Ohio Senate Bill 17 gives victims of sexual assault effective civil recourse now and in the future.
Dear Representative John R. Wllamowski:
We, the undersigned, being of sound mind and judgement, do ask you to please pass Ohio Senate Bill 17 to the Ohio House of Representatives for a full floor vote, bringing Ohio Senate Bill 17 one step closer to aceiving it's goals.
Ohio Senate Bill 17:
- Gives sexual assault victims effective civil recourse in the future by lengthening the civil statute of limitations to 20 years
- Provides recourse for past victims of sexual assault by providing a one year period to bring a civil claim against their perpetrators if their statute of limitations has expired
- Requires clergy to report the known or reasonably suspected abuse of a minor
- Strengthens the Gross Sexual Imposition language of the Ohio criminal code
- Exposes past sexual predators, ensuring they will not continue preying on innocent people
Representative Willamowski, the effects of rape and other forms of sexual assaults last far beyond two years. The need to give those who have been victimized the opportunity to bring closure to their horrific situations, and to protect children is crucial. Emotional and moral confusion make it extremely difficult to report cases of abuse, particularly when an abuser is a religious figure or a family member. The relationship between abusers and their victims is one of trust and secrecy, and two years is much too short a timeframe for victims to break out of that relationship in order to realize that what happened to them needs to be reported. Oftentimes it takes years for a person to realize that they were not to blame for the crimes committed against them and that he or she will need to seek counseling or therapy and come to terms with his or her abuse.
Representative Willamowski, please lend your support to Senate Bill 17 and encourage the rest of the Ohio Judiciary Committee to do the same. By doing so, you will help to protect children, help to give victims of sexual abuse an appropriate timeframe in which to report their abusers, and give victims an opportunity to seek justice and closure.
Thank you for your time, and thank you for supporting Ohio Senate Bill 17.
