AUSTIN (TX)
KXAN TV
March 29, 2019
By Brittany Glas
Two months after the Roman Catholic Diocese of Austin released the names of 22 clergy “credibly accused” of sexually abusing children, victim advocates are calling for reform at the local and state levels.
The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, or SNAP, is fighting for all statute of limitations to be lifted in Texas for child sexual assault cases and encouraging victims to speak out, regardless of how long ago the alleged abuse happened.
According to current Texas law, it no longer matters when victims of child sexual assault report their abuse to law enforcement for potential prosecution. The case can be prosecuted now or 20 years from now — after the report is made. Since Sept. 1, 2007, there is no longer a statute of limitations on these crimes.
“Looking backwards, we still have limited windows for childhood survivors that were abused in the past,” said Carol Midboe, the Austin support group leader for SNAP.
Midboe traveled to Rome last month for the papal clergy abuse summit.
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