PENNSYLVANIA
ABC 27
[with video]
By Mike Parker
Published: June 7, 2016
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WHTM) — The Roman Catholic Diocese of Harrisburg is preparing to distribute a letter in opposition to child sex abuse reform legislation. The letter takes aim at PA House Bill 1947, which would eliminate statutes of limitations on future child sex abuse cases, and expand statutes of limitations for which both future and past victims of child sexual abuse can file civil lawsuits.
“I can say, regarding the legislation, that the church is not opposed to the criminal statute of limitations being eliminated,” says Joe Aponick, spokesman for the Harrisburg Dicocese. “What we’re opposed to is the retroactive portion of this.”
While HB 1947 addresses all cases of child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania, Aponick says the retroactive portion of the bill is “unfair” due to the potential countless number of lawsuits that could be filed against the church based on findings of previous sex abuse investigations. In most cases, including scathing findings in the Altoona-Johnstown Diocese, the statute of limitations for victims to file suit against alleged abusers has expired.
“Abuse happens everywhere in society, and this is not a Catholic problem,” adds Aponick. “That’s why this legislation is so unfair. Because it just really targets a small section of victims. It really created two classes of victims.”
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