The Newsplex
February 3, 2011
http://www.newsplex.com/home/headlines/Locals_Respond_to_State_Senates_Vote_on_Statute_of_Limitations_115153604.html
 |
The Virgina State Senate adopted an amendment that allows child sex abuse victims to push for the prosecution of their abusers up to 20 years after the incident occurred.
Senator Creigh Deeds (D.-Bath) and 37 others voted to increase the statute of limitations from two years to 20 years. Deeds represents Charlottesville in the Senate.
"This is a huge victory for child abuse victims and now we hope that the House will rise to the occasion," said Charlottesville's Camille Cooper of the Association to Protect Children.
Cooper has worked on the bill for six months.
"The last thing you want to say to somebody who was traumatized and abused as a child is that you have until you are 26-years-old and then we're going to close the door on you," said Cooper.
Senator Chap Petersen (D.-Fairfax) wanted the statute of limitations to end after eight years. In a letter, he wrote that increasing the statute of limitations would leave ample opportunity for fraud and blackmail.
"I don't know what he's basing that on and I'm sure his comments were really hurtful," said Cooper.
Cooper argues that the Senate has stood up for child sex abuse victims, and now it is the House of Delegates' turn.
"We hope that once it goes to conference with the House, that the House will rise to the occasion," said Cooper.
The delegates could discuss the amendment this week.
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.