Editorial: Extension of Child Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations to Help Many Survivors

The Republic
July 18, 2014

http://www.masslive.com/opinion/index.ssf/2014/07/editorial_child_sexual_abuse_s.html

Massachusetts Gv Deval Patrick with Kathy Picard of Ludlow, who advocated for passage of a bill extending the statute of limitations in civil child sexual abuse cases in Massachusetts. (Submitted photo)

Victims of child sexual abuse now have until they reach the age of 53 to sue the perpetrators of this heinous and all too common crime.

The law, signed by Gov. Deval Patrick last week, extends the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits by three decades. Until last week the statute of limitations expired at the age of 21.

This change will mean that those who are traumatized will have additional time to decide whether to pursue civil litigation, which can be harrowing and difficult at best, traumatizing at worst.

The criminal statute of limitations was extended in 2006 from 15 years after a victim’s 16th birthday to 27 years.

Kathy Picard, of Ludlow, worked for a dozen years to get the law changed, and last week she stood with Gov. Deval Patrick as he signed the bill.

Picard said she told family members about her childhood sexual abuse, which took place from the time she was 7 to 17, and like so many of her generation, she was told to keep quiet.

Congratulations to Picard for her persistence. Her work will help others attain a small measure of justice.

The floodgates are likely to open now, as adult victims pursue justice to right a wrong that can never be justified or fully atoned for or paid for through a legal settlement or penalty.

Ultimately, changing the past would be the only way to fully compensate victims for the damage done to their bodies, psyches and spirits.