Survivors of childhood sexual abuse, children protection advocates, parents, teachers, public safety officials, mental health professionals, doctors, nurses and other interested citizens are urged to attend this informational meeting to learn how to protect children from the devastating impacts of sexual abuse and bring justice to those victims who have been abused.

Legislation will be introduced during the upcoming 2009 Maryland General entitled Civil Actions – Child Sex Abuse – Statute of Limitations, which will increase and possibly eliminate the statue of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse to take civil action against their abuser. Increasing or eliminating Maryland's outdated statute of limitations gives child victims of unspeakable sexual trauma the chance to speak up and hold their abusers accountable for their heinous actions.

The bill addresses childhood sexual abuse in three distinct ways: Protecting children from the devastating and long-term impacts of sexual abuse; Exposing sexual predators currently protected by archaic laws; and helping victims of childhood sexual abuse through their healing process.

Childhood sexual abuse continues to occur at staggering levels, regardless of race, religion, culture, education and socioeconomic levels. No child is immune from this tragedy. Estimates from the Federal Bureau of Investigations and numerous academic studies indicate that one in four girls is sexually abused before the age of 18, and one in six boys will have been abused by the age of 18. In most instances, the sexual abuser is known to the child, making reporting and disclosure for the victim extremely difficult. The average child sexual predator will abuse 117 children in his/her lifetime. Most victims never report their abuse and predators know this fact.

The bill, entitled Civil Actions – Child Sex Abuse – Statute of Limitations will help prevent future childhood sexual abuse by exposing the identity of abusers and making sexual predators fearful that they may be reported. Increasing or eliminating the statue of limitations, currently set in Maryland law at 25 years of age and younger, will give child victims the opportunity to identify and hold their abusers accountable when they are ready to confront this abuser – rather than before an arbitrary date set by outdated laws. Most victims do not confront the physical and mental impact of their abuse until much later in life.

Wednesday, November 26 at 6:15 p.m. - 8:15 p.m

Pikesville Library, 1301 Reisterstown Road, Pikesville, MD