Colorado’s Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act
The Colorado Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act, which was passed in 2021 but later ruled unconstitutional, may have a second chance through a proposed constitutional amendment. The law aimed to provide a legal path for child sex abuse survivors to sue their abusers and the organizations that protected them, even after the statute of limitations had expired. However, in June of this year, the state supreme court declared the law unconstitutional due to the constitution’s prohibition on retroactive justice.
Emphasis on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 5: Gender Equality – The law seeks to address the issue of child sexual abuse, which disproportionately affects girls and women.
- Goal 16: Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions – The law aims to hold perpetrators accountable and ensure justice for survivors of child sexual abuse.
“Let’s just say it the way it was, these people were raped as children,” said Ray Desser, a survivor of child sex assault. “This is about getting those perpetrators who are still in our communities off the street.”
Despite the setback of the law being struck down, Desser remains determined to seek justice for other survivors. He expressed his commitment to continue fighting for accountability even after the ruling in June.
State Sen. Jessie Danielson has taken up the cause and is proposing a constitutional amendment to reinstate the protections provided by the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Act. Danielson, who sponsored the original bill, believes that it is the legislature’s responsibility to ensure justice for survivors and hold perpetrators and institutions accountable.
By introducing a referred measure to change the constitution, Danielson aims to address the provision that led to the law being ruled unconstitutional. The measure would need to pass both the state House and Senate with a two-thirds majority before being put to a vote on the November 2024 ballot.
Ray Desser, who has been advocating for justice for survivors, expressed his excitement about the opportunity to have the issue decided by voters. He believes that the majority of people would support holding perpetrators accountable and removing them from society.
Join us, as fellow seekers of change, on a transformative journey at https://sdgtalks.ai/welcome, where you can become a member and actively contribute to shaping a brighter future.
