Recently the news has focused on the horrendous situation with USA women’s gymnastics coaches and team doctor Dr.Larry Nassar. Despite many people being aware of ongoing sexual abuse of gymnasts as young as 8 years old, nothing was done to stop these predators.
Now, 20 years later, more than 260 brave women have come forward with their own distressing accounts of sexual abuse by USA gymnastics coaches and Dr. Nassar.
Many of these former child athletes only now have found the inner courage to stop blaming themselves and speak openly about what happened to them as children. While we can’t turn back time, we can help others that were abused as children. Many children do not understand that what happened to them was abuse, until they become adults.
Up until last year, child victims of sexual abuse in Nevada had only 10 years to sue the predators that abused them as children. During the 2017 Nevada Legislative session I introduced Assembly Bill 145 and the members of the Nevada Legislature unanimously approved it.
AB 145 extends the period from 10 years to 20 for a victim who was sexually abused as a child to sue for damages. This extra time will allow child victims the opportunity to get justice and closure.
Governor Sandoval signed my bill into law in a moving ceremony attended by adults who were child victims of sexual abuse and their families.
Last week, Congress passed the Protecting Young Victims from Sexual Abuse and Safe Sport Authorization Act of 2017. This bipartisan legislation requires governing bodies for amateur athletics to report abuse clams to law enforcement. Failure to do so can potentially lead to prison terms.
We must all strive to ensure the safety of our children. They are the future of our state and our country.
Assemblywoman Lisa Krasner represents District 26 in the Nevada Legislature.
