BishopAccountability.org
	Remove Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse Bandera Bulletin [Texas] June 22, 2006 http://www.banderabulletin.com/articles/2006/06/14/news/letters/800.txt In light of all the press on child sexual abuse, people need to be aware that there is a Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse in most states. Texas has such a law...10 years after the child's 18th birthday. By nature, the crime of child sexual abuse is typically reported decades later. It takes time for the victims to come to terms with their pain, fear, shame and confusion. Couple this with the fact that the offenders/predators take extreme measures that enable them to avoid detection. The predators generally have the advantage of age, power, and position of authority and can threaten their victims in a way that makes a psychological imprint for decades. Pedophilia is an incurable condition and these criminals usually have dozens of victims in their lifetimes. By eliminating the Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse, this can aid in stopping serial abuse. The Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse leaves many victims out in the cold when they are finally able to come to terms with their abuse. As long as there is a Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse, these criminals are allowed, by law, to walk free and suffer no punishment whatsoever. The victims suffer the consequences for their abuser's actions. Why should a predator be able to relax? I can assure you that their victims are never afforded that luxury. Victims deserve to have the liberating experience of having their claims vindicated in a neutral forum, on their own time. Victims deserve to have the legal system stand behind them as they search for some measure of justice and closure. By eliminating the Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse in Texas, this will ensure that these criminals are never "off the hook" in this state. This will keep the window open, at least. It will allow victims a chance to bring civil claims against their abusers. I would strongly urge all citizens of Texas to speak out against this law. Write and address this issue to our Congressmen and Senators of our state. Shame them into eliminating this Statute of Limitations on Child Sexual Abuse. To have such a law is criminal in itself. No one guilty of such a heinous crime should ever be permitted to feel that they are safe from prosecution or liability. Cynthia Miles Hatfield Survivor of child sexual abuse Harlingen
Any original material on these pages is copyright © BishopAccountability.org 2004. Reproduce freely with attribution.