Lauren Book says Penn State case highlights need for stronger child abuse reporting laws, stiffer penalties
Child sexual abuse survivor Lauren Book said the Penn State case and other new revelations of alleged abuse highlight the need to strengthen the law to require child abuse reporting and increase the penalties for failing to report.
Book said she will advocate for changes to federal and state laws to clarify that all persons are required to report suspected child abuse, to increase the penalties for failing to report, and to end the statute of limitations relating to prosecution of sexual abuse of children younger than 16, a change she helped to pass in Florida in 2010.
In a new revelation of alleged sexual abuse by an assistant basketball coach at Syracuse University, police previously declined to take action because the statute of limitations had expired, according to news reports.
“There is no statute of limitations on how long it takes victims to heal – that takes a lifetime,” Book said. “There should be no statute of limitations shielding those who sexually abuse children.”
Since the Penn State revelations, allegations of child sexual abuse have been revealed at the Citadel and most recently at Syracuse University. Book said the allegations point to the need for a massive culture change in society’s acceptance of child sexual exploitation and abuse.
“How many more horrific cases like this will it take before our society says sexual abuse of children is unacceptable, and we won’t tolerate it?” Book said. “If we want to challenge the culture, we need to change the law.”
Book was a victim of child sexual abuse at the hands of her nanny from age 11 to 17. Her memoir, “It’s OK to Tell”, empowers survivors to come forward.
“Our message is, it’s ok to tell,” Book said. “For that to be true, people need to be ready and willing to act on information and protect children.”
Book has worked to change Florida law in recent years to better protect victims of sexual crimes, to end the statute of limitations for prosecution of sexual abuse, and to create predator-free zones around schools and day care centers.
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