We may be justified in saying that sexual abuse was not reported because families wanted to avoid an embarrassment and a scandal, especially when the perpetrator is a well known person in the community. But the truth of it is that until 1990 here on Guam, little could be done when a report was made. Why?
According to 19 GCA Personal Relations, Chapter 13, the CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT, was added as Title 10 GCA, Chapter 88 by P.L. 20-209:5 on Aug. 22, 1990. (Pursuant to the authority granted by 1 GCA § 1606, this Chapter was recodified to Title 19, Personal Relations.) Article 3 refers to the Child Protective Services and Section 13301 Authorizes the Department to Act. . .ONLY in 1990 ! !
In retrospect, I can now fully understand the confusion and futility one feels when a person reports someone for sexual abuse before 1990. I am reminded of a conversation years ago with a friend; she told me that in the late 1980s, her daughter confided to her that her daddy had touched her. This woman evidently found a number to call, but all the father was subjected to were two or three consultations with a Psychologist!! Honest! He was never picked up for questioning! That was it! Today, there is an attempt to force perpetrators to be accountable no matter when the abuse occurred. There is a Petition circulating to remove the statute of limitations, so please support the effort and sign the petition. Will anyone remind us where we can download the petition? Or individuals we can contact?
YES. Contact Joe A. Santos (spearheading the petition project) or any CCOG or LFM member or affiliate. You can contact me too at . Thank you. The petition is a non-sectarian issue, and can be signed not just by Catholics, but by any concerned citizen. (jrsa: 4/29/16)
YES. Contact Joe A. Santos (spearheading the petition project) or any CCOG or LFM member or affiliate. You can contact me too at . Thank you. The petition is a non-sectarian issue, and can be signed not just by Catholics, but by any concerned citizen. (jrsa: 4/29/16)
We may be justified in saying that sexual abuse was not reported because families wanted to avoid an embarrassment and a scandal, especially when the perpetrator is a well known person in the community. But the truth of it is that until 1990 here on Guam, little could be done when a report was made. Why?
ReplyDeleteAccording to 19 GCA Personal Relations, Chapter 13, the CHILD PROTECTIVE ACT, was added as Title 10 GCA, Chapter 88 by P.L. 20-209:5 on Aug. 22, 1990. (Pursuant to the authority granted by 1 GCA § 1606, this Chapter was recodified to Title 19, Personal Relations.) Article 3 refers to the Child Protective Services and Section 13301 Authorizes the Department to Act. . .ONLY in 1990 ! !
In retrospect, I can now fully understand the confusion and futility one feels when a person reports someone for sexual abuse before 1990. I am reminded of a conversation years ago with a friend; she told me that in the late 1980s, her daughter confided to her that her daddy had touched her. This woman evidently found a number to call, but all the father was subjected to were two or three consultations with a Psychologist!! Honest! He was never picked up for questioning! That was it! Today, there is an attempt to force perpetrators to be accountable no matter when the abuse occurred. There is a Petition circulating to remove the statute of limitations, so please support the effort and sign the petition.
Will anyone remind us where we can download the petition? Or individuals we can contact?
YES. Contact Joe A. Santos (spearheading the petition project) or any CCOG or LFM member or affiliate. You can contact me too at . Thank you. The petition is a non-sectarian issue, and can be signed not just by Catholics, but by any concerned citizen. (jrsa: 4/29/16)
ReplyDeleteYES. Contact Joe A. Santos (spearheading the petition project) or any CCOG or LFM member or affiliate. You can contact me too at . Thank you. The petition is a non-sectarian issue, and can be signed not just by Catholics, but by any concerned citizen. (jrsa: 4/29/16)
ReplyDeletePlease contact Joseph A Santos at
ReplyDelete2silentnomore@gmail.com