Opinion piece: Stark statistics about abuse show the need for new law

Letter to the editor, published in The News Journal, May 17, 2007

We are reminded of some statistics regarding sexual abuse with the University of Delaware’s tragic display, “UD students raise awareness of sexual assaults” (April 26). One in eight Delawareans has been sexually assaulted. One in three rape victims is younger than 13, and one in four is younger than 10 years old. If the UD display tells us anything, it is that our sexual abuse laws, particularly regarding minors, need to be changed as soon as possible. Senate Bill 29 passed in the Senate unanimously and now goes to the House. This bill will allow victims of child sexual abuse to confront their abusers in civil court by removing the statute of limitations and opening the door to justice long denied.

Judy and Mike Lovett, Dover