Justice for Victims of Police Misconduct

Justice for Victims of Police Misconduct By: Tracie Burke | Motion to Quash LLC | November 18, 2020

Justice for Victims of Police Misconduct describes the seal of secrecy of sexual misconduct by police officers. 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.

Evidence of Police Sexual Misconduct

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 disclosures 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 some don’t report it,” 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. Sometimes, they wrongly categorize reports of abuse to diminish their severity and impact.

If that fails, Sheriff Lopinto and District Attorney Paul Connick take further action. During elections, they actively pursue a victim’s silence. They use 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.

Justice for Victims of Police Misconduct

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. 

Justice for Victims of Police Misconduct Legal Action

Here is a copy of the civil lawsuit. Warning, this graphic 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.

Justice for Victims of Police Misconduct- 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. 

CONTACT YOUR HOUSE REPRESENTATIVE:

Use the Directory of House of Representatives to contact your House Representatives. Easily 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 respectfully urge you to pass an amendment offering a civil remedy for victims of Police Sexual Violence in Louisiana. 

As an Advocate

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.

Remedies

I am eagerly waiting 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)

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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 for 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 supports whistleblowers. They help expose and prosecute corruption around the world. 

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