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	New Legislation to Be Introduced Helping Victims of Child Sexual Abuse WFMD November 26, 2008 http://www.wfmd.com/cc-common/mainheadlines2.html?feed=119935&article=4639362 Statistics show that two out of every ten girls and one out of every ten boys are sexually abused by the end of their 13th birthday. Last night a very emotional discussion was held on protecting children from sexual predators and healing child sexual abuse victims. The national statistics are startling and show that two out of every ten girls and one out of every ten boys are sexually abused by the end of their 13th birthday. Most children who are sexually abused, are abused by a family member or close friend. The meeting was held at the C-Burr Arts Library in Frederick and also featured new legislation that will be introduced next year in Annapolis that will could change the statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims seeking civil redress. Susan O'Brien with Child Victim's Voice said, "The best thing that we can say about this bill is that it will protect children, not only will it give justice to those who have been abused but mostly importantly it will protect children." Currently the statute of limitations for sexual abuse victims in Maryland is 18-years-old plus seven years. The new law would extend the statute of limitations so that the victims of sexual abuse can come to terms with the abuse and take action against their abuser. In California after a similar bill passed legislation, hundreds of sexual predators were identified and removed from the cycle of abuse. O'Brien said, "The number of victims that an average abuser will abuse in their lifetime is 117." Experts say if someone was an abuser at 25 years-old, they are still abusing in their 50's and 60's.
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