Sd Panel Approves Child Sex Abuse Task Force

Press and Dakotan
February 12, 2014

http://www.yankton.net/news/state_ap_sd/article_9abfee7a-e4ed-5aa3-8f5b-27680716417a.html

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) — South Dakota's Senate Education Committee has unanimously approved a bill to establish a task force that would study the impact of child sexual abuse.

The group would be named Jolene's Law Task Force after Jolene Loetscher of Sioux Falls, a victim of sexual assault as a child. Members would meet later this year to suggest ways South Dakota could improve its policies for dealing with child sexual abuse, which officials say happens to one in four girls and one in six boys nationally.

No one has spoken in opposition to the bill. Supporters include child advocacy organizations, the South Dakota Sheriff's Association and the state Department of Social Services.

The measure now goes to the full Senate.