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Petition
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We, the undersigned citizens of Kansas, believe that Kansas criminal law should hold incestuous acts perpetrated against any child under the age of 18, by an adult family member, as a level 1 personal felony with a punishment equal to that for forcible rape of a child in a non-familial relationship. Currently, the only incest law for Kansans under age 18 covers children ages 16 & 17 carries only a level 5 or 7 personal felony, and frequently results in probation or dismissal.
We further believe that Kansas civil law should revise the current statute of limitations on all types of childhood sexual abuse from 3 years to 23 years after the child victim attains age 18 in order to give that victim the time necessary to reach a point in their recovery where they are able to proceed with a civil court case to recover damages and find some closure.
Revisions to two Kansas Statutes, 21-3603 (aggravated incest) and 60-523 (statute of limitations on childhood sexual abuse) are being presented to the State Legislature during the 2007 session which provide for the above changes. We ask that you pass these revisions so that all Kansas children will have a better chance to pursue civil remedy and so that children of incest will have criminal recourse against a devastatingly criminal act.
Long term psychological and physical damage is done to sexually abused children. It is past time Kansas treated perpetrators of incest the same as we do any sexual predator—imprisonment, and, it is time we institute a statute of limitations that is realistic for the circumstances.
We protect our children against so many things but fall so short in this area. We teach them about “stranger danger” but look the other way when the danger occurs in the home.
Over eighty percent of all childhood sexual abuse is perpetrated by either a family member or trusted authority figure. And yet, we do not have a strong law to deal with incest.
Many adult survivors of childhood sexual abuse are struggling and are unable, emotionally or financially, to pursue a civil case within the current three-year statute of limitations.
We must do better. Please pass these two laws when they come before you.
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Please read the following petition and, if you agree with it, fill out the form at the bottom and submit it. This information will be gathered and submitted, with the petition, to the Kansas Legislature. Please sign the petition only once. Learn more about our organization and about what is behind this legislation by perusing our entire website. Please tell your Kansas friends, relatives, acquaintances and colleagues about the petition and where to access it: www.area-ks.net. Thank you for your interest and concern.Enter "Not Applicable" if you do not have an email address
