Statutes of limitation reform for childhood sexual abuse is a being debated again this legislative session. Senate Bill 261, which passed the Senate without opposition (48-0) in February, prospectively abolishes the criminal statute of limitation and would allow survivors to file civi

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives adjourned for the summer without taking further action on House Bill 1947. The initial bill passed by the House in April proposed to remove the criminal statute of limitations (SoL) for childhood sexual abuse, raise the civil SoL from age 30 t

Update: On June 30, the Senate voted 49-0 in favor of the amended House Bill 1947 described below. The bill now goes to the House of Representatives for concurrence. The Pennsylvania Senate Judiciary Committee took action on House Bill 1947 today. With an 8-4 vote the committee amende

The Senate Judiciary Committee today was scheduled to hear from several witnesses on whether House Bill 1947 violates Pennsylvania’s Constitution, which prohibits the General Assembly from retroactively altering statutes of limitations to revive causes of action that have expired. “I

Send a message to your legislators about House Bill 1947. The Catholic Church has learned hard lessons regarding child sexual abuse and has taken responsibility for the abuse that has occurred within its ranks.  The dioceses across Pennsylvania have implemented changes that offer assi

“I am deeply sorry. God weeps,” said Pope Francis last September after meeting with several sexual abuse survivors during his visit to Philadelphia. All of us in the Catholic community must do what we can to understand the pain, anger, and isolation experienced by a surviv

Our Catholic dioceses have implemented significant changes to aid abuse survivors and affirm that they are not at fault for the crime committed against them. The Church has a sincere commitment to the emotional and spiritual well-being of individuals who have been impacted by the crim

This letter to the editor first appeared at www.pennlive.com  The Catholic Church has learned hard lessons regarding child sexual abuse and has taken responsibility for the abuse that has occurred within its ranks. The dioceses across Pennsylvania have implemented changes that offer a

UPDATE: On Tuesday, April 12, 2016, the Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed House Bill 1947, a proposal to remove the criminal statute of limitations (SoL) for childhood sexual abuse and raise the civil SoL from age 30 to 50 moving forward.  It also retroactively extends the