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State Lawmakers Discuss Child Molestation Laws
(IRN)-A state lawmaker was in tears during a committee hearing as she revealed she was a victim of sexual abuse as a child.

State Representative Suzie Bassi made her remarks during a discussion of what schools can do to help such children. Bassi says in her day, people in authority simply patted her on the head and said things would get better.

The sponsor of a bill addressing the prevention of child sex abuse, State Representative Jerry Mitchell, said the days of a trusted relative or other person who is supposed to be in authority molesting a child and saying, "This is our little secret," and nothing coming of it, are long gone.

Mitchell says Chicago based talk show host Oprah Winfrey is interested in the cause and wants to take it national. The Mitchell bill, which sets up a task force, would allow schools to implement policies and age appropriate curricula, as well as train teachers to spot warning signs of abuse.

S.B. 2843 has passed the House, 110-0.

(Illinois Radio Network)
11 22 10 by Newsroom
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