[Congressional Record Volume 161, Number 89 (Thursday, June 4, 2015)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E844]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                RECOGNIZING SNAP ON ITS 27TH ANNIVERSARY

                                 ______
                                 

                       HON. JANICE D. SCHAKOWSKY

                              of illinois

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, June 4, 2015

  Ms. SCHAKOWSKY. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize SNAP 
(Survivors of Those Abused by Priests) on the occasion of their 27th 
Anniversary, which they will celebrate at their annual conference here 
in Washington D.C., July 31-Aug 2.
  Founded in 1988 by my fellow Chicagoan, Barbara Blaine, SNAP is a 
self-help support group for those who were sexually violated--whether 
by clergy, family members, trusted adults, or strangers. Barbara is a 
survivor of childhood sexual abuse by a member of the clergy. SNAP has 
become a voice for childhood sexual abuse prevention, awareness and 
healing in our community. Today, SNAP is an international organization 
with members in all 50 states and in 71 countries, with over 70 
chapters organized throughout the United States and across the world.
  Research conducted by the Centers for Disease Control estimates that 
one in four girls and one in six boys are sexually abused before the 
age of 18. Only one in 10 children ever tells anyone.
  The median age when a victim discloses childhood sexual abuse is 40. 
One of the most important public policy developments in this country 
has been the effort to reform the statutes of limitations laws in 
states.
  SNAP is working to bring a voice and justice to victims and survivors 
by working to reform a legal system that has imposed inadequately short 
civil statutes of limitations. Those arbitrary deadlines prevent most 
victims from ever getting through the courthouse doors to present their 
evidence and make their case.
  Typically, victims of child sexual abuse have only five years after 
they've turned 18 to pursue civil legal remedies for the justice they 
seek. That means that after age 23, survivors of childhood sexual abuse 
are prohibited from seeking legal recourse against their abusers, and 
it can mean that child sexual predators are allowed to live freely 
among us.
  In 2013, I am proud to report, the state of Illinois enacted 
legislation to remove criminal and civil statute of limitations for sex 
offenses that occurred when the victim was under 18 years of age. The 
new law removes the statute of limitations for child sex abuse that 
occurs on or after January 1, 2014.
  I want to take this opportunity to acknowledge SNAP and all their 
volunteer leaders, who give so much of themselves to help others. 
Protecting children and preventing sexual abuse of children is a worthy 
effort we all can support.

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