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	Child Sex Abuse Victims Testify for Extension of Filing Statutes Catholic Diocese Opposes Parts of House Bill 450 By Beth Miller The News Journal June 8, 2006 http://www.delawareonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article? AID=/20060608/NEWS/606080350/-1/NEWS01 Dover -- Jean Lange, of Middletown, had done this a few years before, and her testimony helped the General Assembly decide to remove the statute of limitations for criminal prosecution in cases of child sexual abuse. Wednesday, Lange was back in Dover, one of four victims of child sexual abuse -- all of whom now are adults -- who spoke to the House Judiciary Committee to urge its support of a bill that would allow more time for such victims to file civil lawsuits. Victims, about 20 members of the Catholic lay organization known as Voice of the Faithful, several representatives of the Catholic Diocese of Wilmington, psychologists, insurance company representatives and others interested in the issue packed a hearing room in the Tatnall Building as House Bill 450 got its first public hearing. Delaware law requires a victim to file suit within two years of the time the abuse happened. H.B. 450 would extend the time to six years after the time of abuse, six years after the abuse is remembered or six years after the time the abuse is recognized as the cause of personal injury. The bill also would open a two-year period during which victims whose claims had previously been barred by the statute of limitations could revive their claims. Contact Beth Miller at 324-2784 or bmiller@delawareonline.com. WHAT'S NEXT Discussion of House Bill 450, which would change the civil statute of limitations in cases of child sexual abuse by an adult, probably will return to the House Judiciary Committee's agenda Wednesday. The committee must vote to move the bill to the full House, where it will face further discussion and a vote before it can be sent to the Senate for similar review.
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