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)

                                         

 

                                                                          


Showing 1 comment

  • Michael McDonnell
    published this page in Media Events 2023-02-14 16:21:07 -0600

SNAP Network is a GuideStar Gold Participant