Sexual Abuse Cases Against Michael Jackson’s Companies Revived By Appeals Court
Sexual Abuse Cases Against Michael Jackson’s Companies Revived By Appeals Court Billboard
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Two Men Can Pursue Lawsuits Against Michael Jackson’s Companies
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Wade Robson and James Safechuck, who claim to have been sexually abused by Michael Jackson as children, have been given permission by a California appeals court to proceed with their lawsuits against companies owned by the late singer. The lawsuits were filed a decade ago and allege that Jackson’s companies, MJJ Productions Inc. and MJJ Ventures Inc., had a legal duty to protect them from the abuse.
Initially, Jackson’s companies argued that they were not responsible for the abuse as they lacked the power to control him since he was the sole owner. However, the California Court of Appeal for Second District overturned this decision, stating that the corporate structure does not automatically shield the companies from liability.
The court wrote, “We conclude a corporation that facilitates the sexual abuse of children by one of its employees is not excused from an affirmative duty to protect those children merely because it is solely owned by the perpetrator of the abuse.” It emphasized that having only one shareholder should not exempt a corporate defendant from its duty to protect.
Lead counsel for MJJ Productions Inc. and MJJ Ventures Inc., Jonathan Steinsapir, expressed disappointment with the decision and maintained that Michael Jackson is innocent of the allegations. He stated, “We trust that the truth will ultimately prevail with Michael’s vindication yet again.”
On the other hand, attorney Vince Finaldi, representing Robson and Safechuck, expressed satisfaction with the court’s ruling. He said, “We eagerly look forward to a trial on the merits.”
Robson and Safechuck’s allegations were detailed in the 2019 HBO documentary Leaving Neverland. Safechuck claims to have been abused by Jackson hundreds of times, while Robson alleges that the abuse began when he was seven years old and continued until he was 14.
The lawsuits will now proceed to a lower court for further litigation and a trial, where Robson and Safechuck will need to prove their allegations against MJJ Productions Inc. and MJJ Ventures Inc.
Read the entire opinion here.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
- SDG 5: Gender Equality
- SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
- SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- SDG 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.
- SDG 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation.
- SDG 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.
- SDG 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children.
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Number of cases filed against companies for failing to protect individuals from sexual abuse (Indicator for SDG 3.7)
- Number of successful lawsuits against companies for negligence in preventing abuse (Indicator for SDG 5.2)
- Number of cases where corporations are held accountable for facilitating abuse (Indicator for SDG 10.2)
- Number of legal decisions and court rulings that recognize the duty of corporations to protect children from abuse (Indicator for SDG 16.2)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators Table
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being | 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs. | Number of cases filed against companies for failing to protect individuals from sexual abuse |
| SDG 5: Gender Equality | 5.2: Eliminate all forms of violence against all women and girls in the public and private spheres, including trafficking and sexual and other types of exploitation. | Number of successful lawsuits against companies for negligence in preventing abuse |
| SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities | 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status. | Number of cases where corporations are held accountable for facilitating abuse |
| SDG 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions | 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking, and all forms of violence against and torture of children. | Number of legal decisions and court rulings that recognize the duty of corporations to protect children from 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: billboard.com
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