Bill Extending Statute of Limitations for Sex Abuse Victims Becomes Law

WGGB
June 27, 2014

http://www.wggb.com/2014/06/27/bill-extending-statute-of-limitations-for-sex-abuse-victims-becomes-law/

[with video]

A new bill has been signed into law by Governor Deval patrick that extends the statute of limitations for sex abuse victims to file lawsuits against their abusers.

A local woman, Kathy Picard, has been fighting for the change for over a decade.

For Picard, this pen used by Governor Patrick, signifies 12 years of hard nosed work.

“It’s been emotionally up and down, but now it’s awesome. It’s just truly amazing,” Picard explains.

The new statute of limitations law was signed after it unanimously passed the House and Senate. It allows any sex abuse victim up to the age of 53 to file civil charges against their alleged abuser.

“There are people that say that a survivor is not going to get day in court, let perpetrator prove that they did not do what they did.”

A victim herself from ages 7 to 17, Picard filed suit against her stepfather Thursday.

Picard’s attorney, John Stuart, adds, “Hopefully she will be an example to show people that that avenue, for people that have been locked out, can now come forward and seek remedy from the court.”

Picard says now that the bill is on the books, there’s one that she wants all other survivors and victims out there to know.

“What happened to you is not your fault. If you were told that you can not go forward with the case, you now have an additional ten years. Please go forward to stop these perpetrators from harming other children,” Picard says.

Picard plans to celebrate the new law with a reception on August 23 at Samuel’s Sports Bar at the Basketball Hall of Fame. For more information or if you would like to attend, you can e-mail Kathy Picard. kathychildadvocate@gmail.com