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	VA Lawmakers Extend Sol: SNAP Responds SNAP February 25, 2011 http://www.snapnetwork.org/snap_statements/2011_statements/022411_va_lawmakers_extend_sol_snap_responds.htm Statement by Barbara Blaine of Chicago, president of SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com) We are grateful that Virginia lawmakers are making the state safer for kids by enabling crime victims to expose predators in court. We hope the Governor understands that this kind of reform is a cost effective way to prevent crimes and protect children, and signs the measure promptly We're sad that a few top Catholic officials opposed this sorely-needed reform but appreciate the courageous victims and compassionate lawmakers who supported this law. (SNAP, the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, is the world’s oldest and largest support group for clergy abuse victims. We’ve been around for 23 years and have more than 10,000 members. Despite the word “priest” in our title, we have members who were molested by religious figures of all denominations, including nuns, rabbis, bishops, and Protestant ministers. Our website is SNAPnetwork.org) Contact David Clohessy (314-566-9790 cell, SNAPclohessy@aol.com ), Barbara Blaine (312-399-4747, SNAPblaine@gmail.com), Peter Isely (414-429-7259, peterisely@yahoo.com), Barbara Dorris (314-862-7688 home, 314-503-0003 cell, SNAPdorris@gmail.com) ******** http://www.wric.com/Global/story.asp?S=14134751 Va extends sexual abuse suit deadline to 20 years Associated Press - February 24, 2011 2:05 PM ET RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - The General Assembly has given final passage to legislation extending from two years to 20 the time allowed for sexual abuse victims to sue their attackers. The measure, which evoked victims' tearful and wrenching testimony before legislative committees, passed Thursday in a group of uncontested bills with little debate. The bill doesn't affect the lifetime limit for criminal prosecutions of sexual predators. Initially, the measure would have extended the limit from two years to 25. After emotional hearings on the measure, legislators rejected an effort to shorten it to eight years and set it at 20 years. The Roman Catholic Church lobbied for a shorter lawsuit deadline because of priest sex scandals that have provoked lawsuits nationwide. The bill now heads to Gov. Bob McDonnell, who is Catholic.
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