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	A Bill to Help Sexual Abuse Victims Is Making Its Way through the General Assembly WDBJ February 23, 2011 http://www.wdbj7.com/news/wdbj7-a-bill-to-help-sexual-abuse-victims-is-making-its-way-through-the-general-assembly-20110222,0,7669124.story [with video] ROANOKE, Va. — Monday night, the House Court Committee voted unamiously to increase the time victims can file a lawsuit against their attackers from 2 to 20-years. It's news that has some victim rights groups rejoicing.. Two adult members of a victim rights group brought their message to Roanoke -after testifying in Richmond Monday night. While they rather there be no statue of limitations - they're happy the bill has gotten support. Mark McAllister and Becky Ianni are with SNAP - or ":Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests." Mark and Becky were both abused as children. They say buried memories of that abuse didn't surface until they were adults. "I blamed myself because he was a priest, so therefore- I was the bad person. It took me to the age of 48, five-years ago, to even be able to talk about it," explains Abuse Victim and Virginia SNAP Director Becky Ianni. "That disclosure is a huge amount of healing and being able to expose a perpetrator to get justice is validations by the courts. It was immense in my own personal healing and I think that should be afforded to every victim," says Mark McAllistor, SNAP member & Abuse Victim. The group is asking people contact their local lawmakers and vote yes in favor of this bill. SNAP says there are also confidential self-help groups available for those who have been abused. You can call: 1-877-SNAP Heals or log onto www.SNAPnetwork.org for more details.
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