The Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved legislation Thursday removing the statute of limitations for civil actions arising from childhood sexual abuse. Kentucky law currently carries a ten-year statute of limitations. Morgan McGarvey is a Democratic senator from Louisville. He said the average age of those coming to grips with this trauma is 52 years old.
“Think about this, when a child is abused sexually it is often by a family member, a loved one, by a friend and neighbor, a trusted person in the community, whether that’s church, boy scouts, school. To take the courage to come forward takes years,” said McGarvey.
Cal Pfeifer is a member of the Child Sexual Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Board. He supports the measure.
“It provides the means for a victim and survivor to be believed, to have their day in court. It provides validation, potential reimbursement for maybe years of therapy expenses,” said Pfeifer.
McGarvey told the panel several other states have longer statute of limitations, and many have no limit.
