By John Rydell, by Fox 45 News
Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed into law a bill which increases the age victims of child sexual abuse can file civil suits against their abusers.
Current law limits such lawsuits to age 25, but the bill signed by the governor would increase the age to age 38.
Del. C.T. Wilson, a Democrat who represents Charles County, is calling the signing of the bill a victory for victims of child sexual abuse.
Three years ago, Wilson disclosed to his legislative colleagues that he was a victim of child sexual abuse. Wilson says: “I want folks to know they’re not alone; there are a lot of victims out there. It takes a long time to come to grips with what you’re going through. I’m still going through it, and just because the abuse stops, doesn’t mean the damage does.”
Wilson attended Tuesday’s bill signing ceremony at the Maryland State House, where he was hugged by Hogan, who said: “I want to thank Delegate C.T. Wilson for his incredible leadership on this bill.”
Wilson says he will not financially benefit from the legislation but he hopes the new law will help other victims. Wilson says: “Most folks don’t come to grips with what they’ve gone through by age 25. Sometimes it takes having children of your own to realize what you’ve been through and you don’t want anyone else to go through it.”
