Since the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Richmond, local politicians have submitted two proposals that would change the age of the witness responsibility act. Currently the act makes it a crime to not report attacks committed on kids under 14 years of age. 

Seven people have been arrested in connections to the Richmond gang rape back in October. The seventh suspect, 43 year-old John Crane, turned himself in on Tuesday night after an arrest warrant was issued for him. Police say he raped the girl while she was unconscious.He was booked on felony sexual assault in connection to the brutal gang rape and beating of a 16-year-old Richmond high student.

Three juveniles have been charged as adults with rape by a foreign object while acting in concert.

"Ortega has been charged with forcible rape while acting in concert, assault with force likely to cause great bodily injury, and robbery. Montano has been charged with forcible rape while acting in concert and rape by a foreign object while acting in concert. Torrentes has been charged with rape by a foreign object of a person unable to resist due to intoxication, rape by a foreign object while acting in concert and rape while acting in concert..."

(via KTVU)

 Previously:

21-year-old Salvador Rodriguez was one the young people first taken into police custody in connection to the Richmond gang rape, but he was later released by police. Now Rodriguez, a key witness to the rape, is missing.

Rodriguez has been missing since Dec 6th. Family members of Rodriguez say that he received death threats after speaking to ABC 7 news. He told reporters he was skateboarding the night of the incident and saw the rape take place. He said he tried to help the victim after the assault was over. Richmond Police Sergeant Bisa French told KCBS news that they are concerned and that searching for Rodriguez is not easy because he does not have a permanent residence.

Check out the interview Rodriguez did with ABC 7 news. The interview also includes another witness—who doesn’t show his face because he is afraid something may happen to him.
 

State Assemblyman Pedro Nava, Democrat from Santa Barbara is sponsoring legislation that would make it a crime to not report a violent attack if you witness it. This proposal was inspired by the gang rape that took place in Richmond, CA in October where almost twenty people stood around and watched a girl get raped, beaten, and robbed without calling the cops. Currently the law requires people to report a violent crime against a 14-year-old child. The law was unenforceable in the Richmond case because the victim was a 15-year-old.

According to Nava, the new law would require people to report any violent crime regardless of age. The penalties would be the same as the current law-- six months in jail and a fine of $1,500. Nava's proposal is expected to be looked at by the assembly committee as early as January. Nava was quoted by The San Francisco Chronicle as saying, "I cannot imagine any reasonable opposition to it - when you think about it, spectators at a dog fight face heavier penalties than witnesses (to a rape) do under the current law."

I still find it hard to believe though a child is still under their parents' supervision until the age of 18, our current law only protects kids under 14.

Previously:

SYNDNEY, AUSTRAILIA-- A group of former and current students from the University of Sydney created a “pro-rape” group on Facebook. The group was created under the sports and recreation section on Facebook. The group describe themselves as “anti-consent.” The group’s page was taken down in October but had been up and running since August.

“The male students, mostly from the elite, all-male St Paul's College, initially ensured the ''Define Statutory'' group had an open, public profile, and proudly displayed their membership on their personal Facebook pages.” via The Sydney Morning Herald

It’s disappointing to hear there are actually young people bold enough to display these feelings towards rape. Facebok allows users to stay connected and inform people throughout the world, but is this taking that concept to the extreme?

This year we’ve learned about a 15-year-old being raped, beaten, robbed by as many as 10 people while more than a dozen other watched and captured the raped on their phone—without calling 911.

I’m not sure what part of rape is intriguing to those students but it’s definitely something it requires some kind of therapy.
 

Students at  Richmond High, where a 15-year-old girl was gang raped, are condemning their peers' comments that "it’s her fault.”

At a vigil for the victim of the October 24th rape and beating, some students, including young women, hinted that they fault the victim because of rumors about her sexual history. Some students, like 17-year-old Luis Gastelum said if a girl, “...goes to a dark alley, you’re basically, not asking for it, but something was gonna happen." Sixteen-year-old Briseida Rodriguez also questioned the circumstances leading up to the rape. “Why would she be over there with all them guys? Knowing that the homecoming is in the gym, not over there, so that’s why I think it’s her fault.”

And they're not only faulting the victim for her own troubles, but they're pointing to the entire incident as one that will put a damper on their high school experience. Rodriguez said her parents have become more strict after the incident, and she feels it's unfair. Fourteen-year-old Perla Posadas' parents are also restricting her freedom because of the incident. "It doesn’t feel good because these are my school dances and to not be able to attend them, that wouldn’t be cool with me.”

On October 24th a 15-year-old student from Richmond High was ganged raped, brutally beaten, and robbed after a homecoming dance. According to Richmond police the victim was attacked by as many as 10 people while a dozen others watched. After a number of arrests police have a seventh suspect, a 21-year-old man, into custody. Four teenagers have been charged in connection with the gang rape. San Pablo residents Cody Ray Smith, 15, and Ari Abdullah Morales, 16; Pinole resident Marcelles James Peter, 17; and Richmond resident Manuel Ortega, 19, all face life in prison if convicted on all counts.

Lt. Mark Gagan, spokesperson for Richmond police, says they have arrested five people—two adults and three minors, in the attack of a 15-year-old Richmond High student. Four of those arrested will be charged as adults. The girl was gang raped and beaten for almost two-and-a-half hours. She was left unconscious under a bench a little before midnight. Lt. Gagan also added that as many as ten people were involved in the assault while another ten people watched without calling police. The victim was released from the hospital on Wednesday.

Marin Trujillo, district community engagement and media spokesperson, says Richmond High is working closely with Richmond police to ensure their students are safe. Trujillo says Richmond High will continue to go through with its plans to hold a dance this weekend. To ensure their students' safety, faculty members, local police officers, and volunteers are planning to cover more areas surrounding the campus. Trujillo says, “There will be a drop off and pick up zone to ensure kids are being picked up.” Trujillo also mentioned they will be covering more ground and faculty members and police officers won’t leave campus until the campus is clear.

RICHMOND, CA-- Two suspects are currently in custody for participating in the gang rape of a 15-year old Richmond High School student outside her homecoming dance. Police arrested a 15-year old boy who is also a student at the school late Monday. He joins a former student, 19-year old Manuel Ortega, who was arrested at the scene and is suspected of participating in the assault with up to five others.

(via SF Gate)