Stanza Performing Arts Company co-owner Kristopher Backman pleaded not guilty to charges of child molestation in the second degree in Snohomish County Superior Court on Thursday, July 21. Monroe police arrested Backman at his Lewis Street dance studio on Tuesday, July 19, booking him into Snohomish County Jail. Stanza Performing Arts Company co-owner Kristopher Backman…
by Lonni Rivera Tuesday, August 02, 2016 07:13PM VACAVILLE, Calif. (KGO) — A child pornography investigation led to the discovery of videos of young girls undressing in a Solano County theater. Two men who worked at the Vacaville Performing Arts Theater for eight years are accused of secretly recording the girls. The two men are…
Join us this first-of-its-kind international videoconference presented by YPAD and child sexual abuse prevention and education expert Svava Brooks - August 5th 9 AM PST – By reservation only, spots limited. Join us to learn and unite to keep our youth healthy and safe in dance! (RSVP BELOW!) As adults and dance professionals, it is…
A spike in reported cases of sexual abuse in the past five years is being seen as a positive sign of courage by victims brave enough to speak out. ‘People are starting to get their head around that it’s not a crime of shame’ Sexual assault victim advocate Louise Nicholas says more historic sex abuse…
Every week, scores of young dancers take to Instagram to show off a physical feat that seems to defy the limits of human hip bones. The #TiltTuesday trend features dancers stretching their legs into extreme contortions. Sometimes the photos merely attract likes or followers. Other times they can attract the attention of scouts, leading to…
YPAD filed a report recently with law enforcement after collecting evidence from a group of awesome individuals who stepped up to document some seriously disturbing comments and behavior of some of that group page’s members. The evidence collected by YPAD has been turned over to authorities and we are actively working with an investigator at…
YPAD has learned that Dancer/Choreographer Jackson Alvarez was arrested on July 2nd 2016 for sexual acts with a minor in Orlando Florida. Jackson has instructed with several dance studios in North Carolina and has been guest faculty at several dance studios and conventions where he has had unlimited access to minors. If you or someone…
A former dance student tells a Sydney court how her world came crashing down after her teacher sexually abused her. The student, now aged in her twenties, was making a victim impact statement during a sentencing hearing for self-confessed paedophile Grant Davies. The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to 28 child pornography and sex abuse charges relating…