Child Sex Abuse Survivors Rally for 2-year Retroactive Window

By Kody Leibowitz
WJAC
April 3, 2017

http://wjactv.com/news/local/child-sex-abuse-survivors-rally-for-two-year-retroactive-window

Survivors of child sex abuse and their supporters took to the steps of the state capitol to ask lawmakers to pass their bill, one they are calling the "real deal."

With his back to a row of reporters now facing his supporters, Rep. Mark Rozzi summed up why those wanting a statute of limitations reform stood together outside the Capitol Building on Monday.

"Two-year window," Rozzi (D-Berks) shouted to cheers.

The two-year window Rozzi mentioned is the push to open up a civil retroactive window, which he said would help past victims of child sex abuse.

"Everybody that supports the bill I say represents victims. If you don't support retroactivity, then you support perpetrators and the institutions and the insurance companies," said Rozzi. "So you'll have to pick your side here."

Rozzi rallied with supporters and survivors of child sex abuse to push his bill, House Bill 612, which he calls the "Real Deal" for statute of limitations reform.

His bill hasn't been brought to a vote. But on Tuesday, Senate Bill 261 will be voted on and expected to be voted out of the House Judiciary Committee.

SB 261 is currently without retroactive language, but it would eliminate criminal and civil statute of limitations.

Supporters and survivors of child sex abuse came from across the state to lend their support.

In Johnstown, Shaun Dougherty organized a bus of family and friends. He said he started a nationwide petition, which he said got 75,000 signatures.

Dougherty planned to drop off the petition to lawmakers Monday afternoon after the rally.

"Where (retroactivity) changes, I really don't care as long as it changes," said Dougherty. "Whether it changes on the House floor or whether it changes in committee, as long as the change is there with retroactivity."

Dougherty spoke at the rally, capping off the hour-long press event that survivors from across the state speaking about their abuse.

"I could have just let it go and be another statistic," said Taylor Ecker of Boyertown, Pa. "But I need to be a voice for people that can't speak."

Brenda Dick, an Altoona resident, said she was abused by a family member.

She made the trip out East in hopes a reform bill will pass this year with retroactivity.

"I'm tired of watching this go year after year after year without [reform] going anywhere," said Dick. "They just want us to shut up, get tired and run away and we've proven them year and year we'll be back until we get our justice."