If You Reside In Illinois..., Please ask your state senator to support this Options

[ex3ABNemployee]

This could be a huge help to many victims. Thanks!

Senate considers sex abuse bill

By Melissa Paulik

A bill was introduced in the Illinois State Senate recently that if passed would allow any adult survivor of childhood sexual abuse to sue their abuser within a set period of time. If the bill is passed, Illinois would be the second state in the country to create such a law.

Senate Bill 1733, which was introduced Feb. 9, would amend the Code of Civil Procedure in Illinois and would create a two-year “window for litigation” that would exceed the current civil statute of limitations for the crime.

At this time, the statute of limitations for adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse to sue their abuser is within five years of discovering the abuse or by the age of 28, whichever is later.

A similar bill was passed in the California Assembly in 2002. In 2003, regardless of when the abuse occurred, adult victims could sue their abusers despite the statute of limitations having already passed, said Barbara Blaine, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.

SNAP is a nation-wide, volunteer, self-help organization whose goals are to end the cycle of clergy abuse and to support victims and their families.

SNAP and a non-profit corporation, Illinois Coalition against Sexual Assaults, helped draft the bill. ICASA is a group that receives funding from the state government with centers throughout the state. ICASA’s goals are to assist survivors of sexual assaults and end sexual violence.

When California passed the bill in 2002, the main opponent was the Catholic Church, said Blaine. Polly Poskin, the Executive Director of ICASA, said the same will most likely be true in Illinois. The Chicago Catholic Archdiocese and the Catholic Conference of Illinois declined to comment on the bill.

Sen. Terry Link (D-30th) from Lake Bluff, who is the sponsor of the bill, also said the Archdiocese may have a problem with the legislation but he “hopes they will see the wisdom of the bill.” The main purpose of the bill is to give the victims the justice they deserve and to “get back to finding out where the truth lies,” said Link.

When the legislation was proposed in California, the Catholic Conference of California “spent large amounts of money and engaged in unbelievable tactics,” said Blaine.

Certain arguments are expected from the Catholic Church in Illinois after her experience in California, said Blaine. Some of their rationales were the bill is unconstitutional, it would bankrupt the church, the group of victims is too small and trial lawyers will exploit victims trying to make more money, said Blaine.

“What’s sad is that you think that a church organization would want to protect children and instead they put their energy into protecting child molesters and those who enable them,” said Blaine.
?The bill was sent to the Senate Rules Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Debbie Halvorson (D-40th) from Chicago Heights. Blaine expects the bill will soon be sent to the Judiciary Committee for further discussion. Link has not had the opportunity to speak with other senators concerning the bill but said there is a good chance of passage.

Similar legislation is pending in other states such as Minnesota, Maine and Wisconsin and the Colorado General Assembly is expected to introduce a similar bill next year, said Blaine.

Source: http://cms.colum.edu/reservoir/your_space/...lissa_pauli.php

[Noahswife]

This could be a huge help to many victims. Thanks!
Source: http://cms.colum.edu/reservoir/your_space/...lissa_pauli.php

“What’s sad is that you think that a church organization would want to protect children and instead they put their energy into protecting child molesters and those who enable them,” said Blaine.




Duane, please keep us advised of the status of this legislation if you would please.

[PrincessDrRe]

[Seraphim7]

[PeacefulBe]

Duane,
It's good to see that some states are starting to move the wheels of justice in the proper direction!

Thanks for bringing this to our attention. Three cheers for SNAP and the state of Illinois!

[sonshineonme]

“What’s sad is that you think that a church organization would want to protect children and instead they put their energy into protecting child molesters and those who enable them,” said Blaine.


Duane, please keep us advised of the status of this legislation if you would please.

I totally agree. I know it's not easy to bring things out, but in light of the pain it causes to keep things hidden, wouldn't you think that they would want healing to start for those that have been cast aside as less important then a leader or an organization that violated them?? What kind of a "religion" is that?

I would like to see this pass. It needs to pass.

[Johann]

I totally agree. I know it's not easy to bring things out, but in light of the pain it causes to keep things hidden, wouldn't you think that they would want healing to start for those that have been cast aside as less important then a leader or an organization that violated them?? What kind of a "religion" is that?

I would like to see this pass. It needs to pass.