against the famous R&B singer, R. Kelly. He was accused multiple times of sexual misconduct over the years and was convicted in 2021 on federal charges. He was sentenced to 30 years in prison for trafficking minors and racketeering.
This case once again brought into question the practices in the entertainment industry and the safety of women who work there. This case also received extensive media coverage and has led to wider scrutiny of high-profile individuals.
Conclusion
There never seems to be an end to the number of women who have experienced sexual assault or other types of horrific crime, especially at the hands of famous or powerful individuals. The cases listed above are just a few that have made headlines across the country.
This brings into question the practices across the board, whether it be in government, the entertainment industry, or sports, and the need for women to be taken more seriously in the face of such crimes.
Lynn Martelli is an editor at Readability. She received her MFA in Creative Writing from Antioch University and has worked as an editor for over 10 years. Lynn has edited a wide variety of books, including fiction, non-fiction, memoirs, and more. In her free time, Lynn enjoys reading, writing, and spending time with her family and friends.
