Recently in Rape / Sexual Assault Category

The television crime show Law & Order often uses stories “ripped from the headlines,” but the accusations against 61-year-old third-grade teacher Mark Berndt may be too gruesome for even the boundary-pushing show.

Berndt is under arrest on suspicion of committing disgusting acts on his students, such as spooning them his semen and placing large cockroaches on their faces, reports the Los Angeles Times.

So you think you can rape and get away with it? Think again.

Alex Da Silva, one of the choreographers for the FOX television show “So You Think You Can Dance,” was sentenced to 10 years in prison for rape and assault with intent to commit rape on Friday, reports KTLA News.

The sentence stems from Da Silva’s convictions connected with the rape of a 22-year-old woman in 2002 and the attempted rape of a 25-year-old woman in August 2009. Both were either dancers or aspiring dancers who allegedly met Da Silva in his dance classes.

A month after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly one in five American women has been raped at least once, the Department of Justice has significantly expanded the definition of sexual assault.

The new definition will now include several forms of sexual assault, such as oral penetration, and male rape, according to The Washington Post.

The antiquated definition of sexual assault referred only to the "carnal knowledge of a female, forcibly and against her will," according to The Post.

A 19-year-old Santa Clarita resident is accused of having sex with at least 14 minor girls he met on Facebook, reports KTLA News.

Michael Downs was arrested on Dec. 15 and his bail was set at $1.8 million. He was charged with 29 counts of sexual assault of a minor.

Under California law, unlawful sex with a minor can be charged as either a misdemeanor or a felony and is punishable by a maximum of four years in prison if convicted of the felony charge. In addition, the adult may be liable for civil penalties up to a maximum of $25,000 for unlawful sex with a minor under the age of 16.

In a sobering study released on Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that nearly one in five American women has been raped at least once and one in four has been severely attacked by an intimate partner, reports KTLA News.

If true, the startling statistic means that rape affects almost every family in America.

The survey, which is reportedly the first of its kind, questioned 18,049 men and women in 2010. It also found that almost 80 percent of female victims were first raped before the age of 25. In addition, more than half were committed by a current or former partner, and one in eight female victims were raped by a family member.

County officials announced on Tuesday that five registered sex offenders were arrested during "Operation Safe Halloween," a Halloween sweep intended to keep children safe, reports CBS Los Angeles.

The four-day operation was conducted by 40 probation officers who visited 251 homes of registered sex offenders to check if they were violating their probation. Registered sex offenders in Los Angeles County are prohibited from putting up Halloween decorations or otherwise enticing children to come to their homes. Officers found 229 probationers at home.

The emerging details of sexual abuse possibly perpetrated by Penn State employee Jerry Sandusky on young boys are horrific, but they may also have saved two Glendale boys from the same fate.

After their mother discussed a news story about the Sandusky child molestation investigation with her eldest son, he reportedly told his mother that their babysitter had sexually assaulted the two, reports the Pasadena Star-News.

One of the most iconic coaches in gymnastics has been banned for life from the sport he helped build because of sex abuse allegations, reports The Orange County Register. However, he will not be criminally charged for the sex crimes because it took too long to press charges.

Don Peters was the coach of the record-setting 1984 U.S. Olympic women’s gymnastics team. Since then, he has worked with Olympians and national champions at a gymnastics gym. He has also allegedly been sexually abusing young gymnasts at the same time.

A 43-year-old Fountain Valley mom is accused of having underage sex with her son’s 12-year-old friend, reports The Orange County Register.

Patricia Ann Serrano is facing three felony counts of lewd acts on a child under 14 with a sentencing enhancement for substantial sexual conduct with a child, according to officials from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office and the Fountain Valley Police Department. Authorities believe she had sex with the boy twice - once in a car and once in her home. She faces up to 12 years in prison if convicted of all charges, according to The Register.

A Laguna Niguel hockey mom was arrested last Wednesday on suspicion of having unlawful sex and committing lewd acts with two of her son’s underage friends, reports The Orange County Register. Police suspect there may also be a third victim.

All of the boys are alleged to have been Beach City Lightning hockey teammates of Katia Maria Davis’ son. Authorities began investigating Davis after one of the boys informed his mother of the unlawful sex acts that had begun when he was under 16 years of age. The acts reportedly continued for a year and a half, according to the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. During the investigation, another victim, who is currently under 18, also came forward. The lewd acts against him allegedly began about six years ago.