The 2013 Legislative Session
There are two bills currently before the legislature that look to adress the need for Statute of Limitations reform when dealing with cases of child sexual abuse. Senate bill 633 is sponsored by Sen. Brownsberger and House bill 1455 is sponsered by Representatives Lawn and Stanley, read the bills here:
Read House Bill 1455
Read Senate Bill 633
Are You a Sexual Abuse Survivor 55 Years of Age or Older?
Senator Brownsberger's Senate Bill 633 makes great strides in advancing the rights of survivors to seek justice from their abusers. Currently, however, it does not provide relief to survivors of child sexual abuse who are 55 years of age or older.
Advocates indicate that as many as 40% of currently identified survivors are over 55. Let Senator Brownsberger know that survivors who have been time-barred from seeking justice due to current Statute of Limitations laws cannot be denied the opportunity yet again to have their cases heard.
Post your message to Sen. Brownsberger in the forum on his website. He reads every message and often responds directly so make your voice heard!
Upcoming Public Hearing on Statute of Limitations Bills
On Tuesday May 7th at 1:00 PM there will be a hearing by the Committee on the Judiciary for Senate bill 633, sponsored by Sen. Brownsberger and House bill 1455, sponsered by Representatives Lawn and Stanley. The hearing will take place at the State House in Room A-2.
Relief for Victims of Sexual Abuse
Posted on March 18, 2013 by Will Brownsberger on his website here
For many years, advocates for victims of childhood sexual abuse have sought to extend the applicable statute of limitations in Massachusetts, so that recovering adult victims have more time to bring civil lawsuits against their abusers.
The issue came to a head late last July, near the end of last year's formal legislative session. The House passed a bill liberalizing the rules with a few days to go in the session. Late in afternoon, on the very last day of the legislative session, the Senate President convened a discussion on the issue. Watertown Representative John Lawn, a strong advocate for reform, had educated me about the bill, and I spoke in favor trying to find a way to act on it. The Senate President asked me to lead a further conversation to sort out the options.
Professor Marci Hamilton - Reform the Statutes of Limitations on CSA
Keep up to date with efforts to reform the Statutes of Limitations on Child Sex Abuse across the nation
Visit the website of SOL-Reform to find the most comprehensive information about SOLs for child sex abuse for the public, the media, scholars, and survivors. This is an educational project for the media, advocates and legislators in every state related to Professor Marci A. Hamilton's scholarship and public advocacy for victims of child sex abuse.
