In Support of Bill 326

Guam Daily Post
June 27, 2016

http://www.postguam.com/forum/editorial/in-support-of-bill/article_8cf51f70-3c3d-11e6-9f68-efb2f303a124.html

We join those in the community who support Bill 326 which proposes to eliminate the statute of limitations for civil cases involving child sex abuse. We continue to see child molestation as a particularly heinous crime with traumatic, long-term emotional impact. Children are often not able to understand what happened to them or why, and are unable to report the attack. That the attacker is often someone known and trusted by the young victim makes the act that much more traumatic and, we believe, difficult to report.

The bill appears to have been prompted by recent accusations of sexual abuse leveled against Archbishop Anthony Apuron. The accusations involve acts that are alleged to have occurred as long ago as 40 years, as such they are well outside the current two-year statute of limitations. Apuron has not been proven guilty of any crime, but the multiple accusations are of reprehensible acts and the victims should be able to make their accusations in court to be judged fairly. Similarly, it would be fair to Apuron to afford him the chance to face and respond to those accusing him.

In addition to violating every worthwhile moral code, child sex abuse is a grave violation of the law. That Apuron is a member of the clergy should not be relevant to the legal process. Sex abuse is an offense against the entire community, and justice should be in the purview of the community justice system.

Worldwide – outside of Guam – sex abuse of children by clergy has been one of the great scandals of the Catholic church. The revelations not only of the abuse itself, but of the cover-ups and facilitation by those in the upper levels of the church have been shocking and reprehensible. It was not until the abuse was prosecuted by secular authorities that it came to light and was addressed. As an institution, the church was late in addressing the abuse.

While most of the discussion about Bill 326 centered on alleged abuse in the church and Apuron, child sexual abuse certainly occurs outside of the church – in families, schools, neighborhoods and other places where children are present and vulnerable. The provisions of the bill – the extension of the time limit for bringing court action against perpetrators of abuse – are well-suited and appropriate to all such cases.

The Guam Legislature has an obligation to the community to ensure its children are protected from sexual predators, and that justice is served when they are violated. The ability to bring civil action against those who have stolen their innocence and otherwise victimized them so grievously is one step in that direction.