Dec
17
2012

U.S. Judge Condones Violent Rape

She Didn't Put up a Fight

U.S. Judge Condones Violent Rape

More controversy over rape rhetoric in the U.S. after a judge claimed that because the victim didn't put up a fight during her assault, it wasn't legitimate rape

"I'm not a gynecologist," said Judge Derek Johnson, whose 2008 comments have only now come to light, "but I can tell you something—if someone doesn't want to have sexual intercourse, the body shuts down. The body will not permit that to happen unless a lot of damage is inflicted, and we heard nothing about that in this case. That tells me that the victim in this case, although she wasn't necessarily willing, she didn't put up a fight. And to treat this case like the rape cases that we all hear about is an insult to victims of rape. I think it's an insult. I think it trivializes a rape."

According to an article in the UK Independent, the Californian judge also gave a lessened sentence for the rapist in the case, to just six years, because he claimed the rape was "technical" and not "a real, live criminal case." 

The man had reportedly threatened to "mutilate the face and genitals of his ex-girlfriend with a heated screwdriver." Before raping her, he also subjected her to violent threats and beat her with a metal baton.  

"... the judge's remarks reflected outdated, biased and insensitive views about sexual assault victims who do not 'put up a fight.' Such comments cannot help but diminish public confidence and trust in the impartiality of the judiciary," wrote Lawrence Simi, chairman of the states Commission on Judicial Performance.

Although Judge Johnson has since apologized for his statements, which are a staggering reflection of how rape is perceived by some of the highest members of the judicial system, he's still on the bench. 

What do you think of Johnson's comments?

Dec
14
2012

Mastermind Giving Away Mountain of Toys

Just a "Like" Away

Mastermind Giving Away Mountain of Toys

All it takes to give big this holiday season is a very small gesture. By simply clicking “Like” on Mastermind Toys' Facebook page from now until 21 December, you can help build "a mountain of toys for kids in need!"

For every new "Like" received, Mastermind Toys will donate a $1 worth of toys to CP24 CHUM Christmas Wish and CTV’s Toy Mountain—up to $15,000. Now that, yummies, is something to celebrate.

So hurry on over to their Facebook page and tell all your friends and their friends to do the same. Let's make this holiday season rock for lots of little girls and boys out there...

Dec
14
2012

RECALL: Baby Jogger City Versa Strollers

Potential Fall Hazard

RECALL: Baby Jogger City Versa Strollers

Health Canada, the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission (US CPSC) and Baby Jogger, LLC have jointly recalled the above strollers, manufactured between May 15 and August 20, 2012. The stroller frame may fail to lock, and collapse, posing a potential fall hazard to children in the stroller.

In the U.S. Baby Jogger received six reports involving the stroller's folding mechanism failing, the first of which occurred on 21 August 2012. There have been no incidents or injuries reported in Canada. 

Customers are advised to immediately stop using the Baby Jogger City Versa Stroller and contact the manufacturer for a free replacement stroller frame.

For further information, customers can contact Brands in Motion, Inc. (Baby Jogger's official Canadian distributor) toll free at 1-866-774-7177, between 8AM and 5:30PM EST Monday to Friday, visit the company's website or email.

From July 2012 through October 2012, approximately 2,200 of the recalled strollers were sold in Canada.