AUGUSTA - On Tuesday, Cumberland County Superior Court Justice Thomas McKeon ruled that a 2021 law removing the statute of limitations for civil claims of child sex abuse is constitutional.
Rep. Lori K. Gramlich, D-Old Orchard Beach, who sponsored the bill that created the law, released the following statement:
"This ruling is great news for survivors of abuse and for everyone who values justice. I introduced this legislation to give voice to fellow survivors, who deserve the opportunity to tell their stories and seek redress through the courts, no matter when the abuse occurred.
"For so many reasons, it is not at all unusual for survivors to wait to report or even never report their abuse. In fact, research shows the average age at the time of reporting child sexual abuse is about 52 years old. Many of the survivors coming forward now are telling their stories for the first time after years of dealing with the aftermath of abuse. Today's decision means they can continue their long-overdue pursuit of justice.
"My message to fellow survivors remains the same now as it was when I first introduced this bill: You are not defined by your abuse. You deserve to be heard and believed. You deserve justice."
Gramlich is a longtime social worker who is currently serving her third term in the Maine House.
Contact:
Brian Lee [Gramlich], 305-965-2744