Below is a message from Joy Evans. She has asked to share in as many avenues as possible.
"Hello,
After many years, tears, thoughts and prayerful consideration I have made a decision. I hope you too, after reading this, will consider a step of action. I do not write this out of malice, pent up anger or a spirit of retribution. I share this at a time when some others are involved in similar battles and circumstances. Many emotions have been vented over this issue. In this, I don’t wish to ‘piggy-back’ anything or anyone and will endeavor to remain focused on the issue at hand.
The issue is child sexual abuse. I was sexually violated by an authority figure as a teenager, and thankfully, by God's grace, I’ve been able to overcome many of the far reaching and painful ramifications that accompany such an experience. Many have not been able to overcome and are still suffering the horrible, rippling repercussions of their ordeal. Unfortunately, there will be many other recipients of sexual abuse in the future who will have to wrestle with this as well. This battle has many fronts and I so desire the healing I experienced to be known by all!
I don’t want this to be about what type church you may or may not attend. This isn't about religion, or the way one was raised. This isn't about placing blame or making any type of an accusation toward a person or an organization. Sadly, sexual abuse happens everywhere and often. Trust me, whether you are aware of it or not, someone you know has been sexually violated. It is astounding!! It has now touched your life because you’re reading this. And, you are now aware of someone who has been affected by this... Me. Sexual abuse shapes a life, but does not need to define it, thank the Lord.
Now to my purpose for writing...Statistically, those sexually abused do not begin to process their abuse until 10-15 years after the abuse occurs. After such a long time, their Statute of Limitations (SOL) has most likely run out. My own SOL “ran out†many years ago in Indiana. Because of this, I began thinking about the possibility of working to abolish the SOL in Indiana. Not for myself, but for others who have been and will be sexually abused. This is one front in the battle against sexual abuse. It is for social justice, permitting the abused the ability to prosecute. Perhaps it will be a preventative as well. Knowing charges could be filed many years after the abuse could cause perpetrators to consider the ramifications of the crime.
So, I started investigating. After many conversations and through various circumstances, an action team has been formulated. Our team was encouraged to utilize an agency called INCASA. (INCASA - INdiana Coalition Against Sexual Abuse). In October, our team met with the staff at INCASA, to brainstorm a plan of action. The state of Indiana is considered “archaic†in this area of sexual abuse. Right now, the sexually abused only have 7 years after the abuse happens to file charges. Because of the "processing" statistic mentioned above, many other states have completely abolished their SOL. This is our goal and it IS doable!! But, it is going to take people like you who care and will be persistently concerned to act when needed.
We humbly ask your help to act. On December 19, we are having an “Indiana Call In Day Of Action†to the State House in Indianapolis. This will take 5 minutes of your day. Our team, and INCASA, are asking you to make one phone call to #317-252-4567 to the office of Governor Mike Pence. Tell him you feel the SOL needs to be removed in the State of Indiana.
Here is an example of what to say...
"I am a part of a large and growing delegation of concerned citizens. Sexual abuse statistics are alarming. The State of Indiana's laws are archaic in response to these figures. Because those who have been abused are prohibited from filing charges, because of current legislation, and for future sexual assault victims, I am requesting the State of Indiana to develop legislation to completely remove the Statute of Limitations regarding sexual abuse."
Your help would be greatly appreciated! I would also ask you to please REPOST this message to your friends and their friends etc…It takes many of us to get attention to make changes!!
Please allow me to introduce you to our team. We each believe in abolishing the SOL in Indiana and also believe we have been brought together for a reason. We want to help those who have been sexually abused.
If you have any questions, please feel free to message any of us. We can’t thank you enough for taking the time to read this AND make that call!
Our team: Rhonda Lee Esq., Katy Hardy, Joy Evans Ryder, Jeff Ross, and Cheryl Colsten."
"Hello,
After many years, tears, thoughts and prayerful consideration I have made a decision. I hope you too, after reading this, will consider a step of action. I do not write this out of malice, pent up anger or a spirit of retribution. I share this at a time when some others are involved in similar battles and circumstances. Many emotions have been vented over this issue. In this, I don’t wish to ‘piggy-back’ anything or anyone and will endeavor to remain focused on the issue at hand.
The issue is child sexual abuse. I was sexually violated by an authority figure as a teenager, and thankfully, by God's grace, I’ve been able to overcome many of the far reaching and painful ramifications that accompany such an experience. Many have not been able to overcome and are still suffering the horrible, rippling repercussions of their ordeal. Unfortunately, there will be many other recipients of sexual abuse in the future who will have to wrestle with this as well. This battle has many fronts and I so desire the healing I experienced to be known by all!
I don’t want this to be about what type church you may or may not attend. This isn't about religion, or the way one was raised. This isn't about placing blame or making any type of an accusation toward a person or an organization. Sadly, sexual abuse happens everywhere and often. Trust me, whether you are aware of it or not, someone you know has been sexually violated. It is astounding!! It has now touched your life because you’re reading this. And, you are now aware of someone who has been affected by this... Me. Sexual abuse shapes a life, but does not need to define it, thank the Lord.
Now to my purpose for writing...Statistically, those sexually abused do not begin to process their abuse until 10-15 years after the abuse occurs. After such a long time, their Statute of Limitations (SOL) has most likely run out. My own SOL “ran out†many years ago in Indiana. Because of this, I began thinking about the possibility of working to abolish the SOL in Indiana. Not for myself, but for others who have been and will be sexually abused. This is one front in the battle against sexual abuse. It is for social justice, permitting the abused the ability to prosecute. Perhaps it will be a preventative as well. Knowing charges could be filed many years after the abuse could cause perpetrators to consider the ramifications of the crime.
So, I started investigating. After many conversations and through various circumstances, an action team has been formulated. Our team was encouraged to utilize an agency called INCASA. (INCASA - INdiana Coalition Against Sexual Abuse). In October, our team met with the staff at INCASA, to brainstorm a plan of action. The state of Indiana is considered “archaic†in this area of sexual abuse. Right now, the sexually abused only have 7 years after the abuse happens to file charges. Because of the "processing" statistic mentioned above, many other states have completely abolished their SOL. This is our goal and it IS doable!! But, it is going to take people like you who care and will be persistently concerned to act when needed.
We humbly ask your help to act. On December 19, we are having an “Indiana Call In Day Of Action†to the State House in Indianapolis. This will take 5 minutes of your day. Our team, and INCASA, are asking you to make one phone call to #317-252-4567 to the office of Governor Mike Pence. Tell him you feel the SOL needs to be removed in the State of Indiana.
Here is an example of what to say...
"I am a part of a large and growing delegation of concerned citizens. Sexual abuse statistics are alarming. The State of Indiana's laws are archaic in response to these figures. Because those who have been abused are prohibited from filing charges, because of current legislation, and for future sexual assault victims, I am requesting the State of Indiana to develop legislation to completely remove the Statute of Limitations regarding sexual abuse."
Your help would be greatly appreciated! I would also ask you to please REPOST this message to your friends and their friends etc…It takes many of us to get attention to make changes!!
Please allow me to introduce you to our team. We each believe in abolishing the SOL in Indiana and also believe we have been brought together for a reason. We want to help those who have been sexually abused.
If you have any questions, please feel free to message any of us. We can’t thank you enough for taking the time to read this AND make that call!
Our team: Rhonda Lee Esq., Katy Hardy, Joy Evans Ryder, Jeff Ross, and Cheryl Colsten."
