Italian police bust major ‘psycho-sect’ that
practiced child sex abuse for over 30 years
Police in Italy have raided what they called a “very powerful” sect, said to be entrenched in several cities across the country, which preyed on young women – many of whom were minors – subjecting them to sex abuse and torture.
The alleged sect was busted after a lengthy two-year probe into the cult’s activities, dubbed 'Operation Dionysus', Novara police said Monday. Law enforcement carried out dozens of searches across the country over the weekend, mainly in the cities of Italy’s north, including Novara, Milan, Genoa and Pavia.
The sect was led by a 77-year-old man from Novara, one of the cult’s victims told the police. While the identity of the sect leader has not been disclosed, police said that his followers were allowed to call him only “the Doctor” or plainly “Him,” and revered the man as a god of sorts. The cult’s top members referred to themselves as “beasts,” while potential recruits were seen as their “prey.”
The sect targeted primarily young women, including minors, and reportedly promised the “chosen ones” an entry into a “magical, fantastic and secret world” and the lighting of an “inner fire,” among other things, investigators said. In reality, however, all the ‘magic’ revolved around various sexual practices, often “extreme and painful,” as well as torture. The victims were forced to sever their ties with the outer world, becoming dependent on the sect and on “the Doctor” personally.
The sect has had a large legal front, including several shops, a psychology center and even a publishing house, which allowed it to operate freely for years and to ensnare unsuspecting victims.
The brainwashed members worked at the sect’s legal establishments, and were required to ‘donate’ large sums of money to the organization. To make the whole scheme more profitable, the cult tried to recruit new members from wealthy families, police said.
The investigation has proven to be particularly difficult, police noted, as the organization was virtually “impenetrable,” with the sect members showing exceptional loyalty. Many of the cult members have suffered “persistent psychological damage,” and some even have had their mental abilities permanently impaired.
The cult is believed to be active since at least the 1980s, when the now-busted organization was created after a merger of two smaller sects. It remained unnoticed by the authorities for decades, until one of the victims managed to partially overcome her dependence on the organization and tipped the police off as to the cult’s activities.
As of now, 26 people are under investigation over the cult’s activities – a number likely to grow, given that the organization was active for decades. The total number of the cult’s victims has not been established so far.
Paraguay: indigenous girl's murder fires
public outrage at child sexual abuse
The conservative South American country has high levels of sexual violence against minors and a shocking child pregnancy rate
A child holds a sign that reads in Spanish ‘Child sexual abuse never again, screams without voice,’ at a demonstration in Ciudad del Este, Paraguay, in 2015. Photograph: Peter Prengaman/AP
Human rights activists in Paraguay have led a wave of fierce public indignation after a series of alarming cases in which sexual violence towards young girls has culminated in murder and child pregnancy.
The highly conservative South American country has long struggled with high levels of sexual violence towards children.
On 29 June, a 12-year-old Guaraní indigenous girl was found murdered with signs of sexual abuse in the Arroyo Corá indigenous community in the Itapúa administrative department. A 26-year-old man was arrested.
Bernarda Pessoa, a leader of the Qom indigenous people and activist of the Organisation of Rural and Indigenous Women (Conamuri), said that nowhere near enough was being done to protect children, especially indigenous children.
Earlier this year, several other cases of extreme sexual violence towards indigenous girls – including another murder in Paraguay’s capital, Asunción – prompted a string of large protests demanding justice.
“The state does so little,” said Pessoa. “Only the general public debates and protests. But afterwards, it’s as if nothing at all happened. That’s how the stories of the deaths of many indigenous children end.”
Aníbal Cabrera, executive director of the Paraguayan Coordination Group for the Rights of Children and Adolescents (CDIA), described a raging “pandemic” of violence towards children. His organisation reports that an act of sexual violence towards minors is registered every two hours, and Cabrera said figures would only have intensified during Paraguay’s Covid-19 lockdown.
“We are in an extremely machista and authoritarian society that perceives a girl or boy as an object and not as a subject of rights,” he said.
Cabrera said a clear sign of this sexual violence is Paraguay’s high child pregnancy rate.
On 26 June, an 11-year-old girl gave birth by caesarean section after being rushed from her home in the north-eastern city of Pedro Juan Caballero to a hospital in the city of Itauguá.
The girl, whose pregnancy was described as “high risk”, was reported to have been sexually abused by a 14-year-old boy living at the same residence, who has been charged.
It was disclosed that authorities knew of four other girls under the age of 14 currently pregnant in the city.
A United Nations Population Fund report states that, on average, two girls aged between 10 and 14 give birth every day in Paraguay. The country has one of the highest rates of child and teen pregnancy in Latin America, a region that, as a whole, has the second-highest rates in the world.
Child Sexual Abuse the Most Reported Crime in Paraguay
This recent case echoes the pregnancy of another 11-year-old girl – who became known by the pseudonym of “Mainumby” when her case was widely reported in the international press in 2015, prompting intense debate about abortion in Paraguay.
Mainumby – who was sexually abused by her stepfather – was denied an abortion by the state, despite pleas from her family and international outcry.
'It destroyed the girl she was': the toll of pregnancy on Paraguay's children
Abortion remains illegal in Paraguay except when it is deemed that the mother’s life is at risk – an exception that is rarely granted according to Cabrera. A woman was arrested on 20 June accused of having convinced her 14-year-old daughter, who had been sexually abused, to terminate her pregnancy.
Cabrera said that, while comprehensive sexual education should be key for preventing sexual violence, it was largely absent from highly Catholic Paraguay’s education system. In 2017 the ministry of education moved to ban all materials deemed to refer to the nebulous concept of “gender ideology”.
Good! They've done one thing right!
Teresa Martínez, minister for childhood and adolescence, agrees with the need to change policy. “Comprehensive sexual education must be strongly incorporated from the start of the education system,” she said.
She said her ministry had achieved encouraging results from a pilot sex education programme for parents. While lessons had been learned from Mainumby’s case, she said, “there’s still a long way to go”.
Cabrera said both state and society must push for change. “It’s almost as if there’s a complicit silence. We need to form a social agreement between everyone: we need to improve as a society in our protection of children and respect for their lives.”
Pedro Juan Caballero, PA
Kazakh pedo nearly lynched
after raping 5y/o girl
Hunt for suspected Paedophile descends into chaos in Kazakhstan
Angry mobs ready to lynch a suspected pedophile raged in the central Kazakh city of Satpayev, as they hunted for a man who allegedly abducted and raped an underage girl.
People conducted an all-out search through the city in a door-to-door manhunt after a 5-year-old girl went missing late Thursday, Interior Minister Yerlan Turgumbayev said.
After receiving an emergency call from the girl’s father, local police joined the search, and a few hours later found the girl in an apartment in a high-rise building. Upon undergoing a medical examination, she was reunited with her mother and the alleged kidnapper was apprehended. A criminal case regarding kidnapping and rape has been opened.
Video 4:04 in Kazakh dialect
“This is very scary. Gosh, what’s going on?” the person behind the camera says.
After police drove the kidnapper away, the crowd marched toward the city administration building, setting police cars on fire on the way. The city calmed down by Friday morning after national guard reinforcements were deployed. No casualties were reported.
President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called an extraordinary meeting over Friday night’s events in Satpayev. He urged local authorities to pay “special attention” to the social and economic needs of the people and demanded the public be informed about the results of the criminal investigation.
Last week, a Kazakh policeman, while chasing another suspected pedophile, followed him by jumping from the 13th floor (last story on link) in Almaty, the country’s largest city. He not only survived but managed to catch the suspect.
Rescues and Prayer Requests from
International Justice Mission
Latin America
Praise God for the commitment of local authorities in the Dominican Republic during the pandemic to carry out rescue operations. Last week, they performed two operations and rescued four survivors of violence. Three sisters, ages 6 to 12, where rescued from physical abuse and neglect, and a 14-year old was rescued form sexual violence. Pray for these four survivors as they continue their restoration process in safety. Also, pray for local authorities as they take the next steps to prosecute their aggressors.
South Asia
Pray for education opportunities for survivors of sex trafficking and bonded labour. This month, many young survivors and the children of survivors are finding out results of their grade 10 and grade 12 exams, which in South Asia dictate their options for higher education. Many survivors have their sights set on university and would be the first in their families to go. Pray that all their hard work would pay off and that they would get good opportunities to pursue education and break the cycle of poverty.
Southeast Asia
Praise God for a rescue and arrest that took place this week in the Philippines. Two suspects were arrested for offering to livestream the sexual abuse of four children between the ages of 2 and 8 years old. Pray for the recovery of the children, who have been taken to a shelter to receive trauma-informed care.
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Paedophile banged up abroad tried
to arrange child abuse from prison
A paedophile has been jailed after trying to groom a child while waiting to be deported back to the UK.
Keith Banks, 62, had been jailed for child sex offences in Australia and placed in a detention centre. While holed up inside the centre, a month before Australian authorities sent him back, Banks began arranging the abuse of a 10-year-old girl via email.
He was charged with trying to arrange or facilitate the commission of a child sex offence and breaching a SHPO. Banks admitted the charges in December, and appeared in court via video link on July 15, where he was jailed for six years. He will spend a further eight years on extended licence.
Judge Andrew Hurst told Banks: ‘On September 26, whilst awaiting deportation in Australia, you had access to the internet. ‘You were contacting two people claiming to be the parents of a ten-year-old girl, and quickly you were able to establish you had sexual interests in children.
‘This happened before you even left Australia. You arrived in England in October. It seems to me that you intended to pursue sexual offending against children. ‘You regarded the UK as your new hunting ground before you even left Australia.’
The judge added: ‘I have no doubt that you would have gone through with sex with her and two other adults. You brought a soft toy with you for the ten-year-old girl. ‘You were willing and intended to take her virginity. I have no hesitation in finding you dangerous. ‘You were not remotely looking for a fresh start and keeping your desires at bay.’
X Factor flop Phillip Blackwell used ‘rape kit’ to film himself attacking 9 women – and taped victims’ eyes shut - gets Life
Alex Winter Rob Pattinson, The Sun
A "PURE evil" X Factor flop who used a "rape kit" to film himself carrying out depraved sex attacks on nine women over 22 years has been jailed for life.
Phillip Blackwell - who went viral for his cover of Spandau Ballet's Gold - filmed the terrifying rapes and even covered some of his victims' eyes with tape.
Former X Factor contestant Phillip Blackwell, pictured here during his audition, faces years behind bars after he admitted a string of horrific rapes. Credit: ITV
And today a judge told him: "I can think of no more dangerous individual of 35 years in criminal law - apart from murderers."
The court earlier heard the 55-year-old supply teacher was "calm and calculated" during the shocking assaults, even telling his victims he "wanted them to enjoy it".
Warwick Crown Court heard the serial rapist used a camcorder to film himself attacking women after committing the first crime in 1997.
Five of his victims were vulnerable young women who were targeted because he thought they were wearing "attractive clothing" as they walked alone in Birmingham, Coventry and Nuneaton, West Midlands.
Balaclava-clad Blackwell would then pounce, using gaffer-tape to bind their hands together and speaking in an Irish accent to avoid detection.
During his first attacks in the late 1990s, he would tell his helpless victims: "Don't scream, I don't want to hurt you."
He then carried out a string of sexual offences on another four women in the Launceston area of Cornwall between 2005 and 2019.
He was still attacking the women when he achieved short-lived fame on the ITV talent show.
Blackwell even went on the shows’ UK tour and performed alongside other stars at the X Factor Live events in 2009, which featured Alexandra Burke and JLS.
At previous court hearings, Blackwell pleaded guilty to 31 sex offences, including rape, attempted rape, indecent assault, assault by penetration, voyeurism and false imprisonment.
Describing Blackwell's "predatory instincts" to the court, prosecutor Adrian Langdale QC said: "He's a serial rapist whose campaign of abuse has spanned over 22 years.
"He identified young females dressed in a particular way that he found attractive, followed them in his car, got in front of his victims and got into a place where he could carry out his attack.
"It was cold, calculated behaviour."
Mr Langdale said some of Blackwell's attacks were carried out on women who were unconscious after the fiend "plied victims with alcohol in order to get compliance".
The former reality TV hopeful often used "delusional terms" while attacking his victims.
One woman was told: "If I met a girl like you, I would want to marry you.
"I want you to enjoy this."
Another woman was told: "I'm not going to hurt you, we're just going to make love."
He also threatened his victims in order to prevent them from telling the police, with one of the victims being told: "You have a beautiful body and I can do this over and over again because I know where you live."
Mr Langdale told the court how Blackwell often "grabbed" his victims from behind by their neck or head and "rammed" them to the floor before raping or sexually assaulting them.
Victim statements of some of the women were read to the court, with one woman describing him as "pure evil".
'HE POSES A SERIOUS DANGER TO WOMEN'
Another victim said she had "lived in fear for so long", while a third said the attack on her had had a "devastating and long-lasting effect".
Today, Blackwell was jailed for life as a judge said the defendant is one of the most dangerous offenders to appear in his court in 35 years.
Judge Peter Cooke said: "You are clever, calculating, forensically aware, devious, manipulative and plausible. To quote a victim, 'I saw him as a charming man with a good sense of humour but he was sly and clever.'
“Going back 23 years ago, it is clear that you had equipped yourself with a rape kit. This included a balaclava, an Irish accent, tape for binding and a camcorder to record the offending.
“It shows there was nothing spontaneous to your offending or loss of control or inner turmoil."
'I CAN THINK OF NO MORE DANGEROUS AN INDIVIDUAL'
The judge said Blackwell "must regard women with a level of contempt shocking to contemplate".
“The harm you have done is incalculable. A murderer takes life itself but you have taken so much from so many people," he said. “For two decades you have left lives ruined in your wake."
He added: “You are one of the most dangerous offenders for whom the most serious punishment must be given."
Blackwell was jailed for life with a minimum term of nine years, put on the sex offenders' register for life and ordered not to directly or indirectly contact any of his victims.
It was heard he evaded justice for more than two decades before he matched DNA taken from the first assault in 1997.
As part of their investigation, cops examined a number of 8mm video cassettes which showed Blackwell video recording a victim at various states of undress.
In November 2017, another victim contacted police and said the defendant had taken photos of her and raped her in her sleep. The disclosure led to Blackwell's eventual arrest and charge.
Speaking after he pleaded guilty, Detective Chief Inspector Caroline Corfield from the Warwickshire Police Major Investigation Unit said: "It is clear he is a dangerous and manipulative sexual predator who has caused untold misery to his victims for the purpose of his own sexual gratification.
"He poses a serious danger to women."
Blackwell auditioned for the X Factor 12 years ago - telling the panel he wanted to achieve "multi platinum-selling albums, all over the world. China, Europe".
He's a multi-platinum creep! There's no way he should be out of prison in nine years - that's like one year for each woman he destroyed. He probably thinks that's a good deal. I don't. Not for the women.
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