WHY HAVE SO MANY STATE REPRESENTATIVES TURNED THEIR BACKS ON THE CHILDREN OF MA?

I spent the day at the State House today with survivors of sexual abuse, asking State Representatives to move on this Bill. Please join me in protecting children, not predators. MOST IMPORTANTLY, REMEMBER IN NOVEMBER WHO STANDS FOR JUSTICE!

Key Provisions of House Bill 1523

The Comprehensive Protection from Childhood Sexual Abuse Act of 2009


Proposed by the Coalition to Reform Sex Abuse Laws

Main Sponsor Representative Ron Mariano

The community of sexual abuse survivors, child advocates, and mental health providers, as well as the parents and families of victims, has identified a number of issues which it believes are essential to protect children from sexual abuse and to address the needs of those who have been sexually abused. In summary, House Bill 1523:

*amends the §51A notice provision to include sexual abuse as a reason for enhanced non-reporting penalties, and ties clearer educational requirements to the penalty process;

*provides C. 258C crime victim compensation funds for mental health treatment to childhood sexual abuse victims who report the abuse as adults;

*eliminates entirely the criminal statute of limitations for childhood sexual abuse, and closes loopholes under which children, between 14 and 18, were not covered by recent amendments;

*eliminates the civil statute of limitations for future childhood sexual abuse claims, and provides a two year window during which prior claims may be commenced, so that abuse survivors, who are time-barred from bringing a criminal prosecution, will be able to identify perpetrators in a public forum and obtain justice; and

*eliminates the defense of charitable immunity, only with respect to childhood sexual abuse claims.

For a list of the Bill's legislative co-sponsors and supporters, please visit the  VCoalition To Reform Sex Abuse Laws www.corsal.org

For technical questions regarding the provisions of the bill, please contact: Atty. Carmen L. Durso ~ 617-728-9123 ~ dursolaw@tiac.net.

Many thanks for all your efforts to prevent child sexual abuse and

to improve our state's response to its victims!