Posted on 01/24/2008 5:53:26 PM PST by Alex Murphy
Colorado's Catholic Church leaders are planning to again fight a bill that would give victims more time to sue predators who sexually abused them as children.
A measure by state Rep. Gwyn Green, D-Golden, would lift the statute of limitations for civil lawsuits for children who suffer sexual abuse from now on. Any past victims for whom the statute of limitations has expired would have a two-year window - starting in July - to file a civil lawsuit against their alleged abusers or any institution that knowingly allowed the abuse.
Ted Thompson, executive director for the National Association to Prevent Sexual Abuse of Children, called on Colorado lawmakers to unanimously pass the bill.
"This issue is black and white," Thompson said. "When it comes to the sexual abuse of a child, a statute of limitation only limits the victims. You limit the person who suffered the abuse and give a get-out-of-jail- free card to the guy who did the abuse."
Under Colorado's current statute of limitations, Coloradans who suffer abuse have six years after they turn 18 to sue their abusers. Children's advocates say that is not enough time because many victims blame themselves and often hide their abuse for years before reporting it or considering criminal or civil action against their abuser.
In 2006, Green sponsored a bill that would have allowed victims unlimited time to file future lawsuits against private institutions if those institutions tried to cover up sexual abuse. The Catholic Church felt it was being unfairly singled out.
The bill eventually was amended to include public schools and governments. Those groups then joined in opposing the measure. The sponsors let their bill die rather than see it weakened.
This year's measure, House Bill 1011, never mentions the Catholic
(Excerpt) Read more at rockymountainnews.com ...
What would you call those folks who actively enabled preying upon the innocent, by covering up known abuses and moving priests about the country to avoid prosecution?
In 2006, Green sponsored a bill that would have allowed victims unlimited time to file future lawsuits against private institutions if those institutions tried to cover up sexual abuse."Whoever causes one of these little ones who believe in Me to sin, it would be better for him if a millstone were hung around his neck, and he were drowned in the depth of the sea."
- Matthew 18:6 / Mark 9:42 / Luke 17:12
How can the innocent defend themselves in such a case?
And, in an age where accusation=guilt (in the popular eye), where do the innocent go to get their reputation back?
What do you call those who level false accusations against the innocent? What does the Bible say about bearing false witness?
I have no use whatsoever for fanatics.
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Quite right.
No!!!!!
Those who are, currently, engaged in such behaviour, maybe ... that's the basis of conspiracy laws. Make sure that your law covers protestant congregations, public schools, youth organisations, everybody.
What you proposed, though, was to pass an ex post facto law. That's unconstitutional, morally reprehensible, and very dangerous.
If a false witness rise up against any man to testify against him that which is wrong; Then both the men, between whom the controversy is, shall stand before the LORD, before the priests and the judges, which shall be in those days; And the judges shall make diligent inquisition: and, behold, if the witness be a false witness, and hath testified falsely against his brother; Then shall ye do unto him, as he had thought to have done unto his brother: so shalt thou put the evil away from among you.
- Deuteronomy 19:16-19
Criminals.
Where you can find proof that abusers were being moved around, without the authorities being aware of the accusations, those people should be in prison. But after a lot of years how do you tell who knew what and when?
They never really do.
The hysteria that follows a potential sexual crime is incredible. Everyone rightfully wants someone punished. However, how many people have been imprisoned in rape cases to later be released when dna proved they were innocent, too many. The same thing applies to clergy that are accused many years later.
You've got to stop assuming that I'm talking about the RCC exclusively. I was very careful not to point a finger. It is a problem that can happen anywhere.
What you proposed, though, was to pass an ex post facto law. That's unconstitutional, morally reprehensible, and very dangerous.
But what about the organization that systematically keeps the criminal authorities from knowing what's being claimed? Should the statue of limitations stop and then start over when this is uncovered. The other question is why wasn't the crime reported to the police in the first place?
Too bad we don't do that.
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