By: Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash LLC | November 18, 2020
The seal of secrecy about sexual misconduct by police officers is a serious obstacle. It hinders the control of police sexual violence in Louisiana. This issue also affects achieving police accountability.
As more efforts to handle sexual abuse by law enforcement in Louisiana are revealed, victims are still seeking justice. They suffered police sexual violence, specifically in Jefferson Parish.
Motion to Quash LLC obtained evidence of police sexual misconduct across Louisiana. Sheriff Joe Lopinto and District Attorney Paul Connick improperly investigated reports of police sexual violence. This violence occurred and continues to occur by law enforcement and employees of Jefferson Parish. “Some high ranking members in law enforcement across Louisiana are using hidden cameras during intercourse without the person’s knowledge. They do this sometimes while on duty. Then the officers share the videos with others,” according to the disclosure obtained by Motion to Quash LLC.
“Survivors of police sexual violence are unique in their situation. They must report the assault to the same people who committed it. That’s the main reason they’re not reported,” one victim told Motion to Quash LLC.
The Sheriff and the DA are reluctant to take reports or complaints of police sexual violence. They often try to dissuade victims from making them. They even wrongly categorize reports of abuse to diminish their severity and impact.
If that fails, Sheriff Lopinto and District Attorney Paul Connick take further action. They have been known to actively pursue a victim’s silence. They achieve this through direct threats and intimidation.
One victim in Jefferson Parish told Motion to Quash LLC about her experience. She was “given the run around” by internal affairs officers. They intimidated and discouraged her from making the report. Instead, they gave her a battered women’s brochure. They told her to call the hot line on the brochure for support.
One of the perpetrators was recently convicted of second degree rape. He is in jail awaiting trial for first degree rape. These rapes would have been prevented if Jefferson Parish had honored victims requests for charges.
Motion to Quash LLC takes action against police sexual violence. They help victims in Jefferson Parish file lawsuits. But, there are no civil provisions yet for the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Urge congress this session to pass a bill that allows civil provisions under PREA. Now is the time for action. We urge Congress to pass an amendment that provides a civil remedy. This remedy is for victims of Police Sexual Violence in Louisiana.
Here is a copy of the victim’s lawsuit for damages. Warning, this content is distressing for victims of sexual assault.
Plaintiff-V-Jefferson-Parish-Sheriff-Lopinto-DA-Paul-Connick-petition-for-damages
“In October 2020, defendant [name redacted] was an employee of the Jefferson Parish District Attorney’s Office. The defendant sexually harassed the plaintiff via text message. Without warning or provocation, the defendant transmitted unsolicited photos of his own genitalia to the plaintiff. This hostile act by the defendant caused the plaintiff extreme emotional distress,” the lawsuit alleges
PREA
The law says there is no consensual sex under the Prison Rape Elimination Act. This is due to the power imbalance. This situation clearly demands pressing and serious attention. We need to pass bills that promote civil provisions for victims of the Prison Rape Elimination Act.
YOUR VOICE BE HEARD:
Advocate for Civil Provisions for the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Send a message to your Congress members. Ask them to take concrete action to offer civil remedies for PREA victims in Louisiana.
WAYS TO CONTACT YOUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE:
Click Directory of House of Representatives to contact your House Representatives. Send a message using the contact information and forms provided through this link.
EMAIL OR SAMPLE LETTER FOR CONTACTING YOUR MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
Feel free to copy and paste the letter below into the message field of any contact form. You can also use it in the body of emails to your House Representatives. Enter the name of your representative at the start of the message. Sign your name at the end. Consider adding your own personal anecdote or observation to the messages you send.
Dear Member of Congress [Name]:
As your constituent, I am writing today to ask for your support of Civil Provisions for Victims of PREA. I am sure that every day you have a multitude of bills crossing your desk. Still, I ask you to pay specific attention to those related to law enforcement. These bills promote civil provisions for PREA victims in Louisiana. There have been efforts to give remedies for victims of police sexual violence in criminal court. Yet, there are no provisions for victims of police sexual violence in civil court. Clearly, this situation demands pressing and serious attention, including passing bills promoting civil provisions for the Prison Rape Elimination Act. Now is the time for action. I urge you to get an amendment passed. This amendment should offer a civil remedy for victims of Police Sexual Violence in Louisiana.
I support Motion to Quash LLC, a non-partisan online publication. It is dedicated to advocating for civil remedies under PREA and raising awareness of the Prison Rape Elimination Act. I urge you to protect the integrity of PREA by supporting legislation on its behalf this session.
I am eager to hear from you. Please share the positive steps you are taking to advance civil remedies for victims of police sexual violence. This is crucial for both the immediate and long-term future.
Sincerely,
[Insert Your Name]
[District or State]
[Contact Information] (if you wish/want a reply)
Recognized by the National Whistleblower Center (NWC), Tracie Burke is Louisiana author of motiontoquash.org. She can be reached at tracie@motiontoquash.org. Motion to Quash LLC successfully promoted legislation. This legislation supports the Anti-Money Laundering Act of 2020. It also includes amendments to the Whistleblower Protection Act. Please Support journalism in the public interest by contributing today. Click here to donate Motion to Quash ISSN 2644-1594 is the copyrighted property of Motion to Quash LLC 2019. NWC’s mission is to support whistleblowers. They help in their efforts to expose and help prosecute corruption. They also aid in addressing other wrongdoing around the world.
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