Coming Out of The Shadows: The Child Victims Act

The Child Victims Act has been passed in Minnesota. For the next three years, anyone who was abused as a child will be able to bring a claim against those who abused them. There will be those who will still be too ashamed or scared to come forward. That is the very reason why the bill became law.

Those who did the abusing were experts at using the very religion they represented to hide their crimes. They feed off the misuse of the word of God to convince the survivor that they were the one who was wrong, that they wouldn’t be believed, and that they had to remain silent.

There are solutions. Any discussion with a lawyer about your case is confidential. So no one will have to know that you came forward with questions. There are also ways to bring the claim so that the person isn’t victimized again. The first case was brought in the name of a John Doe to protect their identity. There was no press conference they had to attend or interview of them by the press.

It is clear that there are many survivors helped when they finally get a chance to tell their story. To be heard and believed. To address those who did them harm. However, that isn’t the way for everyone.

If you , someone you know or suspect was abused, this is a chance to really get help. To deal with professionals who can help you.

As the Post Bulletin wrote:

But those who summon the courage to face their abuser(s) should have the opportunity to seek their day in court. Time doesn’t heal all wounds, and abusers and the organizations that protect them shouldn’t escape justice merely because of dates on a calendar.

Abuse of children and the continued silence by the offenders needs to be prevented. If you suffered, saw, or suspected such events, it is important to know that there is help out there.