WHAT:
Press Conference. Janine Kyser, formerly of San Diego, and her attorneys will discuss a civil sexual abuse lawsuit filed with the Superior Court of the State of California onWednesday, February 24, 2016. Janine will talk about the risk of sexual harm to children in the modeling industry and use her story of abuse as an example of the lack of protection for children in the industry.
WHEN:
Wednesday, February 24, 2016 at 12:30 p.m. Pacific
WHERE:
Law offices of Elliott Kanter, 2445 5th Ave #350, San Diego, CA
WHO:
Plaintiff Janine Kyser is represented by Hamilton James, an attorney team formed by nationally-known child advocates Leander “Lee” James, Craig Vernon, Patrick Noaker and Constitutional lawyer and Professor Marci Hamilton along with their Southern California team member Elliott Kanter.
[Click Here for Complaint Filed in San Diego County Superior Court on February 24, 2016]
MORE DETAIL:
Child model exposes Barbizon School of Modeling in San Diego as negligent when it sent the young girl to multiple photo shoots where she was sexually abused by the photographers who are now wanted on outstanding warrants by the San Diego County Sheriff.
Janine’s story of sexual abuse is an example of the lack of protection for children in the modeling industry. In 1992, at age 14, Janine’s parents enrolled her in a Barbizon School of Modeling. Barbizon used the allure of fame to attract her and her parents with promises that she would meet agents, casting directors and have a chance to be discovered. Even after her graduation from the school, it continued to solicit her with promises that she would “Meet agents and casting directors! Star in National Ad!” and “This is your chance to be discovered!” Barbizon promised to train her and find her modeling jobs.
Janine attended class once a week. Barbizon “teachers” instructed her on the application of make-up, walking a “runway”, acting and posing for photographs. She graduated in January 1993 at age 15, receiving a “Certificate of Graduation.”
Sometime in the summer of 1993, the Barbizon School called Janine’s mother with a modeling job. Barbizon instructed her mother to take Janine to a studio in Bonita, California. Janine and her parents were excited; this was Janine’s chance, at age 15, to start a modeling career. “My parents trusted Barbizon and believed they were looking out for me,” explains Janine. Janine’s mother drove Janine to the first photo shoot, followed by two more during which two photographers sexually molested Janine. At no time did Barbizon monitor the photo shoots or ask Janine about them.
Janine felt confusion, fear and shame as a child and did not tell anyone of the abuse. Later in the summer of 1993, the Barbizon School called Janine’s mother and told her that the photographers had been arrested on charges related to misconduct with children. Janine then told her mother of the molestation.
Janine did not tell anyone else of the sexual molestation. She felt safe, believing that the couple had been arrested and, she assumed, prosecuted. Janine stopped thinking about them and what they had done to her until September of 2014, when she was preparing her disabled 11-year-old daughter for the first day of school. Janine felt an overwhelming urge to find out what had happened to the couple who had molested her. Janine investigated on the internet and found outstanding warrants for photographers. Janine then called the San Diego Sheriff’s Department and found out that the photographers had skipped bail and were never prosecuted. Janine realized that during all these years these child molesters probably abused other children.
Janine immediately called the San Diego Sheriff’s Department, and it proceeded to investigate. The investigation has lead to four warrants currently outstanding for the couple relating to the abuse of at least two children, including Janine. However, nothing has been done to hold Barbizon accountable.
“This industry exposes children to predators,” said Janine’s attorney, Leander James. “They paint them with make-up, dress them provocatively, and expose them. No wonder Janine is only one of many victims. Until this industry institutes policies and procedures that make certain children are protected, the abuse will continue.”
Janine wants to specifically identify her abusers and those responsible at Barbizon. However, technical rules in California require that she name them in the Complaint as “Doe” defendants.
“The pedophiles who violated Janine are still out there,” said Janine’s local attorney, Elliott Kanter.”The kids in our community are at risk. As soon as we are allowed, we will file an amended complaint naming them.”
Janine could have protected her identity by naming herself as a “Doe” Plaintiff. When asked why she hasn’t, she responded, “I want all sexual abuse survivors, and particularly those in the modeling industry, to know that the abuse was not their fault, they are not alone, and they should not fear speaking out and standing for justice. The shame is not ours; it belongs to those who exposed us to molesters and the molesters.” Her attorneys will soon file court papers to identify the individuals.
Craig Vernon, James’s partner and fellow team member, said, “Janine’s courage, identifying herself and speaking out against child sexual abuse in the modeling industry, is an extraordinary example of bravery by a women who is empowering herself and overcoming her past.”
According to Professor Hamilton, there is a startling disparity between the number of women sexual abuse survivors versus men who speak out. Quoting statistics from the National Sexual Violence Resource Center, Hamilton says, “While one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before they turn 18, far more men speak out as adult survivors than women. The modeling arena is one where girls are at serious risk of abuse and where many have yet to come forward. I hope Janine inspires them.”
“We are increasingly concerned that female survivors have not come forward,” said Patrick Noaker. “We hope others, like Janine, will find their voices so the public will learn who is exposing children to predators and stop them.”
CLICK BELOW FOR:
Janine Kyser and Hamilton James grants permission to any media outlet to reprint or otherwise use these images.