Reacting to the Passage of the Pennsylvania Budget Without a Window to Justice
Following the Pennsylvania House approving the state budget plan last night, which failed to include a key campaign promise of Governor Josh Shapiro – a statute of limitations window for child sex abuse survivors, Marci Hamilton, founder & CEO of CHILD USA and a leading legal expert on the prevention of child sexual abuse – released the following statement in response:
“While we commend Governor Shapiro for keeping the issue of the statute of limitations window for child sex abuse survivors on his agenda, it is extremely disappointing that the window was not included in the state budget proposal passed yesterday. This omission is a disheartening blow to the thousands of survivors who have fought tirelessly for their voices to be heard and played a pivotal role in helping him secure his position.
Governor Shapiro’s groundbreaking 2018 Grand Jury Report on Catholic dioceses exposed the horrors of institutional child sex abuse, capturing the attention of the world. However, its impact on the cause is diminished if survivors throughout the Commonwealth are not afforded access to justice now. Pennsylvania has already endured an alarming number of institution-based child sex abuse cases, and those are the ones we know about. A window will be every parent’s best tool as it identifies the hidden predators operating in secret right now, making it imperative the window be enacted now.
Including the statute of limitations window in the budget is not just a symbolic gesture—it is a tangible act of acknowledging their pain, validating their experiences, and ensuring their voices are heard. Governor Shapiro must recognize that the window legislation is not a political bargaining chip, but a lifeline for survivors who have endured unimaginable suffering, including their long wait for justice. We urge him to demonstrate an unwavering commitment to justice by taking action these next two weeks to include the child sex abuse statute of limitations window in the budget. The survivors who have tirelessly fought for justice deserve.”