[Congressional Record Volume 140, Number 6 (Tuesday, February 1, 1994)]
[House]
[Page H]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[Congressional Record: February 1, 1994]
From the Congressional Record Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]

 
  STATES ENCOURAGED TO ENACT LEGISLATION TO COMBAT CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE

  (Mrs. SCHROEDER asked and was given permission to address the House 
for 1 minute and to revise her remarks.)
  Mrs. SCHROEDER. Mr. Speaker, sexual abuse is a crime that devastates 
a child's life. For many children it is a reality. The trauma these 
victims face doesn't end when they reach adulthood. The road to 
recovery is excruciatingly long and often stretches far into adulthood.
  Because the trauma is so severe, many survivors involuntarily repress 
the memories of the abuse until years later, and are, therefore, 
physically and emotionally unable to face their perpetrators until 
years later. Unfortunately, by the time survivors are able to confront 
their abusers, they are legally unable to prosecute or sue them.
  Just as an abuser takes the control and power from the child, unduly 
short statutes of limitations take the control and power from the 
adult, by denying the survivor access to the courts.
  For these reasons, I am introducing this resolution encouraging 
States to take action to right these wrongs. It recommends that States 
enact comprehensive legislation that affords victims of childhood 
sexual abuse access to civil courts and consider legislation allowing 
criminal prosecution based on the evidence offered by adult survivors. 
In addition, it states that the Department of Justice should cooperate 
with and assist adult survivors by gathering data on State activities 
in this area.
  Protecting our children from sexual abuse is of utmost importance, 
but so is ensuring that the children we failed to protect have access 
to the courts as adults.

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