RALLY FOR TEXAS STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS REFORM
(Media Advisory For February 15, 2023)
SURVIVORS GATHER AT THE CAPITOL TO RALLY FOR TEXAS STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS REFORM
HB206 and SB751 ELIMINATE STATUTES OF LIMITATIONS (SOLs) FOR SURVIVORS OF CHILD SEX ABUSE
What: A coalition of Texas survivors of childhood sexual abuse (CSA) will gather in solidarity at the Capitol to educate legislators and their constituents about the need for SOL reform, giving voice to all survivors in the name of justice and healing.
When: Wednesday, February 15, 2023, 9:00 am to 11:00
Where: South Steps of the Capitol, 1100 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas.
Who: Texas leaders and members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAP); President and members of Survivors of Child Sex Abuse (SCSA); President and members of SOSChildAbuse.org, SexAbuseRegistry, SurvivingScouting.org; Texas CSA survivors and their supporters and advocates. Speakers will include Rep. Ann Johnson, Texas House Member Dist. 134; Dr. Amy Kemter, San Antonio Psychotherapist who works with abuse survivors; Michael Johnson, 28-year veteran, retired law enforcement child sexual abuse investigator, and former director of Youth Protection for the national headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America and Whistleblower; Mr. Joe Alarcon, Kanakuk Youth Camp Survivor Advocate; as well as several child sex abuse survivors.
Why: HB 206,1 filed by Rep. Ann Johnson, and SB 751,2 filed by Senator Pete Flores, permanently eliminate the civil statutes of limitations (SOL) allowing survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) to take legal action against predators, and the institutions who enabled them. It is retroactive, reviving previously expired SOLs. These SOL bills protect our community by exposing hidden predators. They empower survivors--no matter how long ago their abuse occurred--to speak out and get the healing support they need.
Who: Texas leaders and members of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests SNAP); President and members of Survivors of Child Sex Abuse (SCSA); President and members of SOSChildAbuse.org, SexAbuseRegistry, SurvivingScouting.org; Texas CSA survivors and their supporters and advocates. Speakers will include Rep. Ann Johnson, Texas House Member Dist. 134; Dr. Amy Kemter, San Antonio Psychotherapist who works with abuse survivors; Michael Johnson, 28-year veteran, retired law enforcement child sexual abuse investigator, and former director of Youth Protection for the national headquarters of the Boy Scouts of America and Whistleblower; Mr. Joe Alarcon, Kanakuk Youth Camp Survivor Advocate; as well as several child sex abuse survivors.
Why: HB 206,1 filed by Rep. Ann Johnson, and SB 751,2 filed by Senator Pete Flores, permanently eliminate the civil statutes of limitations (SOL) allowing survivors of child sexual abuse (CSA) to take legal action against predators, and the institutions who enabled them. It is retroactive, reviving previously expired SOLs. These SOL bills protect our community by exposing hidden predators. They empower survivors--no matter how long ago their abuse occurred--to speak out and get the healing support they need.
The neuroscience behind the trauma,3 of childhood abuse explains why most survivors of child sexual abuse delay the disclosure of their abuse.4 Trauma causes stress hormones to shut down brain pathways, causing memories to be buried, often resurfacing later in life, with certain triggering events or, ideally, with psychological treatment. The average age of disclosure of CSA is 52,5and with our current laws, most Texas survivors of older abuse are barred from seeking justice in either criminal or civil courts.
The effects of child sexual abuse has been estimated to cost the federal government over $9 billion dollars a year.6 The adverse effects of childhood trauma have been shown to lead to multiple health risk behaviors7 as adults, leading to negative impacts on lifelong health. It is time to shift the cost of child sexual abuse away from victims and taxpayers to the ones who caused it.
The long-term effects of trauma from CSA,8 such as depression, PTSD, chronic anxiety, suicide risk, substance use disorder and autoimmune disease, often keep victims from living a fully functioning life, much less pursuing justice in a timely manner. It should never be “too late” for survivors to speak up to get the justice and the healing they deserve. Our children and our communities are safer with HB206 and SB751.
It is time for Texas to catch up with the neuroscience behind trauma and delayed disclosure and 15 states (and counting) have eliminated the civil statute of limitations for CSA and 24 states have enacted revival or window legislation. Kathryn Robb, Esq. Executive Director - CHILD USAdvocacy said, “It’s high time Texas followed the National movement revival laws…These are not typical torts, we are talking about the sexual assault, rape, and sodomy of children. It’s time for Texas lawmakers to act.” It is time for Texas to be a part of the nationwide movement for statute of limitations reform. Support HB206 and SB751!
We are urging the public to write or call their local Senators and Representatives asking them to support HB206 and SB751. We also urge survivors who have long been silenced to speak up and contact an advocate in Texas (listed below with contact information) for support on their journey to healing.
Contact: Patti Koo, SNAP San Antonio ([email protected] 956-648-7385); Zac Zepeda, SNAP San Antonio ([email protected] 210-317-7511); Lisa Kendzior, SNAP Dallas/FW ([email protected] 817-773-5907); Debbie Dappen, SNAP ([email protected] 877-762-7432); Eduardo Lopez, SNAP Board member, Spanish-speaking, SNAP Houston ([email protected] 832-641-6319); Amber Perez, SNAP Houston([email protected] 512-695-9402); Richard Windmann, Founder/Pres. Survivors of Child Sex Abuse (SCSA) Dallas/FW ([email protected] 682-710-1965) Jillian Corbin, SCSA Austin ([email protected] 737-757-4774); Curtis Garrison, Founder/Pres. SOSChildAbuse, SurvivingScouting.org, SexAbuseRegistry, Dallas/FW ([email protected] (214) 808-2878. Joe Alarcon, Kanakuk Abuse Survivor Advocate ([email protected] 806-672-2019) Marci Hamilton, Esq. CHILD USA, ([email protected] 215-539-1906) Kathryn Robb, Esq. CHILD USAdvocacy ([email protected] 781-856-7207)
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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