GUAM
Pacific Daily News
Shawn Raymundo, sraymundo@guampdn.com September 13, 2016
In a 13-0 vote, lawmakers Monday morning unanimously approved legislation to permanently remove the statute of limitations for all sexual abuse crimes, allowing victims to file civil cases against their alleged assailant.
Sen. Frank Blas Jr., R-Barrigada, introduced Bill 326-33 a few months ago, following several public accusations by former altar boys who allege that Archbishop Anthony Apuron sexually abused them while he was parish priest in Agat during the 1970s. If the bill becomes law, it could allow the alleged victims to sue Apuron.
Sens. Tina Muna Barnes, D-Mangilao and Tom Ada, D-Tamuning were absent from session Monday.
Last week, Joseph “Joe” Santos, the founder of a local grassroots group advocating to help victims of child sexual abuse, presented Blas with a petition that contained signatures from more than 3,000 people who support the bill.
“In light of growing awareness of child sexual abuse, many states have begun to reform criminal statutes. We are hoping to the do same here on Guam,” Blas told his fellow lawmakers during session Monday morning.
Note: This is an Abuse Tracker excerpt. Click the title to view the full text of the original article. If the original article is no longer available, see our News Archive.