FARGO (ND)
The Dickinson Press
March 14, 2020
By Jim Shaw
It is time for the North Dakota Legislature to open a new window, so victims of sexual abuse can seek civil action against their abusers. Many of the perpetrators were or are Catholic priests. Many of the victims were children. They were frightened, ashamed and traumatized. By the time they realized the seriousness of the offenses against them or had the courage to come forward, the statute of limitations had expired for them to take legal action.
So, the Legislature should open a new window of at least two years to allow all survivors to file suit against their alleged offenders. Experts say a lot of survivors in the state would like to take action now.
In just the last two years, 15 states revised their laws to open new windows or suspend their statutes of limitations. Minnesota opened a three-year window that ended in 2016. According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, that led to an astounding 850 new child abuse sex claims, including roughly 500 against Catholic clergy.
One of those who filed a claim was Frank Meuers of Plymouth, Minn. Meuers says he was abused by a priest when he was 16. “I was devastated and confused when it happened,” Meuers said. “The shame is smothering. You blame yourself.”
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