Articles by Steven Gilchrist

A fter an international search, the mystery surrounding the disappearance of Bella Bond was solved.   2-year-old Bella Bond who was initially identified as “Baby Doe,” was found dead in June, 2015, on the shoreline of Boston Harbor.   Her death highlights the reality of child abuse and neglect. In September 2013, the National Academy of Sciences reported the results of the first major study of child abuse and neglect in 20 years.   The Academy’s report suggests that the abuse suffered by children can reshape the child’s brain and the effects can last a lifetime.   “Child abuse and neglect is a serious public health problem which requires immediate, urgent attention.   The consequences can last into adulthood with significant costs to the individual, to families, and to society,” said Anne Peterson, a professor at the Center for Human Growth and Development at the University of Michigan.   On average in the United States, child protective service...

T he west African nation of Sierra Leone has abundant diamond and mineral resources. These precious natural resources were part of the reason why the country suffered from a decade-long civil war. During the war, which ended in 2002, armed rebel groups developed a common practice of hacking off the hands and feet of their victims. Tens of thousands of people died as a result of the conflict. About ½ of Sierra Leone’s government revenue comes from donations. In recent years, the country has made economic progress; however, poverty and unemployment remain high. During the era of colonialism and the transatlantic slave trade, Sierra Leone was the departure point for thousands of captive African slaves who were to be sold in the western hemisphere. The capital city of Freetown, got its name from repatriated former slaves in 1787. Facts about Sierra Leone: Population: 5,743,725 (July 2014 est.) Area: Slightly smaller than South Carolina Capital: Freetown Religions...

An Associated Press review released last year indicates that 4 in 10 new oil and gas wells near fragile watersheds and national forests go uninspected by the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). Data obtained by the Associated Press in June 2014, reveals that the BLM has been overwhelmed by a surge in a new drilling technique known as hydraulic fracturing or “fracking.”   The fracking technique has resulted in the government agency to not adequately inspect some of the country’s highest priority oil and gas wells. The BLM is responsible for maintaining 100,000 oil and gas wells on public lands.   Of these wells, 3,486 are considered high priority wells.   During fiscal years 2009 to 2012, 1,400 of those high priority wells were not federally inspected.   In Wyoming, 632 wells went uninspected.   50% of high priority wells in South Dakota and 1 in 6 high priority wells in Pennsylvania went uninspected. For more information about the Bureau of Land Manage...

I n November 2013, Giorgi Margvelashvili assumed the presidency of Georgia, an eastern European country that borders the Black Sea.     In 1921, Georgia was invaded by the Soviet Red Army.   A year after the Russian invasion, Georgia was incorporated by the Soviet Union.   After the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991, Georgia became an independent nation. The United States has an interest in the economic prospects of Georgia.   The U.S. invested in the building of an oil pipeline from Azerbaijan to Turkey.   Part of the oil pipeline goes through Georgia.   Georgian military forces have also received training from U.S. armed forces and Georgia sent troops to fight in Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan.   The election of Margvelashvili is important because Georgia has aspirations to eventually join NATO and also the European Union.   In recent years, Georgia has been dependent on Russia for its energy supply.   In 2008, Georgia...

M embers of the United States Senate are in the process of trying to pass legislation that would create an independent an unbiased military justice system.   S.1752 also known as the Military Justice Improvement Act (MJIA) is a bipartisan bill proposal.   The idea for S.1752 is derived from the overwhelming problem of sexual assaults in the United States military. The problem of sexual assaults in the military is documented in the movie Invisible War .   Written by Kirby Dick and Amy Ziering, the documentary tells the story of several women and men veterans who were sexually harassed, assaulted, or raped by other members of the military while serving the country. The documentary reveals that prosecuting sexual assault cases in the military can be difficult because of how the current military justice system operates.   One expert in the documentary says that the average sex offender has over 300 victims in their lifetime.   Most offenders do not get caug...

L ess than six months ago, legendary comedian, actor, and philanthropist Robin Williams committed suicide.   Williams’ death cast a light on social issues that are often times kept in the dark.   Williams had struggled with depression and substance abuse in the past.   For Robin Williams to take his own life shows that even people with significant resources can face challenging times in their lives and struggle with depression.   Williams’ death was tragic news for millions of his fans.   Perhaps his death can lead other people who are having difficulty with substance abuse, depression, or other mental health concerns to seek treatment. Suicide is a national health problem.   Suicide can occur in any age or demographic group.   According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention a person dies by suicide every 16 minutes in the United States.   This represents approximately 32,000 deaths per year.   Additionally, the Foundation ...

E very year on November 25 th , people from around the world join together to observe the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women.   According to the United Nations, 35% of women worldwide have experienced physical and/or sexual violence or non-partner sexual violence.   Additionally, worldwide research from the U.N. also indicates that approximately 120 million women have been forced into sexual acts at some point in their lives and about 133 million women have undergone female genital mutilation. On November 25, 2014 at U.N. headquarters in New York City, U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon spoke about the global pandemic of violence against women.   Moon said: “Violence against women and girls is a global pandemic that destroys lives, fractures communities and holds back development.   It is not confined to any region, political system, culture or social class.   It is present at every level of every society in the world.   ...