PHILADELPHIA – Mayor Jim Kenney continued his vocal support of House Bill 1947 in a letter sent to the Pennsylvania State Senate Judiciary Committee on Monday. HB 1947 would extend protections for victims of sexual abuse. Last month, Mayor Kenney sent letters to State Senators John Rafferty, Daylin Leach and Stewart Greenleaf urging them to pass the legislation. Monday’s letter reads as follows.

“I respectfully urge you to support Pennsylvania House Bill 1947. I understand, in recent days, concerns about its constitutionality have been raised by lobbyists for the Catholic Church. As both a lifelong Pennsylvanian and Catholic, I feel strongly that we must not allow this last ditch effort by the Church to derail a just and long-overdue legislative change.

I know you all have heard many arguments on both sides of this issue, so I will keep the explanation of my support brief. The effects of sexual abuse are felt by victims for their entire lives. The same should be true of consequences for the perpetrators.

For those who would cast doubt on victims who do not come forward until decades after the abuse, it is important to remember that disclosing abuse is deeply personal and often traumatic for the victim. Additionally, for too long in our country, this kind of disclosure was socially stigmatized. Some victims were also threatened with bodily harm to them or their families should they disclose. Given these myriad circumstances, victims should not be punished for taking time to share their stories of abuse. And make no mistake, if we do not pass HB 1947 that is exactly what we as a Commonwealth are doing.

Thank you for your consideration. I look forward to a speedy passage of HB 1947.”