Campaign Background
Rally to Take Rape Seriously, November 9, 2010
In September 2010, Tony Simmons, at the time a New York City juvenile justice counselor, was convicted of raping one girl and sexually assaulting two others entrusted to his custody for transport to Manhattan Family Court. He was sentenced to probation and would serve no jail time. As Sonia Ossorio, NOW-NYC's Executive Director, said: "If we cannot deliver justice for these three teen victims who were assaulted on the premises of the Manhattan Family Court building by an employee assigned to protect them, how can we expect justice for any women victims of violence?"
To coordinate our efforts to secure justice for Simmons' teenage victims, we began the Take Rape Seriously campaign. We mobilized anti-violence advocates and rape crisis centers across the city to turn up the pressure on the Manhattan DA's office and the judge through meetings, protests, petitions, letters, and media coverage to prosecute the serial rapist to the full extent of the law. NOW-NYC and our volunteers demanded that the criminal justice system set a clear precedent that rapists will not get off easily. Instead of getting a slap-on-the-wrist sentence of probation, Simmons was convicted of molesting two girls in juvenile detention and, on February 1, 2011, was sentenced to four years in prison and ten years probation on multiple counts of committing a Criminal Sexual Act and Sexual Abuse.
Since then, we have acted in the Moreno and Mata cases, urging the judge to give the former NYPD officers the maximum sentence for official misconduct. This summer, we stood behind Nafissatou Diallo as she was slandered by the media and the case against DSK fell apart. We are making it clear that violence against women must be stopped and remain vigilant to ensure justice is served for victims of sexual assault.
Press Coverage of the Take Rape Seriously Campaign
Feminist Activists Voice Concerns that DSK Case is Dismissed - (video) August 24, 2011
Dominique Strauss-Kahn May Be Returning Home - Metro - August 23, 2011
Rape Charges to Be Dropped Against DSK - DNAInfo - August 23, 2011
DSK Case to Be Dropped, Prosecutors Say - NY Times - August 23, 2011
Strauss-Kahn May Get Big Break In Court Tuesday - CBS - August 23, 2011
Councilmember James, Coalition Encourage DA to Proceed With Case for DSK Accuser - Patch - August 22, 2011
Former Cop Rips 'Gaping Hole' in Fabric of Society - The Gothamist - August 8, 2011
Kenneth Moreno Gets Jail Time, Then Free on Bail - Metro - August 8, 2011
Ex-Officer in Rape Case Gets Jail Time for Misconduct - New York Times - August 8, 2011
Ex-Cop Acquitted of Rape Free on Bail Hours After 1-Year Jail Sentence - NY Daily News - August 8, 2011
'Rape Cop' Sentenced to Year in Jail, Quickly Released - Jezebel.com - August 8, 2011
Juror in Trial of Ex-NYPD Cops Case Acquitted of Rape Speaks Out - New York 1 - August 8, 2011
"No More Rape Cops!" Protest at Foley Square - Gothamist - August 8, 2011
Ex-Cop Kenneth Moreno Gets Year in Jail After Misconduct Conviction - CBS 2 - August 8, 2011
Ex-NY Cop Acquitted of Rape Jailed for Misconduct - ABC - August 8, 2011
Former cop gets prison for misconduct with drunk woman - Reuters - August 8, 2011
Advocates Mull Whether Strauss-Kahn Accuser's Decision to Go Public Helped Her Case - WNYC - July 31, 2011
NY Post Smears DSK Rape Case Victim, Can't Back Up Their Claim - Change.org - July 11, 2011
Strauss-Kahn Case May Discourage Sex Crime Victims - Reuters - July 7, 2011
DSK Fallout Could Deter Rape Victims - Metro - July 7, 2011
High-Profile Rape Case Could Deter Victims from Speaking Out, Advocates Say - WNYC - July 5, 2011
What Constitutes a Just Sentence? - New York Times - June 29, 2011
Attorneys for Ex-Cops Want Misconduct Charge Thrown Out - CBS2 - June 28, 2011
Sentencing of Former NYPD Officers Delayed - NY1 - June 28, 2011
Demanding Justice for Rape Survivors - Feminists For Choice - June 28, 2011
Activists Rally to Push for Maximum Sentence for NYPD cops Acquitted of Rape - The Raw Story - June 28, 2011
Juror calls for NYPD Cops Acquitted of Rape to be Jailed for Official Misconduct - Daily Mail - June 27, 2011
Lawyer Takes Opposing Roles in Two Rape Cases - NY Times - June 26, 2011
'NYPD Shame!' 300 Protesters Cry After Stunning Trial - The Villager - June 2, 2011
Councilwomen, Feminists Blast Not Guilty Verdict - May 28, 2011 - DNAinfo
Ex-Cops Walk and Talk Trash - May 28, 2011 - New York Post
Activists Gather to Condemn NYPD Rape Trial Verdict - May 28, 2011 - NY1
The CSI Effect: Lack of DNA Evidence Spared Cops - May 27, 2011 - DNAinfo
NOW-NYC Responds to NYPD Cop Rape Trial - May 20 - WPIX11, videoJudge Dismisses Some Charges in NYC Cop Rape Trial - March 29 - CBS2
Stalking Victim May Have Feared Not Being Taken Seriously - February 14 - WNYC
Simmons Sentenced to Jail Time for Molesting Girls - February 1 - CBS News
NY Case Shows Lenient Treatment of Rapists - January 24 - Women's eNews
Accuser Speaks Out after Simmons' Conviction - January 21 - CBS2 News
Learn more: TRS Past Actions and Events | Photos from Rally to Take Rape Seriously | Key 2011 Cases and What They Mean for Survivors