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Subject: Support Legislation to Restore DOJ Victim Services Funding

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Dear [Senator/Representative] [Last Name],

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I’m writing as your constituent to strongly urge you to oppose any  legislative efforts that increase the burden for child sex abuse victims in civil cases, limit evidence available to them, or change the ability of victims to get redress in a timely manner.  

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Statistics related to childhood sex abuse are horrific.  These victims’ rights should be protected, not reduced.

  • 1 in 5 girls and 1 in 20 boys is a victim of child sexual abuse;

  • Self-report studies show that 20% of adult females and 5-10% of adult males recall a childhood sexual assault or sexual abuse incident;

  • During a one-year period in the U.S., 16% of youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized;

  • Over the course of their lifetime, 28% of U.S. youth ages 14 to 17 had been sexually victimized;

  • Children are most vulnerable to CSA between the ages of 7 and 13.

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According to a 2003 National Institute of Justice report, 3 out of 4 adolescents who have been sexually assaulted were victimized by someone they knew well. 

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Legislative efforts to cap damages in these cases only encourage institutions to ignore the harm being done to children. These efforts also   makes it harder for these victims to seek justice.  The Legislature should focus on passing laws that will stop these abuses and subsequent cover ups from happening in the first place, rather than protecting the abusers.

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Please stand with survivors and the organizations working tirelessly to protect them. I respectfully urge you to support this bill and help ensure that justice, recovery, and safety remain priorities in our communities.

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Thank you for your leadership and service.

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Sincerely,
[Your Full Name]
[Your City, State]
[Your Email Address] (optional)
[Your Zip Code]

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