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	Anti-Abuse Network Pushes Bill By Dan Ring dring@repub.com The Republican March 17, 2006 http://www.masslive.com/hampfrank/republican/index.ssf?/ base/news-3/114258493011680.xml&coll=1 BOSTON - Advocates from Western Massachusetts are pushing for approval of bills that would abolish the statute of limitations in criminal and civil cases involving the sexual abuse of minors. Supporters packed Beacon Hill on Wednesday for a hearing on the bills by the Judiciary Committee. Backers said they are optimistic that the bills can pass if the full Legislature votes before formal sessions end on July 31. Approval of the bills would help a lot of people, said Peter C. Pollard, 54, of Hatfield, coordinator in Western Massachusetts for the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests. Pollard said he was sexually abused by a priest when he was an altar boy in Marblehead in the 1960s, and received part of a landmark settlement with the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Boston in 2003. One bill would eliminate the 15-year statute of limitations for rapes and other serious sex crimes against children. "It would give people the opportunity to come forward and hold people accountable for the harm they caused, and to start healing," said Pollard yesterday. The bills have failed in past years, but are drawing support from such political leaders as Attorney General Thomas F. Reilly and Gov. W. Mitt Romney. Legislators may also want to act in the wake of the Roman Catholic Church's struggle to deal with sexual abuse. Kathy Picard, 43, of Ludlow said she was traumatized by a man who sexually abused her when she was between 5 and 17 years old. She said she was in her 30s before she realized what had happened to her. "You're told by an abuser to shut your mouth, no one will believe you, it's our secret," said Picard, a clerical worker for a communications company who has been fighting for a decade to eliminate the statute of limitations in criminal and civil cases involving sex abuse of children. Under current law, the statute of limitations for criminal sexual abuse ranges from six to 15 years after the crime was committed, according to the Coalition to Reform Sex Abuse Laws in Massachusetts. Prosecutors may not charge suspects if a sex crime against children happened 15 or more years ago. Civil lawsuits for financial damages must be filed within three years of the act, three years from age 18, or three years from the time the victim discovered an emotional or psychological injury was caused by the act, said the coalition. Steven A. Krueger, 54, of Boston, a spokesman for the coalition, said that approval of bills would send a message that the sexual abuse of children is unacceptable and that the state has "zero tolerance" for such abuse. It is unclear if the bills will be approved this year. Rep. Eugene O'Flaherty, D-Chelsea, co-chairman of the Judiciary Committee, has raised doubts about the bills, but has taken no public positions. The bills have 73 sponsors in the House and the Senate. Backers are optimistic that the measures will be approved if they gain votes in the full Legislature. Supporters are also urging approval of a bill to lift the $20,000 limit on liability for churches and non-profit organizations. A bill by Rep. Ronald Mariano, D-Quincy, would kill the $20,000 ceiling only for cases of sexual abuse of a minor.
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