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The Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests

SNAP Press Release
Giving Voice to Victims

For immediate release:
Tuesday, November 4, 2008

SNAP Mexico presents Federal Initiatives to reform Federal Laws

Mexico City, Mexico

SNAP Mexico presented various Federal Initiatives with Deputy Claudia Cruz on Monday, November 3, 2008 to reform Federal Laws that will: define “Abuse of Minors” under 18 years of age; increase jail time for convicted child molesters; establish mandatory reporting laws in both the public and private sector; establish laws and consequences for those persons and/or public or private institutions that cover-up abuse; increase civil monetary penalties for offenders and those that cover them up; establish rights of legal procedure for victims who report crimes; establish procedures for the Federal Attorney General’s office to handle cases of child sexual abuse; the elimination of the statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse; amongst others.

The reforms call for a change in: the Federal Penal Code; the Federal Penal Procedures Code; The Organic Law of the Federal General Attorney’s Office; Federal Law against Organized Crime; Law for the Protection of the Rights of Girls, Boys and Adolescents; General Law of Health; General Law of Education; Law of Religious Associations and Public Worship; The Federal Consumer Protection Law; and, the Regulatory Law of the 5th Amendment of the Constitution, relating to the Exercise of Professions in the Federal District (Mexico City). 

SNAP Mexico worked hand in hand with victims, their families, child advocate organizations, civic organizations, volunteer attorney’s and representatives of Federal Deputy Claudia Cruz to establish these initiatives and present them to the Mexican Congress.

We urge all victims, families, international organizations and the media to take note of these initiatives and make every effort to contact Mexican Legislators in order to have these initiatives approved before the current congress adjourns.

We have attached the outline (in Spanish) of the current law as it stands with the proposed changes. We have also included a Spanish Decree that was introduced with the bill that outlines the background of these initiatives based on international data, victim experiences, current legal challenges and social consequences of the lack of these laws in Mexican Society.

SNAP Mexico has launched an outreach campaign to Federal Legislators & Congressional Commissions in order to have them hear directly from victims and families regarding the importance of these initiatives.

To help, or for further information, please contact Eric Barragan at (805)207-7424(US) or Joaquin Aguilar Mendez at (55) 1993-3681(Mexico City) or email us at [email protected].

Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests
www.snapnetwork.org