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Pass Bill to Abolish Time Limit in Child Sex Abuse Cases

Pacific Daily News
September 8, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/09/08/our-view-pass-bill-abolish-time-limit-child-sex-abuse-cases/89990646/

Sen. Frank Blas Jr., center, speaks after receiving a petition with more than 3,000 signatures from Silent No More campaign founder Joe Santos, during a brief ceremony at the Guam Legislature in Hagatna on Thursday. The signatures were gathered in an effort to raise awareness about the removal of the statute of limitations on civil suits regarding sexual abuse of children. Blas has introduced Bill 326 to address the issue. See story, Page 3

During public hearings on the bill, men who accused clergy of sexual abuse spoke in favor of the legislation.

Speaker Judith Won Pat said she would call a session on Monday primarily for a vote on Blas’ bill.

Lawmakers should pass the bill because it would encourage victims to report abuse and would make it economically unviable for institutions to cover up wrongdoing.

As Guam and other jurisdictions address clergy sex abuse allegations, they are considering reforms for child sexual abuse laws. States are extending or eliminating civil and criminal statutes of limitation in such cases.

The national trend in reforms stems from a better understanding of child sexual abuse. It may take years, or even decades, for victims to talk about their trauma. And when victims do speak up, they inspire others to share their stories of abuse.

Because child sexual abuse is a complex problem for victims and the community, a multifaceted approach is needed.

One way to help is to give victims the time they need to speak up and to seek justice. If statutes of limitation are abolished, victims won’t have to worry about the clock ticking.

 

 

 

 

 




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