Letters to the Editor - Sex abuse survivors need compensation, however late

Letters:

Sex abuse survivors need compensation, however late

Baltimore Examiner - June 13, 2008

One has to wonder how many other children Alan Beier might have molested. ("Former teacher gets four years for sex abuse of student," June 9)

We all have to realize that the majority of offenses committed against our children are never reported. If they are reported, it will not be until many years later. The majority of survivors don't come forward until they are in their 40s, 50s or beyond.

Maryland is one of the few states that has no statute of limitations on criminal charges being pressed against an alleged sex offender. However, it does have an archaic limitation for survivors of child sexual abuse to file a civil suit. We have to remember most of those who were molested do not realize how it has affected their lives until they have lived them. Survivors of child sexual abuse need to be compensated for their pain and suffering. Maryland needs to abolish the statute of limitations retroactively. There also should not be any financial caps on compensation.

Vicki Polin

Founder and Executive Director

The Awareness Center, Inc.

Baltimore, MD