3,000 Signatures on Petition to Lift Statute of Limitations for Child Sex Abuse

By Krystal Paco
KUAM
September 8, 2016

http://www.kuam.com/story/33044983/2016/09/08/3000-signatures-on-petition-to-lift-statute-of-limitations-for-child-sex-abuse


Members of the group Silent No More presented their petition to lawmakers on Thursday. According to founder Joseph Santos, the group collected 3,000 signatures in support of lifting the statute of limitations for child sex abuse cases, which is mirrored in Bill 326.

The bill was introduced amid allegations of molestation against Archbishop Anthony Apuron, as well as other members of clergy.

One of the alleged victims to come forward was Roland Sondia, who said, "For me and the other victims, we were traumatized for almost forty years by this darkness. We've kept a secret. I'm just glad that groups like the Concerned Catholics [of Guam], Silent No More, the Laity Forward Movement, that they were here to support us.

"And without them, I don't think we would have had the courage to come out and share our stories."

During the presentation, Speaker Judi Won Pat announced the bill would be first to be heard on session floor on Monday.