Northeast Kingdom Buddhist retreat at center of landmark ruling on child sexual abuse – VTDigger
Northeast Kingdom Buddhist retreat at center of landmark ruling on ... VTDigger
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The Vermont Supreme Court Upholds Law Eliminating Statute of Limitations for Childhood Sexual Abuse
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The Vermont Supreme Court has upheld a law eliminating the statute of limitations for survivors of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil actions against those allegedly responsible. This decision is in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 5: Gender Equality and Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions.
Background
The court issued its unanimous decision in June, but the parties involved were only referred to by their initials at that time. This was due to a provision in the 2019 law that allowed for the sealing of a complaint until a decision has been made on motions to dismiss such a case.
Unsealing the Case
In July, following the high court’s ruling, the plaintiffs filed a motion to unseal the case. A hearing on this matter is scheduled for later this month in Caledonia County Superior criminal court in St. Johnsbury.
The Lawsuit
The lawsuit involves claims of child sexual abuse that occurred 40 years ago at a Buddhist retreat in the Northeast Kingdom. The plaintiff, who is now 55 and lives in Canada, alleges that he was sexually abused by an adult employee of the Karme Choling Shambhala Meditation Center when he was 15 years old.
Shambhala USA, the organization that owns the retreat center, and John Weber, the alleged abuser, are named as defendants in the lawsuit. The plaintiff accuses Shambhala USA of luring children and young adults through a religious pretext in order to victimize them.
Response from Defendants
Lawyers for John Weber deny the allegations made against him and look forward to defending him in court. Shambhala USA also denies the allegations and respects the decision of the Vermont Supreme Court.
Impact of the Ruling
This ruling by the Vermont Supreme Court is significant not only for Vermont but also for other states that have been adopting similar legislation. It upholds the 2019 law and allows survivors of childhood sexual abuse to seek justice without being constrained by the statute of limitations.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Analysis
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
The article discusses a lawsuit involving claims of child sexual abuse, which is connected to the issues of gender inequality and the need for strong institutions to address and prevent such abuse.
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children
The article highlights the lawsuit involving child sexual abuse, which aligns with the targets of eliminating violence against women and girls (SDG 5.2) and ending violence against children (SDG 16.2).
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
Yes, there are indicators mentioned in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets. These indicators include:
- Number of lawsuits filed for child sexual abuse cases
- Number of cases where the statute of limitations is eliminated for survivors of childhood sexual abuse
- Number of institutions, organizations, or companies held accountable for permitting or perpetuating child sexual abuse
These indicators can be used to track progress in addressing and preventing child sexual abuse, as well as ensuring justice for survivors.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres | – Number of lawsuits filed for child sexual abuse cases – Number of cases where the statute of limitations is eliminated for survivors of childhood sexual abuse |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against children | – Number of lawsuits filed for child sexual abuse cases – Number of institutions, organizations, or companies held accountable for permitting or perpetuating child sexual abuse |
Behold! This splendid article springs forth from the wellspring of knowledge, shaped by a wondrous proprietary AI technology that delved into a vast ocean of data, illuminating the path towards the Sustainable Development Goals. Remember that all rights are reserved by SDG Investors LLC, empowering us to champion progress together.
Source: vtdigger.org
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