Posts by Neil Gehlawat
Legal Protections for Minors Affected by Sexual Abuse in California
Minors rely on parents and the adults who educate and care for them to protect them from sexual abuse. California mandates that many of the adults that minors spend time with report any reasonable suspicion of sexual abuse. Minors and their parents and guardians can seek protective orders against the people who commit the abuse.…
Read MoreUnderstanding Your Legal Rights as a Victim of Sexual Assault in California
California law offers several protections to help survivors seek justice, hold perpetrators accountable, and move forward with dignity and support. Let’s look at what you need to know in order to take control of your situation. California law uses a broad definition of sexual assault, which includes any non-consensual sexual act. These acts can range…
Read MoreWoman Sexually Assaulted by Jail Employee Sues Santa Barbara County
A former female inmate is suing Santa Barbara County, alleging that the county’s “policy of inaction” allowed for her sexual assault by a jail employee, Salvador Vargas, in 2018. Vargas, who was later convicted, had multiple previous complaints against him that the county allegedly ignored. The lawsuit, set for trial in September, argues that the…
Read MoreSanta Barbara Teacher Arrested for Placing Recording Devices Around School
Steven Schapansky, a teacher at Santa Barbara Charter School, has been arrested for allegedly placing secret recording devices around the school, including in areas where the children change their clothes. The devices were discovered following a report to the Santa Barbara County Sheriff’s Office. Schapansky, who has been with the small K-6 school for seven…
Read MoreCongratulations to Sara Pross, Recipient of Taylor & Ring’s Annual Victim Advocate Scholarship!
Taylor & Ring is proud to announce that Sara Pross is this year’s recipient of the Taylor & Ring Victim Advocate Scholarship. Sara is a 1L student at New England Law in Boston. Sara is an extraordinary young person who tackles challenges head on. A natural leader, she served as the President of Clemson Panhellenic…
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