Adult victims of child abuse tell their stories to lawmakers- March 2, 2017- KOLO Ch.8 News-
CARSON CITY, Nev. (KOLO Channel 8 ) – “I was born the youngest in a family of 8, I was easy pickings. I have no memory of my life until I was 14, and this year I finally got it. From the age of 6 my idea of love and relationships is so messed up. Because that’s what I thought love was,” testified Linda Kirkpatrick, a child abuse victim, to the Assembly Judiciary Committee.
Assembly Judiciary members listened intently as adult after adult after adult testified March 1, 2017 about the sexual abuse they suffered as children.
The testimony was designed to encourage members to vote in favor of Assembly Bill 145, sponsored by Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner, a bill which would give these victims more time to file civil suits against their abusers. Right now they have 10 years once they turn 18 to file a civil suit. This bill would extend that to 20 years or possibly longer, depending upon when the injury caused by the sexual abuse is discovered. The bill also covers civil law suits brought on by victims like Kimberly who were forced into child pornography.
Krasner says her bill corresponds to another bill passed two years ago which increased the time sexual assault victims could sue in a criminal case.
Nationally-recognized attorney Gloria Allred testified in favor of Krasner’s Bill; she was in front of lawmakers on March 1, asking them to approve AB 145.
“I have seen the empowerment of such justice can bring to victims, and their families. And how such justice can transform their lives,” said Allred.
