With New Abuse Law, Community Must Come Together

Pacific Daily News
September 23, 2016

http://www.guampdn.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/09/23/our-view-new-abuse-law-community-must-come-together/90889884/

Sen. Frank Blas Jr., R-Barrigada, center, speaks after receiving a petition with more than 3,000 signatures from Silent No More campaign founder Joe Santos, during a brief ceremony at the Guam Legislature in Hagatna on Sept. 8. The signatures were gathered in an effort to raise awareness about the removal of the statute of limitations on civil suits regarding sexual abuse of children. Blas, who is running for re-election, introduced Bill 326 to address the issue.

The legislation that aims to lift the civil statute of limitations in child sex abuse cases is now law, and we commend Gov. Eddie Calvo for signing the bill Friday. It was the right thing to do.

Sen. Frank Blas Jr. introduced Bill 326-33 a few months ago, after several people made public allegations of clergy sex abuse.

Catholics and other community members have been divided over the legislation. At issue is an amendment that allows individuals to sue institutions.

Accusers and other supporters of the bill have said abusers and their institutions should be held responsible. The Archdiocese of Agana has argued that lawsuits could push the local church to the brink of bankruptcy.

Roland Sondia, who accused Archbishop Anthony Apuron of molesting him in the 1970s, intends to file a lawsuit.

The signing of the bill "means the island is now a safer place for all of the people of Guam, especially the children," said Sondia, an employee of the Pacific Daily News. "It's not about the money. It's about the church actually taking responsibility and the victims being whole again."

Now that accusers can sue the archdiocese, we urge for calm as lawsuits could rock the church, which has been a cornerstone of the island community for centuries.

But even though the church has done a lot of good for Guam, it shouldn’t be shielded from lawsuits.

We have trust in the legal system. It would be up to a court to decide whether an individual or institution should pay damages. And it would be up to the institution to figure out how to cover damages awards and litigation costs. If an accuser sues the archdiocese and wins, no one should blame him or her for seeking justice.

Now that there is a new path to justice for victims, the community must ensure that it remains open.