Colorado Senate Bill 88 signed into law, allowing victims of childhood sexual assault to hold institutions accountable; SNAP applauds the development
Colorado Senate Bill 88 signed into law, allowing victims of childhood sexual assault to hold institutions accountable; SNAP applauds the development
On July 6th Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed Senate Bill 88 into law. This "window to justice," which will allow victims of child sexual abuse who were assaulted after 1960 to file lawsuits for restitution from public and private entities, will go into effect in January of 2022 and remain open for three years. Private entities could be responsible for up to $500,000 in damages, with a possibility of that amount doubling should the court find that there was any cover-up. Public institutions are only responsible for damages up to $387,000.
We applaud Colorado survivors and advocates for their relentless pursuit of justice in Colorado. Senate Bill 88 received the same bipartisan support that was given to Senate Bill 73, which ends the statute of limitations for all claims of child sexual abuse in the state going forward. That legislation will also go into effect this coming January.
It is a fact that current and past civil laws have protected the wrong individuals and institutions from accountability for their actions. By taking this step to reform Colorado statutes, it will now be possible for more survivors to have their day in court. Some of the costs associated with the lifelong trauma of sexual abuse will be moved from victims and taxpayers and onto the abusers and enablers. But more importantly, communities will be safer as the names of "hidden predators" are revealed.
We believe Colorado is sending a strong message to legislators in other states who are stuck on constitutionality issues or party line disagreements. When it comes to doing the right thing for victims and protecting children, the state took a stand against predators and powerful institutions.
CONTACT: Michael McDonnell, SNAP Communications Manager ([email protected] 267-261-0578), Jeb Barrett, SNAP Denver ([email protected], 720-608-8532), Zach Hiner, SNAP Executive Director ([email protected], 517-974-9009)
Winter Appeal 2023
To our friends,
2023 has been a long year with many ups and downs for us all. As we close out the year, we at SNAP hope that you are feeling like you are on your way to being healthy, fulfilled, and happy. This past year has brought both successes and challenges. Thanks to the support you have shown in the past, we’ve been able to celebrate the good days and weather the stormy ones. Now, we are once again asking for your support as we work to support survivors new and old as we ‘Move SNAP Forward.’
At SNAP we are proud to have hosted a very well-attended conference in August 2023. This event allowed us to gather friends, survivors, advocates, and allies for a weekend of camaraderie and connection. We were so happy to be able to welcome many first-time attendees to gather in person and are already looking forward to the next conference.
To strengthen our movement for justice, healing, and prevention, SNAP will be expanding our peer support and providing more volunteer opportunities in the coming year. Through this great work, we are ensuring survivor voices are represented as we work for significant change that will benefit children and survivors.
Right now, survivors worldwide are getting the help they need from SNAP, and more and more reach out to us daily, but we need your help to keep those programs going and get our volunteers the training they need to thrive.
Your tax-deductible gift to SNAP can help offset the cost of our important mission. If you are not in a position to contribute, you can still support us by sharing this letter with those who can. As we continue to fight for survivors across the globe, your donation or sharing the great work SNAP does will help us continue our work to protect the vulnerable, heal the wounded, and prevent abuse.
Your donation ensures SNAP will be there for those who need us more than ever!
Warmly,
Michael W. McDonnell, C.P.S.
Interim Executive Director
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