The clock is ticking for Pa. Senate

The drumbeat is getting louder.

But is the Pennsylvania Senate listening?

Pennsylvania Attorney General Josh Shapiro, the man behind that damning grand jury report on priest abuse in six Pennsylvania dioceses, today will stand with victims of abuse to put pressure on the state Senate.

Right now there is still no indication if the Senate will take up a bill passed by the House that would open a two-year window for victims of childhood sexual abuse.

The House bill would eliminate the statute of limitations to bring criminal charges in sex abuse cases, and also expand the window for victims to bring civil actions against their accusers, from the current 30 years of age to age 50.

But those are only for future cases. They do nothing to deliver justice to victims from decades ago who have been denied justice because the statute of limitations in nearly all of these cases has long since expired.

Experts indicate that it often takes victims well into adulthood to come to grips with their abuse.

That's why Rep. Mark Rozzi, D-Berks, added an amendment to open the two-year window. It's one of the things that the grand jury - which detailed more than 300 predator priests who preyed on more than 1,000 children for decades, all while the church hierarchy covered it up - recommended in its report.

Shapiro will stand with several district attorneys as well as victims of abuse as a show of support and to urge the Senate to take action on the bill.

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