A Southern Illinois woman will spend at least 63 years behind bars after pleading guilty to two counts of sexual assault. Andrea S. Leisgang, 38, of Bethalto, admitted to abusing the children, ages 10 and 13, between March of 2016 and October of 2018. Leisgang was...
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Sexual abuse victims to receive $34 million from Minnesota Diocese
Sexual abuse survivors in the Catholic church received a win in a recent lawsuit against the Diocese of New Ulm, Minnesota. The court approved a settlement giving nearly 100 survivors $34 million in restitution. The survivors reported abuse by priests and...
4 life-limiting consequences of an amputation
Motor vehicle accidents are common occurrences on roadways in Illinois. In fact, according to state data, there has been an average of more than 300,000 crashes in the Land of Lincoln in recent years. While most car accidents are minor, many others are quite serious. ...
Catholic charity founder accused of sexually abusing women
An esteemed Catholic figure who sought to improve conditions for the developmentally disabled is now accused of sexually abusing six women during the half-century he ran a France-based charity. A report produced for the charity, L’Arche International, says...
Illinois removes time limit for pressing charges for sex crimes
Sexual assault and abuse can result in years of trauma, fear and uncertainty. Each victim processes the life-altering aftermath differently. Some feel ready to press charges right away, while others may take years to cope and heal before they even consider pressing...
Deaths caused by red-light runners at a 10-year high
Traffic lights are in place to help monitor the flow of traffic and prevent drivers from colliding with one another in busy areas. However, a new analysis from the AAA Foundation reveals that the number of Americans dying at signaled intersections because of other...
Boy Scouts file for bankruptcy after onslaught of abuse claims
The Boy Scouts of America (BSA) filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in February as lawsuits over sexual abuse continue to climb. The move comes while the BSA continues to lose members as well as experience a surge in sexual abuse lawsuits after several states...
Dissociation as a coping mechanism in sexual abuse victims
Sexual abuse victims experience post-traumatic stress throughout their lives. For many, these experiences are heavy with confusion and their natural impulse is to dissociate. Dissociation is a separation that individuals experience in their state of being; a person’s...
The featherweight burden of proof and other FELA provisions
As a railroad worker who sustained an injury on the job, you will want to learn about FELA and how this federal act may assist you in receiving compensation. One of the FELA provisions speaks to the “featherweight” burden of proof. How does this apply when you are...
Rules for civil suits may not stay in step with criminal counts
Sexual assault is a serious matter, and victims deserve to have their day in court. Recent legislation has changed the way the state approaches the criminal process, but the rules differ in civil cases. Someone in the U.S. is sexually assaulted every 73 seconds,...