Social workers support lifting of statute of limitations

By Louella Losinio
Guam Daily Post
June 29, 2016

http://www.postguam.com/news/local/social-workers-support-lifting-of-statute-of-limitations/article_77eab31c-3dd0-11e6-99ff-e38b5115d5c9.html

The National Association of Social Workers, Guam Chapter, has expressed support for Bill 326-33, the measure authored by Sen. Frank Blas Jr. that would amend current law to remove the statute of limitations in civil cases involving child sex abuse.

Craig Burns, NASW chapter president, said the group acknowledges the courage of each and every victim who comes forward, whether in the immediate aftermath of an assault or after many decades.

“Any measure to remove barriers to victims coming forward is a move in the right direction,” he said in a release sent yesterday.

According to Burns, recent events have brought the issue of child sexual abuse and molestation into the public consciousness. “Although the events being reported occurred almost four decades ago, the issue of child sexual abuse and molestation is something that has no time limits,” Burns said.

“The impact of child abuse cascades throughout one’s lifetime with a combination of economic, social, mental health and health consequences,” he said.

Burns also noted that in many cases of child sexual abuse, the attacker is a person of authority. He said “this betrayal” is difficult to process for anyone, especially a child who is naturally trusting and has been taught to believe they are safe with these individuals.

“The current discussion revolves around victims who have guarded their secrets for nearly four decades. The courage it takes any victim of abuse to come forward is to be applauded,” he said.

Burns also urged the community to continue its public discourse, which he described as “primarily one of empathy and concern for the victims.”

He said the discussion of child sexual abuse must continue as additional victims come forward.

“NASW Guam supports an open dialogue about these issues on the family, village, parish and island level. Only by acknowledging a problem and beginning a dialogue can we start to heal,” he said.

Burns said any betrayal of a child’s innocence and trust is an abomination of human trust. “NASW Guam supports an empathetic and supportive approach to the victims in this and all situations. As a community, we must rally together in support of the victims, past and present,” he said.

The committee on public safety and judiciary, chaired by Sen. Frank Aguon, met Monday at the Guam Legislature for a public hearing on Bill 326-33. During the public hearing, alleged victims of Archbishop Anthony Apuron and their supporters urged the passage of the measure.

The bill strikes out the current two-year statute of limitation for civil claims. Should the bill become law, victims of child sexual abuse that occurred on Guam who have been barred from filing suit against their abusers due to the expiration of the statute of limitations would be permitted to file those claims in the Superior Court of Guam.