New Orleans Rep Jason Hughes (D)
The Louisiana House has unanimously passed a bill extending the period in which victims of child sexual abuse can pursue legal actions against their abusers from 10 to 35 years. Lead sponsor of and New Orleans representative Jason Hughes said the extension is necessary since most victims delay their disclosure into adulthood.
“The average age at the time of reporting child sexual abuse is about 52 years so an average victim will finally come forward at 52 years old,” Hughes said.
The bill provides a list of what qualifies as a “crime against the child” including assault, kidnapping, and criminal neglect. Abita Springs representative Larry Frieman asked Hughes why not eliminate the prescriptive period.
“This bill in its current posture was a compromise between me and the insurance lobby. It was a good faith effort to keep this bill alive to get hopefully something meaningful to the governor’s desk,” Hughes said.
Hughes gave an emotional closing statement on the House floor, telling lawmakers this legislation is on behalf of every victim and survivor of child sexual abuse.
“These victims were robbed of their childhood and many of them robbed of their adulthood. We owe it to them to give them justice and give them closure,” Hughes said.
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