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Sex abuse victims to promote awareness of new law

Sex abuse victims to promote awareness of new law They will hand out flyers urging those who were molested to take action Governor just signed measure to help expose predators Self help group wants victims to come forward, get help & protect kids WHATAfter a sidewalk news conference, clergy sex abuse victims will hand out fliers to passers-by about a new state law that enables child molestation victims to expose their perpetrators in court. WHENThursday, March 29 @ 11:15 a.m. WHEREOutside the State Capitol Building, 700 W. Jefferson and surrounding streets in downtown Boise WHO Two-three clergy sex abuse victims who belong to a support group called SNAP (Survivors Network of those Abused by Priests, SNAPnetwork.org), including a California woman who is the organization's long-time western regional director WHY Idaho Governor C.L. "Butch" Otter just signed Senate Bill 125 which extends the civil statute of limitations on child sex crimes. Specifically, it lets those who were molested as kids file lawsuits against anyone who employed the sex offender who hurt them, within five years of the time the child discovers or should have discovered that the crime caused or is causing harm. (See Twin Falls Times-News, Id-Mar 14, 2007),http://www.ktvb.com/news/localnews/stories/ktvbn-mar1407-sex_abuse_bill.126529b6.html Many who were raped or sodomized during childhood take years, even decades, to understand that the severe trauma they suffered as kids is still causes serious harm to them as adults. This 'victim-friendly' measure, similar to laws passed elsewhere, will mean that more child predators who may not be criminally charged can still be civilly sued.http://www3.state.id.us/oasis/H0125.html It is SNAP leaders' understanding that two senators who sponsored the bill will speak at the news conference about the new law. SNAP plans to give awards of appreciation to both senators for reaching out to victims and protecting kids. SNAP leaders will pass out flyers about the new law to the public after the news conference at nearby surrounding streets. The group hopes to persuade people who witnessed, experienced or suspect abuse to come forward, expose molesters and protect kids. CONTACTMary Grant of Long Beach, SNAP Western Regional Director 626 419 2930 cellTim McKenna, SNAP Idaho Director 208 757-0503 cellDavid Clohessy of  St. Louis, SNAP national director 314 566 9790 cell 



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