"Sexual Assault"

Published on: December 13, 2024

No Kids on Social Media in Florida Starting Jan. 1. What to Know.

Soon, kids under 14 years old will be barred from having social media accounts in Florida, according to reporting from the Miami Herald.

Starting Jan. 1, all platforms with adult content, or “material that is harmful to minors,” on their sites will be compelled to verify whether users are 18 years old or older. The platforms are expected to do this via third-party age verification on new accounts. The bill does not consider sites used exclusively for email or direct messaging limited to sender and recipients as social media.

Children under 14 with accounts will see their profiles shut down and those between 14 and 15 years old will be able to have accounts only if they have permission from a parent or guardian. If an account is suspected of belonging to someone who is under 14 years of age but doesn’t, there will be a 90-day appeal window.

Published on: August 18, 2017

Negligent Security on the Rise in the Era of ‘Online Hospitality Services’

By Leesfield & Partners

Hotel, travel and tourism injuries rapidly increase with inadequate security and safety neglect on premises. Once again, Airbnb has been sued by a guest claiming another host at the property assaulted her. Of course, Airbnb and Vrbo do not do a background check which would have prevented this alleged sexual assault, nor do they have any security measures and typical keys, locks and door protection. This is a wide open area of vulnerability according to Leesfield & Partners Founding Partner, Ira Leesfield who chairs the American Association for Justice Resort Torts Litigation Group.

There are ongoing battle rages between the hotel/public accommodation industry and Airbnb about the increasing shift of travelers from traditional hotels to less protected “homey” environments.

Airbnb not only fails to check on the guest, but also does not run background check or security analysis of the host renters. The lawsuit filed by Leslie Lapayowker, and reported in The Guardian contends that a background check would have uncovered the fact that the owner had been arrested and charged with battery, and prevented from listing his property on Airbnb. The plaintiff alleges that she was held in a chair, against her will, as the host proceeded to masturbate in front of her.

Published on: September 28, 2012

Masseur at Fontainebleau Hotel arrested for sexually assaulting guest

By Leesfield & Partners

Francisco Araica, 26, was arrested this week for sexually assaulting a guest at the Fontainebleau Hotel where Araica works as a masseur.

Last Sunday, a female guest, who was a habitual visitor of the Lapis Spa at the hotel was sexually assaulted during a massage. The victim told police that the assault happened in the middle of the massage. Apparently the victim was in too much fear that Araica would become more violent, she confronted her assailant after the assault had stopped. Approximately 10 minutes later, Araica left the room. She immediately left the room as well and contacted police. Through his attorney, Araica surrendered and was charged with one count of sex battery.

This morning, the alleged molester paid his bond and was seen leaving the Miami-Dade County jail with a jacket over his face, not to be seen by cameras.