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Criteria for determining appropriate media representation of rape include:
  • including both the victim's and perpetrator's voice

  • victim is treated with respect

  • the severity of the crime is acknowledged

  • attention is given to the emotional/psychological long term effects of the crime in addition to any physical consequences

  • attention is given to the broader issue of sexual assault and the difficulty in prosecuting the crime

  • follows all ethical guidelines indicated by the Associated Press
Excerpts from “2 Cops Accused of Sexual Abuse”
By Jennifer Smith, Newsday, November 21, 2005


Two city police officers were arrested last night and charged with sexually abusing a woman after pulling over her car in Bushwick, police said.

Officers Charles McGeean, 37, and Fernand Clerge, 38, of Brooklyn's 83rd Precinct, stopped the woman's car at Irving and Myrtle avenues at 3:10 a.m. yesterday, police said. It was not immediately clear last night why the officers had pulled the car over, authorities said.

The officers then accompanied the woman, 35, to her apartment nearby, apparently to make sure she got home safely, said police spokesman, Sgt. Reginald Watkins.

About 90 minutes later, at 4:49 a.m., the woman called 911 to report that the two officers had sexually abused her, police said.

McGeean, a 13-year veteran, and Clerge, on the force since 1998, were arrested at 7:15 p.m. and charged with first-degree attempted criminal sex act, first-degree attempted sex abuse, third-degree sexual abuse and official misconduct.

Both have been suspended, and remained in custody last night awaiting arraignment, Watkins said.