Women’s Rights

Health Care Reform – An Enlightening Discussion in OB Sponsored by League of Women Voters

May 17, 2013 by Judi Curry
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OB Rec Center Meeting Led by Jeanne Brown

By Judi Curry

I attended a most informative meeting at the OB Rec Center on May 16 on the subject of “Health Care Reform”. The focal point was on a “Single Payer Health Care” and a Healthcare Movie was shown to the audience.

The film revealed the true story of how the health care systems in Canada and the US evolved so differently when, at one, point, they were essential the same. Statistics are overwhelming –not just in comparing the Canadian health care system to ours, but in just looking at the stats overall.

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OB Citizens Watch Formed – Will Meet Monthly at OB Woman’s Club

May 15, 2013 by Source
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Editor: From the agenda and minutes of the OB Crime Watch meeting held Monday, May 13th, we offer the following as a report of the meeting. As background, the OB Crime Watch formed in early October 2012 after a series of sexual assaults against women in Ocean Beach and reports of a peeping tom.

With about 20 people in attendance at the OB Woman’s Club, Mercy Baron opened the meeting with introductions. It was announced that a name change of the group was in the offering, that people thought “OB Citizens Watch” was a better title for the group.

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OB Crime Watch to Meet Tonight – Monday – at OB Woman’s Club

May 13, 2013 by Staff
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The group that organized in Ocean Beach after a series of sexual assaults against local women is having their monthly meeting tonight at the OB Woman’s Club.

The meeting of the OB Crime Watch Citizens Patrol will be at 7pm at 2160 Bacon Street. They’re asking the community to join them and discuss and share ideas to help keep OB safe.

The meeting is open to all. Organizers are asking attendees to bring a non-perishable food item to donate to the Loaves and Fishes program.

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League of Women Voters Explore “Health Care for All” at OB Rec Center – May 16th

May 13, 2013 by Staff

he San Diego League of Women Voters is holding its first Ocean Beach, Point Loma district meeting on Thursday, May 16th. It will held from 2:00 to 4:00 PM at the Ocean Beach Recreation Center.

This month’s topic to explore: the League of Women Voters will present an indepth report on Health Care for All. Also a documentary about the American health care “system” will be shown, and discussed.

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Sex in San Diego: Pentagon Study Finds 26,000 Military Sexual Assaults Last Year, Over 70 Sex Crimes Per Day

May 9, 2013 by Source
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Editor: The following is a transcript of Amy Goodman’s program on Democracy Now from yesterday, May 8, that aired highlights from Tuesday’s Senate Armed Services Committee hearing on military sexual assaults . We also include the video – see below. Democracy Now!

NERMEEN SHAIKH: A shocking new report by the Pentagon has found that 70 sexual assaults may be taking place within the U.S. military every day. The report estimated there were 26,000 sex crimes committed in 2012, a jump of 37 percent since 2010. Most of the incidents were never reported.

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Suspect in March Sexual Assault Now Charged with August Rape in Same Area of Ocean Beach

April 17, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

The suspect in the March 24th sexual assault in Ocean Beach has been now charged with the August 25, 2012 sexual assault – which occurred in the same general vicinity as the more recent one. The D.A. says it was “the same M.O.”

Richard C. Butts pleaded not guilty to the late March assault, where he is charged with one count each of kidnapping with intent to commit a sexual assault, forced oral copulation and assault with intent to commit a sexual offense.

That assault on March 24 occurred late at night around 10:15 pm, as a 26-year-old woman was walking home in the 4800 block of Long Branch Avenue from a dinner at a friend’s house. Suddenly, a stranger ran up to her, grabbed her and gave her a bear hug. He then dragged her 30 to 40 feet to a more secluded area and sexually assaulted her. He had wrapped a sweater over her eyes, gagging her with it.

Fortunately, she was able to yell and scream for help and several neighbors immediately responded by running to the scene of the attack, chasing the assailant away. Butts was then arrested by police less than a half hour after the attack and close to the restrooms at Robb Field.

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OB Citizens’ Patrol to Meet Tuesday, April 2nd

March 29, 2013 by Staff

Perhaps spurred on by the latest sexual assault (and though the suspect has been caught), OBceans are organizing the next meeting of the OB OB Citizen’s Patrol.

The first meeting of 2013 will be held Tuesday, April 2 at 5 pm. The meeting will take place at the Tower 2 Cafe, in OB.

Tower 2 Cafe is located at 5083 Santa Monica Avenue, OB, CA 92107; and their phone is (619) 223-4059.

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Heroic Neighbors Who Saved Victim in Ocean Beach Sexual Assault Shrug It Off as Suspect Is Arraigned

March 28, 2013 by Frank Gormlie

The heroic neighbors – who by their response to screams stopped the sexual assault Sunday night and chased off the assailant – shrugged off their heroics.

Meanwhile, the suspect arrested by police after the assault was arraigned in downtown San Diego, plead not guilty, had his bail set at $300,000, and was scheduled for a Preliminary Hearing on April 10th. He faces possible life in prison if found guilty on his charges of kidnapping and sexual assault.

The now well-known OB incident from Sunday, the 24th – the latest in a string of sexual assaults in Ocean Beach over the last 6 months – occurred around 10:15 pm, as a 26-year-old woman was walking home in the 4800 block of Long Branch Avenue from a dinner at a friend’s house. Long Branch is in the northern sector of OB.

Suddenly, a stranger ran up to her, grabbed her and gave her a bear hug.

Prosecutor Wendy Patrick described it:

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International Women’s Day Events in San Diego

March 8, 2013 by Doug Porter

100203historyLast Thursday, the U.S. House of Representatives followed the Senate in re-authorizing the Violence Against Women Act with bi-partisan support. The timing was particularly appropriate: Friday, March 8th is International Women’s Day. The overall theme this year is “The Gender Agenda: Gaining Momentum,” while the United Nations theme for the day is “A promise is a promise: Time to end violence against women.”

 

San Diego State

On Friday, March 8th, San Diego State University’s Women’s Studies department Femininist Research Colloquia series will host Kum Kum Bhavani, an author and Sociology Professor from UC Santa Barabara, whose research interests lie within development, feminist and cultural studies.

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OB Woman’s Club Clothing Swap – Saturday Feb 23rd

February 21, 2013 by Source
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By Becky Sorenson

In an effort to continue serving the Ocean Beach community, the OB Woman’s Club is hosting a community clothing swap fundraiser. This event will be held on Saturday Feb. 23rd from 1-3pm. There will be a $5 entrance fee for this event.

A Clothing Swap is an event designed to reuse the perfectly good clothing, shoes and accessories that we no longer wear or need. Here’s how it works, clean out your closet and bring some gently used wearable clean clothes that are taking up unwanted space in your closet. Then come browse and find some new items to spruce up your wardrobe.

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Who said girls can’t play rugby? There’s a team right here in Point Loma.

February 14, 2013 by Judi Curry
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My first introduction to Rugby was when my grandson-in-law, Ben, sent me a picture of him with the blackest eye I had ever seen after winning a Championship Rugby match in Australia. Having all daughters I was almost sickened by seeing this handsome man’s face marred by a “shiner” so large that it almost obliterated his face.

When, five years later, my 17 year old granddaughter informed me that she was going out for the rugby team with the San Diego Young Aztecs (SDYA) my first thought was of Ben and all the cuts, scrapes and bruises he had during the rugby season. (I shouldn’t have been surprised at Molly’s choice. Her Aunt Lynn, my middle daughter, was the first female on the Water Polo team out of Pt. Loma High many years ago.) Still, the remembrance of Ben’s pictures was at the forefront of my mind.

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Another Ocean Beach Woman Assaulted – This One on Ebers Street Friday Night – Nov. 9th

November 13, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Another OB woman has been assaulted. This latest incident occurred on Ebers Street Friday night, November 9th. The woman, whose identity will not be disclosed at this time, was walking home around 11:15 coming home from a bar on Newport.

A man began following her from Sunset Cliffs. She noticed that and had words with him. He reportedly half-apologized. But he kept following her. And somewhere between Santa Monica and Saratoga, across the street from the small park, he attacked her. He grabbed her hair, threw her down and they began scrapping.

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Obama, Filner, Peters … Elizabeth Warren? OMG! Is this the New Progressive Era?

November 7, 2012 by Frank Gormlie

Election day was a progressive’s dream come true, wasn’t it? Well, almost, and well – in some ways, not really. But progressives did win some big ones yesterday – and yes, at this moment, there’s almost 10,000 votes between Bob Filner and Carl DeMaio – so, that race is really too close to call, and even though Scott Peters leads Bilbray – he only has about 700 votes over him – so, that one will certainly go to a re-count.

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Internet Date Rape in Ocean Beach Reported

November 6, 2012 by Christopher Dotson

Police Believe Suspect Lives in OB

According to San Diego Police, a three week relationship built online has ended as a horrible nightmare for a woman, and a hunt for the man she met over the internet has begun. Lt Natalie Stone confirmed a report that an OB woman was raped Sunday morning – after being drugged while on a first date with a man who lives in Ocean Beach.

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We’ve Changed Our Minds about Prop 35, but NOT about Sex Trafficking

October 29, 2012 by Source

During a meeting of the San Diego Free Press Editorial Board over the weekend, some of us expressed reservations regarding our stand, as a group, on a YES endorsement of Proposition 35. We agreed that we would do more research and report back. Below are the opinions of two of our members, whose views mirror my own and are expressed much more eloquently. ~ Editor du Jour, Patty Jones

SDFP Editorial Board Member Anna Daniels

Wading through the propositions on the ballot this year required both time and effort. I have felt largely confident about the positions I had taken on issues and candidates, except for Prop 35, the anti-sex trafficking initiative. …

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Man arrested in another OB grope attack – this one inside victim’s apartment

October 28, 2012 by Staff

A man suspected of staging a grope attack was arrested by police early Sunday morning. A woman sleeping on a couch in an apartment at 2196 Abbott Street awoke to find a man groping her. Pushing him away, she jumped up, ran into the bathroom, locked the door and called police. One to two roommates also awoke and ran outside.

Police responded and found the suspect in the victim’s backyard. The victim ID’ed him and he was booked on suspicion of sexual assault. He has yet to be identified by police. Source: Fox5 News

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Rumors and Crime in Ocean Beach. The Truth Is Out There, and we at the OB Rag aim to find it.

October 22, 2012 by Mercy Baron
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Like the poster on Fox Mulder’s wall, we, at the OB Rag, aim to find it.

I’m referring to the rumors that have been flying around our little beach community in regards to all the assaults, sex crimes and attacks that have been occurring in alarming numbers here the last couple of months and even longer. Most of them are true, but some of them just ain’t.

It seems that we hear of an incident, and within 24 hours, we “hear” of several more. In response to all of this, many of us have formed the OB Citizen’s Patrol, along with the guidance of Tim Nolan, owner of Tower Two Cafe.

The first meeting was on October 8, and over 30 people crammed into Tim’s resto to voice their concerns and sign up for the first organized patrols since the 1970′s. Tim said it started way back then in response to local crime and the time had come again to relaunch the patrols. Tim was involved back then, and has been patrolling ever since. He has gone out on his own for many years to make the neighborhood safe for his family.

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Suspect in Ocean Front Grope Attack in Custody – Police Call for Witnesses

October 19, 2012 by Christopher Dotson

Suspect Arrested on Other Charges – SDPD Calling for Witnesses and Information to Attack in Ocean Front Alley on Wednesday

San Diego Police Department’s Lt Natalie Stone has confirmed a suspect who police think is the perpetrator in the grope attack is in custody – although he is in custody on other charges. The man had just been released from jail last Monday – 2 days prior.

A 25 year old woman was ambushed while walking in the 1600 block of Ocean Front alley shortly before 9 a.m. on Wednesday, the 17th of October. She was hit on the head, told to be quiet, and then groped. The man ran off. There is some new info – the assailant apparently was frightened off by the sudden appearance of a Cox Cable truck.

Police say they need any witnesses to come forward who may have any information regarding this most recent attack against a young woman in South Ocean Beach. If you do have info, contact the San Diego Sex Crimes unit by calling 619-531-2210.

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“The Power was Overwhelming” at Women’s Fundraiser for Bob Filner

October 18, 2012 by Judi Curry
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A new young couple moved into our neighborhood in south Ocean Beach two years ago and over that time I have had conversations with them. I worked with Heather and taught her to make jam; I called on Mark to help with a few heavy things that needed to be done around the house; I fed their dog treats when Buddy and I take walks together.

So, I was thrilled when she called me and asked if I would like to go the “Women for Filner” fundraiser at the University Club on Wednesday, October 17th. Although there was a $100 donation, (which I could not make) I am not sure how Heather worked it so that I could attend, but attend I did, and had a great evening.

The power in that room was overwhelming. So many of the “big guns (gunnettes?) of the San Diego female world were in attendance

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Citizens’ Patrol for Ocean Beach to Begin October 12th

October 9, 2012 by Source
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Report from Meeting on Monday Night – October 8th – at Tower Two

By Celeste
Around 30 or so people crowded in the Tower Two Café on Monday’s meeting on creating the OB Citizens Patrol. Tim Nolan, owner of the cafe, had recommended that people who sign up for patrols carry a flashlight. He also suggested having a siren to scare people away. He reinstated several times that the patrol is set up to PREVENT not to PROVOKE and anyone “misbehaving” would be asked to leave the patrol group.

He also suggested that the patrols take place on Friday and Saturday nights in two 3 hours shifts. The first shift would begin at 9pm-midnight, and then midnight-3 am. He would like to have 3 or more people in a patrol group, patrolling a 2 block square (depending on how many people show up). The area that would be patrolled would be Newport Ave to West Point Loma Blvd, and Cable Street to the beaches.

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Prop 35: Human Trafficking, a Progressive Dilemma

October 4, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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By Kit-Bacon Gressitt / Excuse Me, I’m Writing

It is a no-brainer to predict that the anti-human trafficking ballot initiative in California, Proposition 35, will pass by a landslide in November. The measure’s increased prison sentences and fines for labor and sex traffickers are popular responses to crime.

Even Maxine Doogan, spokesperson for the measure’s primary opposition, said Prop 35 is going to pass: “Everyone is against human trafficking. Of course we need to throw the book at human traffickers.”

But Doogan, the founder of Erotic Service Provider Legal, Educational and Research Project, a sex worker advocacy group, is not at all pleased with the measure’s inevitable success.

Neither are civil libertarians, if the ACLU’s opposition is any indication.

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Ocean Beach Group Formed to Educate Women About Sexual Assaults – “Citizens’ Patrol” to be Established

October 4, 2012 by Frank Gormlie
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There was barely a seat available at last night’s meeting called by the OB Woman’s Club to discuss the recent sexual assaults in Ocean Beach. Nearly 50 people – over a quarter of them men – crowded into the building at the corner of Muir and Bacon – just yards from a violent sexual assault that took place during the wee hours of August 25th.

Becky Sorensen, vice-president of the club, opened the meeting and welcomed everyone. The meeting had been set up out of frustrations, apparently, at the weak response women had received when they brought up their concerns about the assaults and peeping tom at the OB Town Council meeting recently. A number of individuals approached the leadership of the Woman’s Club that night out in front of the Masonic Hall after the Town Council and asked if a meeting could be held there. Becky and Celeste McClure jumped into the task and printed up a flier and began distributing them around town.

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Meeting at OB Woman’s Club to Discuss Peeping Tom and Assaults – Oct. 3rd

October 1, 2012 by Source
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Members of the OB Woman’s Club have created a Facebook group called OB Crime Watch to help create awareness about what’s been going on in the community lately.

They are also hosting a meeting at their club Wednesday October 3 at 7pm.

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OB Town Council Hears Outrage From Residents Over Recent Sexual Assaults and Peeping Tom Incidents

September 28, 2012 by Christopher Dotson
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Community Members Jam OBTC Meeting and Voice Impatience at Lack of Progress by Police

Wednesday night at 7PM, the OB Town Council held their monthly public meeting, as a crowd of more than 100 Ocean Beach residents filled Masonic hall to express anger over a growing perception serious and violent sexual crimes are increasing in OB.

While the actual number of reported incidents remains low, a strong showing by residents, and several television camera crews from local media stations, were met with serious concern from San Diego police, as officers and residents reported on both known and unreported incidents.

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Peeping Tom Reported on Saratoga Avenue in Ocean Beach

September 20, 2012 by Christopher Dotson
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Earlier this week, a flyer was hand delivered to OB residents along Saratoga Avenue issuing a warning of a “peeping tom on Saratoga Ave.” The flyer goes on to describe events surrounding an individual male stalker which San Diego Police are now investigating.

The word “BEWARE” appears in the heading, and the flyer narrates events as they unfolded on Monday morning, 9/17, around 10:30am after an OB parent found a large hunting knife outside their back door, on Saratoga Avenue in Ocean Beach. Even more alarming, the same startled parent also discovered a red velvet top-hat sitting on a trashcan which was located underneath their daughter’s bedroom window.

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Brother of Second OB Assault Victim Offers $5,000 Reward

August 28, 2012 by Source
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Brother Posts Wanted Posters About Ocean Beach

By Chris Dotson and Frank Gormlie

The brother of the most recent sexual assault victim in Ocean Beach has posted a $5,000 reward. John Wilson is offering this for any information leading to the arrest or conviction of the assailant of his sister August 25th on the 5000 block of Muir Avenue.

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