News, 2/20/26

[Angeline Binick]

I.     GLOBAL NEWS

II.    REGIONAL NEWS

III.   POLICY / LEGISLATION

IV.   SEX TRAFFICKING

V.    SEXUAL ABUSE BY PROFESSIONALS

VI.   ONLINE ABUSE

VII.  CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIALS

VIII. ARTS & CULTURE

IX.   CASE STORIES

 

 

 

 

 

GLOBAL NEWS

UK: Rape investigation wait time reduced by 40% in West Yorkshire
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cde42wdy2nko

REGIONAL NEWS

Man charged in Lancaster after alleged sexual abuse of minors, waives preliminary hearings
https://local21news.com/news/local/man-charged-in-lancaster-after-alleged-sexual-abuse-of-minors-waives-preliminary-hearings-carlos-jimenez-venegas-rape-crime-arrest-court-pa-pennsylvania

POLICY / LEGISLATION

South Dakota: Child marriage bill moves on with amendment
https://www.keloland.com/keloland-com-original/child-marriage-bill-moves-on-with-amendment/

Missouri: Bill would eliminate statute of limitations for sex abuse civil suits
https://fox2now.com/news/missouri/bill-would-eliminate-statute-of-limitations-for-sex-abuse-civil-suits/

Washington: Legislators promise support for survivors of gender-based violence
https://www.auburn-reporter.com/2026/02/20/legislators-promise-support-for-survivors-of-gender-based-violence/

SEX TRAFFICKING

After a Super Bowl sex trafficking crackdown, NorCal authorities gear up for the World Cup
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2026-02-19/santa-clara-authorities-target-sex-trafficking-ahead-of-world-cup

How Epstein and Maxwell used an elite Midwest arts school to prey on girls

https://www.npr.org/2026/02/19/nx-s1-5707290/epstein-files-victims-interlochen-ghislaine-maxwell

Epstein estate agrees to $35 million settlement in victim class action
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/epstein-estate-agrees-35-million-settlement-victim-class-action-2026-02-20/

King Charles' brother Andrew released after arrest over misconduct relating to Epstein
https://www.reuters.com/world/uk/uk-police-arrive-home-king-charles-brother-andrew-telegraph-reports-2026-02-19/

Police search former Prince Andrew's home a day after his arrest over Epstein ties

https://www.npr.org/2026/02/20/g-s1-110915/uk-former-prince-andrew-epstein-investigation

Epstein accuser's brother hopes former Prince Andrew's arrest signals 'house of cards' collapsing
https://www.reuters.com/world/epstein-accusers-brother-hopes-former-prince-andrews-arrest-signals-house-cards-2026-02-19/

Lobbying firm co-founded by former UK ambassador Mandelson stops trading over Epstein fallout
https://apnews.com/article/britain-mandelson-epstein-bankruptcy-starmer-9bcfeed90e6201d13fc979f3cb443bad

SEXUAL ABUSE BY PROFESSIONALS

Amber Glenn's former figure skating coach accused of sexual misconduct with 2 athletes
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/former-coach-figure-skater-amber-glenn-charged-sexual-assault-rcna259773

WA patients sue OB-GYN, alleging medical and sexual abuse

(Trigger warning)

https://www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news/health/wa-ob-gyn-sued-after-years-of-alleged-medical-and-sexual-abuse/

ONLINE ABUSE

Los Angeles County sues Roblox, alleges platform makes it easy for adults to target children
https://www.nbcnews.com/business/business-news/los-angeles-county-sues-roblox-rcna259891

Pennsylvania senior faces 300 charges in 'large-scale' catfishing, sextortion scheme involving 21 victims
https://www.wtae.com/article/pennsylvania-student-sextortion-scheme-peters-township-300-charges/70436687

CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL

West Virginia sues Apple, saying iCloud distributed 'child porn'
https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/boards-policy-regulation/west-virginia-says-it-has-sued-apple-over-iclouds-alleged-role-distribution-2026-02-19/

Rise in AI-generated child sexual imagery reports
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/rise-ai-generated-child-sexual-imagery-reports-2026-02-20/

ARTS & CULTURE

‘Two-spirit,’ MMIWR photo exhibit begins state tour
https://www.mprnews.org/story/2026/02/20/two-spirit-mmiwr-photo-exhibit-begins-state-tour

CASE STORIES

Labor Secretary's husband barred from department over sexual assault allegations
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/us-labor-secretarys-husband-barred-department-over-sexual-assault-allegations-2026-02-20/

DC police searched Chavez-DeRemer's office in sexual assault investigation
https://www.politico.com/news/2026/02/20/dc-police-searched-chavez-deremer-office-00791631