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	Senators Barnes & Taijeron Reveal Past Abuse in Support of Bill 33 Pacific News Center February 21, 2011 http://www.pacificnewscenter.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=11680:senators-barnes-a-taijron-talk-about-their-own-&catid=45:guam-news&Itemid=156 [Read Bill 33] Guam - Emotional testimony was heard on the floor of the Guam Legislature this morning as Senator Tina Muna Barnes and Mana Silva-Taijeron revealed that they have been victims of either sexual abuse or a sexual assault. Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz's measure would repeal the statue of limitations for the prosecution of sex crimes involving victims under the age of 18. The measure dominated debate on the floor this morning with Senator's Guthertz, Rodriquez and other speaking out in support of the measure. But it was the emotional testimony of Senator's Muna-Barnes and Taijeron that stilled the Chamber. Senator Muna-Barnes, fighting back tears said: "Its important that this bill passes. I could stand here and talk about what happened to me and my twin sister in the past, but I'm not here about that because my perpetrator is now gone. I always said that if my Dad were alive today things might have been different if I had the opportunity to share that. But no I said I'm going to be the better person. If I'm ever afforded the opportunity in my lifetime to make a difference for somebody than I'm going to do it." Then Senator Silva-Taijeron took the podium saying: "I have often spoken out about domestic violence and being a victim myself. but what I haven't spoken publicly about was the fact that I am also a victim of sexual abuse, a sexual assault, about a year and a half ago. Because this is still a case before the attorney general I can't disclose the details of the situation. But I know as an adult it was difficult thing for me to come out and report the crime against myself. It was very very hard for me to call the police on this situation. So you can only imagine what a child is going through and how difficult it is for a child to come forward and report a crime."
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