Mo- SNAP Urges Legislature to Adopt Recommendations

By Barbara Dorris
Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests
January 8, 2013

http://www.snapnetwork.org/mo_snap_urges_legislature_to_adopt_recommendations

When the legislature convenes tomorrow, we hope it will quickly adopt the recommendations of a recent task force on child abuse, especially the one allowing evidence of so-called "signature crimes," commonly referred to as propensity evidence, to be used in child sexual abuse cases. 

It will require a constitutional amendment approved by voters through a statewide election, so it's important to get started quickly.

One in four girls and one in eight boys is sexually violated in childhood. So minor changes are inadequate. This amendment will help police and prosecutors get and keep dangerous predators off the street. Lawmakers should get this reform moving, starting tomorrow.