Parallel Justice

National Center for Victims of Crime
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Parallel Justice returns… Remastered, refined, and more urgent than ever. This trauma-informed and survivor-centered podcast takes listeners inside the civil cases connected to the criminal headlines that shaped our culture. Each episode features nationally recognized attorneys who pursued accountability beyond the criminal courtroom and worked to create systemic change. This is not true crime for entertainment. It is a thoughtful examination of how civil justice works, where the system falls short, and how survivors can seek accountability through the courts. In this new season, we spotlight headline cases, emerging safety crises, and the legal strategies that continue to reshape public safety and institutional responsibility. From high-profile cases to emerging safety crises, Parallel Justice offers a clear-eyed look at how civil litigation creates change long after the headlines fade. Parallel Justice is produced by the National Center for Victims of Crime, a leading advocate for victims’ rights and survivor support nationwide. — The National Center for Victims of Crime advocates for victims’ rights, trains professionals who work with victims and survivors of crime and serves as a trusted source of information on victims' issues.  To learn more about the National Center for Victims of Crime, visit https://victimsofcrime.org/  Access a civil justice attorney through the National Crime Victim Bar Association, the nation's first professional association of attorneys and expert witnesses dedicated to helping victims seek justice through the criminal system visit https://victimbar.org/  Compassionate, confidential support is available through the VictimConnect Resource Center via call, chat or text at https://victimconnect.org/ and 1-855-484-2846.

  1. 10 HR AGO

    Sexual Assault in the Military: The Legal Barriers to Justice

    In this episode, attorney Christine Dunn joins us to discuss sexual assault in the military and the legal barriers many victims face when seeking justice. The episode examines the case of Major Micheal Stockton, an army anesthesiologist, who pled guilty to sexual misconduct charges in 2025. We also break down the controversial Feres Doctrine and discuss how it has historically limited service members’ ability to pursue legal action against the government. Through Dunn’s insight and experience, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the systemic challenges surrounding military sexual assault and the push for reform. Guest Christine Dunn is a co-managing partner at Sanford Heisler Sharp McKnight's Washington, D.C., office. Contact her at cdunn@sanfordheisler.com.

    35 min
  2. Doe v. Camden City Schools: A Disturbing Case of School Abuse

    21/08/2024

    Doe v. Camden City Schools: A Disturbing Case of School Abuse

    Attorney Jeff Fritz discusses a case involving school abuse in New Jersey. The case revolves around a seventh-grade student, Jane Doe, who was groomed and abused by her history teacher, Don Walker. The abuse continued into high school, and Walker even convinced Jane Doe to live with him for a period of time. The case highlights the importance of reporting abuse to Child Protective Services and the challenges victims face in coming forward. The statute of limitations for criminal charges had expired, but Jane Doe filed a civil lawsuit within the two-year window provided by New Jersey law. In this conversation, attorney Jeff Fritz discusses a case involving a survivor of sexual abuse by a teacher in the Camden City School District. He explains the dynamics of the abuse, the reasons why victims often stay in contact with their abusers, and the psychological impact on the survivor. The conversation also covers the lawsuit filed against the school district, the verdict, and the ongoing efforts to hold the district accountable.

    42 min
  3. Seeking Justice in Tragedy: Accountability in Mass Shootings

    03/07/2024

    Seeking Justice in Tragedy: Accountability in Mass Shootings

    Special guests Tony Romanucci and Tad Thomas are leading the charge in fighting gun violence in the US. In this episode, they provide valuable insights into the legal challenges, implications, and potential outcomes of seeking justice for the victims of mass shootings. Join us on this compelling installment of Parallel Justice as we delve into the complexities of finding justice and accountability surrounding two mass shootings - the Highland Park shooting and the Old National Bank shooting. Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the community impact, challenges, and societal implications involved when a mass violence incident occurs. For more information or to contact Tony Romanucci: https://www.rblaw.net/ For more information or to contact Tad Thomas: https://www.thomaslawoffices.com/ Visit Lawyer Minds: https://www.lawyerminds.com

    41 min
  4. Remembering Parkland: Lessons for Curbing Mass Violence

    08/04/2024

    Remembering Parkland: Lessons for Curbing Mass Violence

    In this episode, Renee Williams interviews Michael Haggard, managing partner of Haggard Law Firm out of Florida, in person. Michael Haggard and his firm have been representing crime victims for the last 20 years and played a major role in the cases surrounding the 2018 shooting that occurred at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, where 17 people lost their lives and 17 more were injured. Michael Haggard represented three victims from the Parkland shooting: student Joaquin Oliver, cross-country coach Scott Beigel, and teacher Stacey Lippel. Multiple civil cases resulted from the shooting. The FBI was targeted in one for failing to act when they were given a tip about the shooter announcing he was going to open fire on the high school the night before it happened. Other lawsuits were filed against the school board and the local police departments. Tune in to learn more about the ongoing cases and the lessons that we, as a nation, can learn from what happened in the aftermath of this tragic shooting.

    39 min
  5. Miracle Meadows: How Civil Justice Uncovered Decades of Abuse at a West Virginia Boarding School

    09/10/2023

    Miracle Meadows: How Civil Justice Uncovered Decades of Abuse at a West Virginia Boarding School

    Between 1987 and 2014 countless students were abused at Miracle Meadows, a boarding school in West Virginia. These students often complained, but their complaints were repeatedly dismissed. Join Guy D’Andrea, W. Jesse Forbes, and Scott Long, the attorneys who broke this case, as they discuss what they learned through the course of this case and how it fits in with the larger trend of the “Troubled Teen Industry.” More information on Mr. Forbes is available at: https://www.forbeslawwv.com/. More information about Mr. D’Andrea is available at: https://laffeybuccikent.com. More information about Mr. Long is available at: https://www.handl.com

    44 min
  6. Continuing Revelations: Abuse and the Mormon Church & LDS

    28/08/2023

    Continuing Revelations: Abuse and the Mormon Church & LDS

    Not many religions are as shrouded in secrecy as the Church of Latter Day Saints (LDS) and its progeny. This secrecy cultivates a culture that is ripe for abuse to occur. Attorney Peter Janci of Crew Janci LLP represents sexual abuse survivors including those abused by LDS and FDLS clergy and rejoins us for this episode of the podcast to discuss how the abuse occurs and how we can combat it.  Sexual violence cases involving LDS churches and others associated with Mormonism tend to be discussed less often than similar cases against Catholic churches because these crimes are reported less often. The extent of abuse that occurs is significant, however. Victims of abuse are deterred from reporting sexual crimes due to the insular structure of LDS churches and those related as well as the fact that these churches are often based in states where court statutes stop victims from being able to take legal action. Tune in to learn more about the history of sexual violence in LDS churches and how abuse is often hidden.

    40 min
  7. The Playbook: Statutes of Limitations

    28/06/2023

    The Playbook: Statutes of Limitations

    The Catholic church has a go-to playbook to avoid liability in child sex abuse cases. Last time, we talked to Jeff Anderson and Mike Finnegan, attorneys from Jeff Anderson & Associates who represent victims of childhood sexual crimes, about how the Catholic church utilizes bankruptcy to avoid helping victims. This time, we speak with them again to discuss one other way the Church has historically escaped liability—by abusing statutes of limitations. Statutes of limitations are time limits that legal claims must be filed during in order to become viable cases. They can differ from state to state. Statutes of limitations make sense in most personal injury cases, but for cases involving child sex abuse, a deadline of a couple of years is simply not enough time for many victims to come forward—especially when the crime is committed by someone the child thinks they can trust, like a member of the clergy. The Catholic church has been known to groom or coerce victims into silence until the statute passes, escaping liability completely.

    38 min
  8. The Playbook: How the Church Has Used Bankruptcy to Avoid Liability in Abuse Cases

    04/05/2023

    The Playbook: How the Church Has Used Bankruptcy to Avoid Liability in Abuse Cases

    The Catholic church has a go-to playbook to avoid liability in child sex abuse cases. Join Renee Williams as she interviews Attorney Jeff Anderson and Attorney Mike Finnegan from Jeff Anderson & Associates, one of the most recognized law firms in the nation that represents victims of childhood sexual abuse, as they discuss how and why the Church uses bankruptcy to avoid helping their victims. By filing for a Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the Catholic church is able to hide its assets and pay less to abuse survivors while halting all abuse litigation. Consequently, by putting bankruptcy rules and deadlines into place, the organization is even protected from future litigation if more victims were to come forward after the deadline has passed. Tune in to listen to Jeff Anderson and Mike Finnegan as they discuss how the Church gets away with this and what’s being done to fight back on behalf of survivors.

    40 min
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About

Parallel Justice returns… Remastered, refined, and more urgent than ever. This trauma-informed and survivor-centered podcast takes listeners inside the civil cases connected to the criminal headlines that shaped our culture. Each episode features nationally recognized attorneys who pursued accountability beyond the criminal courtroom and worked to create systemic change. This is not true crime for entertainment. It is a thoughtful examination of how civil justice works, where the system falls short, and how survivors can seek accountability through the courts. In this new season, we spotlight headline cases, emerging safety crises, and the legal strategies that continue to reshape public safety and institutional responsibility. From high-profile cases to emerging safety crises, Parallel Justice offers a clear-eyed look at how civil litigation creates change long after the headlines fade. Parallel Justice is produced by the National Center for Victims of Crime, a leading advocate for victims’ rights and survivor support nationwide. — The National Center for Victims of Crime advocates for victims’ rights, trains professionals who work with victims and survivors of crime and serves as a trusted source of information on victims' issues.  To learn more about the National Center for Victims of Crime, visit https://victimsofcrime.org/  Access a civil justice attorney through the National Crime Victim Bar Association, the nation's first professional association of attorneys and expert witnesses dedicated to helping victims seek justice through the criminal system visit https://victimbar.org/  Compassionate, confidential support is available through the VictimConnect Resource Center via call, chat or text at https://victimconnect.org/ and 1-855-484-2846.

Information

  • Creator
    National Center for Victims of Crime
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2026
  • Episodes
    39
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 National Center for Victims of Crime
  • Show Website
    Parallel Justice