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Pennsylvania House of Representatives
https://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/Legis/CSM/showMemoPublic.cfm?chamber=H&SPick=20150&cosponId=17881
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House of Representatives
Session of 2015 - 2016 Regular Session

MEMORANDUM

Posted: March 26, 2015 12:38 PM
From: Representative Thomas P. Murt
To: All House members
Subject: Opening a Two-Year Window on Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Abuse
 
“The sexual abuse and exploitation of children is one of the most vicious crimes conceivable, a violation of mankind's most basic duty to protect the innocent.”
. . . . . . James T. Walsh


In the near future, I will introduce legislation which amends Title 42 (Judicial Code). Specifically, the legislation will open a two-year window in the statute of limitations in civil cases when the cause of action arises out of childhood sexual abuse.

Studies show that not all victims of sexual abuse remember the attacks until many years, if not decades, later. This is well past the statute of limitations that existed at the time of victimization. In addition, as children, the victims may not have had the wherewithal or strength to come forward and challenge the perpetrator.

Please join me in affording a measure to justice to victims of childhood sexual abuse by allowing cases to go forward under the two-year window. Pennsylvania should join the ranks of the four other states that have permitted such a window (California, Delaware, Hawaii, and Minnesota).



Introduced as HB951