Unfair Legislation – Senate Bill 131 is on the brink of passage in the State Legislature and it is unfair to Catholic Parishes, Schools and Social Service Agencies. This legislation will allow for one year, in cases of child sexual abuse, lawsuits to be brought only against private institutions. It’s true that for many years, our Catholic leaders failed in protecting our children and as a result, many were hurt. The failures of our leaders have damaged the Church not only financially, but in her mission and worse of all, it has hurt our own children. But measures have been put in place to educate church leaders like myself, teachers, volunteers who work with children and their parents. The students are also taught how to speak up and how to protect themselves. So there has been a lot done to prevent harm to our children.
However, this Legislation is unfair for 2 reasons. Firstly, it does not serve victims who were abused in public schools. It protects public schools and government workers from lawsuits filed by victims and it even prevents victims from suing their actual abuser. That’s wrong. If this legislation is meant to serve abuse victims, then it should be written more broadly and not single out only private institutions. Secondly, for the sake of justice, the Statute of Limitation is meant to protect defendants. The Statute was already suspended once in 2003 for one year. With the passage of time, it becomes more difficult for a defendant to disprove a claim. And unfortunately, as we’ve seen from 9/11, to the gas pipe explosion in San Bruno, to the tragic crash of Asiana Airlines last month, there are people who take advantage of a tragic situation to make money. After 9/11 & the San Bruno gas explosion, there were those who tried to pass themselves off as victims to receive compensation. And in last month’s airline crash, two were charged with stealing the luggage of victims. It’s hard to disprove a claim, especially if an abuser has died, or administrative personnel also have died or changed over the years.
So for the sake of justice, I encourage you to please let your Assembly Member know that you oppose SB131. Victims should be served, but private institutions alone should not be made scapegoats. Please
ask your Assembly member know to vote either “NO” on SB131 or to expand it to protect all victims.
Gratefully,
Fr. Dan
Depending on what part of the parish you live, we’re served by either:
Assembly Member Tom Ammiano (Dem) – District 17 (Eastern part of San Francisco)
Capitol Office District Office
State Capitol 455 Golden Gate Ave., Suite 14300
P.O. Box 942849 San Francisco, CA 94102
Sacramento, CA 94249-0017 415-557-3013
916-319-2017
Assembly Member Philip Ting (Dem) – District 19 (Western part of San Francisco)
Capitol Office District Office
State Capitol 455 Golden Gate Ave., Suite 14600
P.O. Box 942849 San Francisco, CA 94102
Sacramento, CA 94249-0019 415-557-2312
916-319-2019
