MEDIA ALERT: CCASA SUPPORTS ELIMINATION OF CIVIL STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR SEXUAL VIOLENCE
SURVIVORS TO TESTIFY IN SUPPORT OF HB20-1296.
What: Survivors of child sexual abuse and sexual assault testify in support of HB 20-1296, a bill that promotes the state’s overall public safety interests, and supports efforts to hold perpetrators of sexual assault—and the institutions that shield them—accountable. Interviews available upon request.
Time: 3 PM
Date: Thursday, March 5th
Location: Colorado State Capitol, House Judiciary Committee – Room 271
Background: The civil justice system can provide victims with the monetary resources necessary to rebuild their lives yet the current statute of limitations for civil actions related to sexual assault sets forth a timeline that has no relation to the dynamics of sexual assault or the challenges that victims face in coming forward. Survivors of sexual assault need time. Traumatic experiences often bring about neurobiological changes that impact memory — many survivors cannot remember or communicate all the details of a sexual assault initially. Survivors need to gather the strength, courage, and support necessary to report the sexual assault and to participate fully in the court process. HB 20-1296 allows child and adult survivors of sexual assault time to heal so that they may access the civil justice system when they are best able to engage without further traumatization. Just as healing from the impact of trauma has no timeline, no expiration date, neither should a victim’s chance at seeking accountability through the courts. For these reasons, CCASA is in strong support of HB 20-1296 Civil Action Statute of Limitations Sexual Assault.
The Colorado Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CCASA) was founded in 1984 as a 501(c)3 nonprofit to be the collective voice of rape crisis advocates across the state of Colorado. Today, CCASA’s membership includes over 100 sexual assault survivors, victim advocates, rape crisis centers, dual domestic violence and sexual assault programs, law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, public health agencies, college and university campuses, medical professionals, offender treatment programs, public officials, as well as other organizations and concerned individuals throughout Colorado. As a statewide coalition, CCASA works in communities throughout Colorado to address and prevent sexual violence by promoting safety, justice, and healing for survivors and fostering healthy, respectful, consensual interactions.
Media contact:
Jolene Cardenas
CCASA Director of Communications & Community Engagement
303.839.9999 (office)
720.330.8922 (direct) –
Jolene@ccasa.org