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Written by Callen Harty
Feb 10, 2012
As men and women of conscience, our legislators must support Wisconsin's Senate Bill 345, the Child Victims' Act. The bill is currently in the Judiciary, Utilities, Commerce and Government Operations Committee, where it was referred after its first reading on Dec. 21, 2011. So far it has not been scheduled for a public hearing.
The bill eliminates the statute of limitations on pursuing civil damages against child sex-abuse perpetrators. Current Wisconsin law requires victims to take action no later than age 35. This bill would remove the age limit.
This is important because many, if not most, survivors do not deal with the issue until well into adulthood. Sex abuse in our society has been shrouded in secrecy and shame, making it very difficult for victims to report it. As children they may be threatened and fearful to tell anyone. As adults there is shame to contend with, along with society's message to let go of things that happened in the past.
As a survivor, I can attest to the difficulty of facing the memories. It took me years of self-examination – exploring and battling my own guilt and shame – before I could face my ordeal. I'm in a pretty good place now, but the shattered pieces of my innocence still lie strewn about my psyche.
Occasionally an emotional shard cuts at me. Like a soldier reliving the horrors of war, many abuse survivors suffer post-traumatic stress syndrome. I have had horrifying flashbacks.
I was in my early 50s before I could publicly acknowledge what happened to me. I wrote a play about it, and that work has helped numerous others confront their own demons. I am very proud of that, but it was not an easy thing to do.
According to the Government Accountability Board, three organizations have lobbied against the bill – the Wisconsin Catholic Conference, Wisconsin Civil Justice Council Inc., and the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance.
The Archdiocese of Milwaukee also spoke out against the bill, saying that it could bankrupt them. But that's a moot point now, because the archdiocese has already filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
The Orwellian-named Wisconsin Civil Justice Council is composed of officers, board members and partners representing the Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, Wisconsin Insurance Alliance, Wisconsin Petroleum Marketers, American Petroleum Institute, Pharmaceutical Research and Manufacturers of America, and others associated with big business. Their goal is to make it more difficult for citizens to bring actions against corporations. If their opposition to the Child Victims' Act is any indication, it appears they will stand against any bill that makes it easier for regular folks to sue for damages.
The third group lobbying against the bill is also a business group, the Wisconsin Insurance Alliance. When big players like these oppose a bill, the lawmakers they write checks to will vote accordingly. That's what happened two years ago when a similar array of moneyed interests lobbied against the prior bill.
In order for the bill to pass this time around, more citizens need to speak up in favor of it, either by attending the hearing – if and when one is scheduled – or by writing or calling their legislators.
Not only will the bill allow survivors to sue for damages, but it will also let child sex abusers know they cannot escape by simply hiding long enough.
Callen Harty is a freelance writer/photographer. He is the co-founder of UW-Madison's 10% Society and of Proud Theater. He was the artistic director of Madison's Broom Street Theater.
