Contact:
Mara Powell
mpowell@kyyouth.org

LOUISVILLE, KY – Today, the House Judiciary Committee demonstrated their support for survivors of childhood sexual abuse with passage of House Bill 472, sponsored by Representative Lynn Bechler.

“The data tells us that one in four girls and one in thirteen boys will experience sexual abuse at some point in their childhood, and there are numerous, complex reasons that some children don’t disclose their abuse right away. HB 472 gives survivors of childhood sexual abuse the opportunity to have their voice heard and for their perpetrator to be held accountable,” said Terry Brooks, executive director of Kentucky Youth Advocates.

HB 472 seeks to extend the statute of limitations for misdemeanor sex offenses involving minors from five years after their eighteenth birthday to 10 years after their eighteenth birthday.

“Survivors of childhood sexual abuse are counting on the Kentucky General Assembly to enact HB 472 to accommodate for those incidences of delayed disclosure. Shame and fear can keep individuals from sharing about the abuse. This measure empowers them to come forward and seek justice, and potentially prevent or end abuse for another child,” said Keith Inman, president of Kosair Charities, which founded and supports the Face It Movement.

Kentucky Youth Advocates and the Kosair Charities Face It Movement thank Representative Bechler for championing this measure and the House Judiciary Committee for supporting its passage today.

Stay up-to-date on Blueprint for Kentucky’s Children priorities and other bills that are good for kids on our Kentucky General Assembly Bill Tracker.

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About Kentucky Youth Advocates
Kentucky Youth Advocates believes all children deserve to be safe, healthy, and secure. As THE independent voice for Kentucky’s children, we work to ensure policymakers create investments and policies that are good for children. Learn more at www.kyyouth.org.

About the Face It® Movement
The Face It® Movement launched in 2013 as an initiative led by Kosair Charities® in response to the number of child abuse deaths in the Commonwealth. Face It focuses on a three-pronged approach to addressing child abuse and neglect: promote best practices in child abuse prevention and intervention, build awareness and engage the community, and advocate for effective policies to improve the child welfare system. Learn more at faceitmovement.org.

About Kosair Charities® 
Kosair Charities enhances the health and well-being of children by delivering financial support for healthcare, research, education, social services, and child advocacy. We envision a world in which children in need live life to the fullest. For more information, please visit kosair.org.