Connecticut Bishops say “Hush”

Connecticut State Rep. Beth Bye sponsors a bill would that lift the statute of limitations on sex abuse victims in Connecticut. Currently, a victim has 30 years after their 18th birthday to file charges. The new bill would lift this.

Bye supports the bill because it allows any age group to have access to the courts. Also “anyone older than 48 who makes a sex abuse claim against the church would need to join an existing claim filed by someone 48 or younger.” (CNN article) This is to make sure that “frivolous” lawsuits do not take place.

Connecticut Bishops however have spoken up against this bill. They worry that it would open cases in which "key individuals are deceased, memories have been faded, and documents and other evidence have been lost." (Letter written by Connecticut Bishops) Basically, they don’t want to dig up old skeletons.

I understand that the statute of limitations was put into place to save money. It is so hard to find evidence of a rape that happened over 30 years ago. A lawsuit based on little evidence takes a lot of time and effort and it might not be worth it at all. But any person should have a right to go to trial. This new bill protects this right while saving the extra expense. If a person older than 48 has to join an existing claim, it combines two cases in one. They can still have their case heard but it doesn’t cost twice as much.

I do not agree with the Bishops’ concern. If a person was abused it is not the victims fault and they should not stay quiet about it just to protect the reputation of the person that did it. That person is responsible for his actions. If the victim wants their claim to be heard then it should be heard.



Article Source:



http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/04/11/connecticut.abuse.bill/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29



Picture Source:



http://www.freedomsphoenix.com/Article/050933-2009-05-30-how-a-bill-becomes-law.htm