Revived Sex Abuse Bill Headed to Assembly Floor

By Harry Gibbons
Capital Public Radio
August 21, 2013

http://www.capradio.org/articles/2013/08/21/revived-sex-abuse-bill-headed-to-assembly-floor/

A previously-stalled California bill that would expand the ability of victims of sexual abuse to file lawsuits is on its way to the Assembly floor after getting a second chance in committee today

The measure extends the statute of limitations by a year for anyone older than 26 seeking damages for sexual abuse.

Ellen Yin-Wycoff is with the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault. She said the bill is necessary to give those who come to terms with their abuse later in life the ability to pursue legal recourse.

“What it allows for is accountability in terms of every institution that may have had some contributing factor or may have been involved in protecting a perpetrator or offender of sexual violence," said Yin-Wycoff.

Opponents like the California Council of Nonprofit Organizations argue the bill unfairly targets private institutions while leaving public entities like schools free from scrutiny.

The bill passed today after stalling in an Assembly committee last week.