SENATE VOTES TO EXTEND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN SEX ASSAULTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                    Thursday, February 21, 2008

Contact: Senator Lou D’Allesandro

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SENATE VOTES TO EXTEND STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IN SEX ASSAULTS

CONCORD – The Senate voted 24-0 today in favor of a bill to give childhood victims of sexual abuse more time to file civil suits against their abusers. Senate Bill 311 now heads to the House.

The bill extends the statute of limitations from seven to 12 years beyond a person’s 18th birthday, allowing victims more time to file suit over sexual assaults that occurred when they were under age 18. The legislation has the support of more than a dozen organizations in the state that serve children, including the New Hampshire Coalition Against Domestic and Sexual Violence, Seacare Health Services, Girls Inc. and the New Hampshire Board of Pediatricians.

“Sexual assault is difficult to talk about and victims, particularly children, often believe they were complicit in the acts perpetrated against them,” said Senator Lou D’Allesandro, (D- Manchester) who sponsored the legislation. “It takes a great deal of support and strength for survivors to come forward. It often takes years.”

D’Allesandro had originally sought to extend the statute of limitation from seven to 22 years but that was changed in an amendment by the Senate Judiciary Committee. D’Allesandro said the compromise was not all he’d hoped for but it was an improvement over existing law.

“The committee heard compelling testimony of how extremely difficult it is to come forward, especially when the perpetrator is a close acquaintance or family member. We feel the compromise length in the amendment is an excellent step forward in providing civil remedies to more victims,” said Senator David Gottesman (D-Nashua) a co-sponsor and member of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

 “We do not expect flood gates of litigation to open as a result of this legislation,” D’Allesandro said, ‘”but the few it will help will benefit greatly. We are asking that offenders of childhood sexual abuse pay for the damage they have caused.”