On behalf of Durango sexual assault survivors, the Sexual Assault Services Organization (SASO) must thank our state lawmakers who voted “yes” in Senate Bill 73 to lift the civil statute of limitations on sexual assault.

As the executive director of this agency, I am confident that these survival-oriented policies will provide a pathway to healing for so many.

We thank Senator Don Coram and Rep. Barbara McLachlan for taking the first step in expanding access to the civil justice system for survivors.

Now we are counting on our lawmakers to support Senate Draft 88, also known as the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act. Child sexual abuse survivors deserve access to the civil justice system and to hold the institutions accountable that at best participated in the abuse and, at worst, helped protect serial sex offenders from accountability.

Senate Bill 88 will not only hold institutions accountable for failing to protect children in their care, but will also incentivize the prevention of child sexual abuse by ultimately holding bad actors accountable.

Sen. Coram and Rep. McLachlan have already taken the first step to support reform of the civil statute of limitations by endorsing Senate Law 73. I hope you will continue your commitment to survivors in Durango by voting “yes” to Senate Act 88.

Laura LatimerDurango