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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE |
| State Rep. Louise Williams-Bishop
State Rep. Michael McGeehan |
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Bishop, McGeehan joined in battle to protect children from sex abuse
HARRISBURG, Nov. 16 – At an emotionally-charged news conference Tuesday, state Rep. Louise Williams Bishop and Mike McGeehan, both D-Phila., addressed a press conference hosted by the Foundation to Abolish Child Sex Abuse.
Speakers urged the House Judiciary Committee to take action on legislation introduced by Bishop and McGeehan that would open the door for adults to initiate legal action against persons they claim sexually abused them when they were minors.
Bishop and McGeehan are the sponsors of legislation at the center of the call for House Judiciary Committee action.
The recent grand jury report and subsequent charges involving a former Penn State assistant football coach have resulted in an uproar over how individuals and institutions are able to suppress reports and legal action involving child sexual abuse.
The measure (H.B. 832) introduced by Bishop, Democratic Chairman of the House Children and Youth Committee would repeal the statute of limitations in civil suits relating to child sexual abuse cases moving forward.
McGeehan’s bill (H.B. 878) would provide a onetime, two-year window in which victims could bring a civil action against the alleged abuser and the institution if the facility had responsibility or control over the minor at the time.
Bishop advocated for adult men and women who are currently living with the scars of child abuse. She explained how many times abuse comes from those that are authority figures. Bishop said when such a breakdown occurs for the victim, it is difficult to speak out at the time of the abuse.
“Child abuse is destructive and deliberate. It isolates children and terrorizes their souls,” Bishop said. “The legislation currently waiting for action in the Judiciary committee gives victims the ability to come to terms with the injustices against them. It serves as a warning to predators that their actions may go unnoticed today, but their victims will one day find their voice and be able to search for justice.”
As he followed Bishop, McGeehan insisted, “You just heard what truth is.”
McGeehan expressed frustration over statements that adults seeking legal action over sexual; abuse they experienced as a child are just looking for a “payday” through the process.
“They’re looking for justice, not a payday,” said McGeehan, who credited the current controversy at Penn State with providing an opportunity to remove the protective silence that shrouds sexual abusers of children.
“The events of the last week have exploded the myth that has been perpetuated within the newspapers, within the hallways and within the lobbyist community that somehow, this is a problem particular to the Catholic Church or to priests other professions or other institutions.
“Abuse happens every day in every social class, in every occupation. I hope once and for all that the Penn State travesty has opened people’s eyes.”
An array of speakers in support of the legislative initiative urged members of the public to contact the House Judiciary Committee Republican Chairman Ronald Marsico to allow public hearings into child sexual abuse in Pennsylvania and allow committee votes on the Bishop and McGeehan bills that would battle that abuse.
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