Hundreds of Sexual Assault Survivors Pen Letter to NY Commission of Judicial Conduct Calling for Judge McClusky’s Immediate Removal From the Bench
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 7, 2019
CONTACT: Madison Donzis | madison@unbendablemedia.com | (210) 488-6220
Hundreds of Sexual Assault Survivors Pen Letter to NY Commission of Judicial Conduct Calling for Judge McClusky’s Immediate Removal From the Bench
Nearly 35,000 People Have Demanded the Commission Remove Judge McClusky After He Let Child Rapist Off with No Jail Time in Sentencing Decision
NEW YORK — Today, over 675 survivors of sexual assault, and thousands of their loved ones, in partnership with women’s advocacy group UltraViolet, are calling on the New York Commission of Judicial Conduct to remove Jefferson County Supreme Court Judge James McClusky from the bench after he showed leniency toward the confessed rapist, Shane Piche, because he had raped “only one” girl.
SEE THE LETTER HERE: http://weareultraviolet.org/survivorlettertonycommission
According to court records, Piche lured the girl and other minors to his house, gave them alcohol — and then sexually abused them. In his sentencing, McClusky justified letting Piche off with no jail time by saying he raped “only one” girl.
“Judge McClusky’s callous words and disregard for the young survivor demonstrate that he does not care about ensuring justice for survivors who seek remedy in the courts,” said Shaunna Thomas, Executive Director at UltraViolet. “McClusky justified his sentence for Piche by explaining it was ‘only one’ girl, a horrifying reminder that our so-called justice system all too often prioritizes the well-being of white male perpetrators over the survivors of their crimes.
“McClusky clearly cannot be trusted to administer justice to survivors of sexual assault. The New York Commission of Judicial Conduct must show survivors it will not be complicit in this disturbing show of rape culture in our courts and take the steps necessary to remove him from the bench immediately.”
Nearly 35,000 people have signed on a petition from UltraViolet demanding that the New York Commission on Judicial Conduct remove Judge James McClusky from the bench immediately.
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UltraViolet is a community of more than one million people that drives feminist cultural and political change. Through people power and strategic advocacy, we work to improve the lives of women and girls of all identities and backgrounds, and all people impacted by sexism, by dismantling discrimination and creating a cost for sexism.