Gov. Jerry Brown has rejected a bill that would have given survivors of childhood sexual assault in California more time to file suits against those who could have stopped their abuse.
The bill, written by Assemblywoman Lorena Gonzalez Fletcher (D-San Diego), would have allowed victims to file abuse claims until they are 40 years old. It also would have permitted those who have repressed memories of abuse to sue within five years of unearthing the cause of their trauma.
On Monday, victims advocates said they felt defeated by Brown’s decision.
“I’m exceptionally disappointed that even after the #MeToo movement, after the [Brett] Kavanaugh hearings, that the governor isn’t doing what he can to reduce harm caused by sexual abuse,” said Tim Lennon, president of the Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests.
The California Catholic Conference, which represents the California Catholic Conference of Bishops, said it opposed both bills. The organization contends that such laws place an unfair burden on the accused, who, decades after any alleged abuse, may be unable to furnish witnesses or records to defend themselves.
The California Catholic Conference spent more than $86,000 to fight the bill, according to state records.
Full story at The LA Times.
I agree the accused is entitled to a reasonable opportunity to make a defense. The passage of excessive time may hamper this. However, the popular understanding is that victims often require significant time to be able to bring forth their accusation. I think a compromise time limit seems in order.
The fact the Conference spent $86,000 in opposition may speak volumes. A cheap ‘insurance premium’ against claims for millions years down the road?
After the pro abortion left used Norma Mc Corvey (the Jane Roe in Roe vs Wade) to get abortion legalized by having her lie about being raped, it is hard to believe anything they say. Norma Mc Corvey (Jane Roe) became pro life and admitted that she had NOT been raped but was encouraged to lie to get abortion legalized. She kept her child and later repented lying. At least she did not name the non existent supposed rapist. This is so sad because it makes it hard for those who really have been raped. The only thing as bad as raping a person is to lie about someone raping you. God knows the truth and will punish or reward according. The ex abortionist, Dr. Bernard Nathanson, also told how they had exaggerated the figures about deaths from back…
Continued: alley abortions.
Does anyone remember that back in 2002, the benevolent and concerned [for plaintiff attorneys’ campaign contributions] state legislature already lifted once before the statute of limitations for one year? That was to supposedly bring forth all claims “once and for all” that had been hitherto “suppressed.”
As a result, LA diocese paid out $600 million—-out of funding that might have gone to diocesan schools, Catholic charities, senior programs, etc. Liability attorneys hit the gold mine, collecting 50% (in some cases even more) attorney fees plus costs. There are documented stories in the LA Times of how little trickled down to the survivors. This new scheme is just a plaintiff-attorney and related .org scam
Many long years ago, I was involved in taking Holy Communion to the sick, at my parish. One day, an elderly lady originally from Latin America, called me to her bedside. She wanted to talk. She told me how she had wanted to become a nun, when young– but a well– known priest raped her, in the Confessional, at age 12! No one would believe her, or help her! She later left the Church, got married, and left for America. She had been away from the Church and Sacraments for decades, and would die without them! She was badly hurt! At the time– I had never heard of a priest doing such a terrible thing! I was shocked! I asked the Pastor to go and see her. So sad! People do not realize the full extent of lifelong trauma, that victims of…
Continued… As I was saying– many people do not realize the full extent of the extreme lifelong trauma, that victims of clergy sex abuse crimes endure daily, to life’s end! This situation of extreme suffering, is far worse, than most people may ever realize! We need to do as much as possible, to help these poor, suffering victims!
I later quit Eucharistic Ministry, and parish Ministry to the Sick. I fully believe this to be a sacred duty of a priest. Yes, I know all about the post-Vatican II priest shortage. I mostly do not care much for the post-Vatican II era!!
Linda Maria, I, too, believe that ordinarily it is the sacred duty of the priest, but there are cases when the sick person might be a woman alone most of the time in her home, and it would be better for the reputation of all that a lady take the Sacred Host to her. If a priest takes it, there should be someone else there with her. I have received the Holy Eucharist in hospitals from priests and male and female Eucharistic Ministers. There are reasonable exceptions to good rules.
Linda Maria, I am am sure this poor lady finally got her heavenly reward. May she rest in peace.
This is another reason why one or both parents should accompany their children or teens when they go to confession or make sure others are there.This is also a good reason why all schools should have a “no adult working alone with a child” policy. Other children or another adult should be in all classrooms, or an open door policy if the adult is alone with the child. This protects the child from abuse and the adult from false accusations. Just as adults can abuse, children can lie if they do not like the adult for some reason.