By Brandi Neal
Staff Writer
    Biddeford native Harvey Paul, a victim of childhood sexual abuse at the hands of a priest, might never face his abuser in a court of law, but if LD 178 is passed he and countless other abuse survivors may have the opportunity to file a civil suit. The legislation sponsored by Sen. Ethan Strimling (D-Portland) and Sen. Bill Diamond (D-Windham) could provide a two-year look back window for all victims of childhood sexual abuse, no matter how long ago the abuse occurred.
    The window would allow people to bring civil suits against abusers for crimes in which the statute of limitations has expired. Strimling said he submitted the bill after a constituent approached him with a story of abuse and how it affected his family.
    “There’s something very different about sexual abuse against children,” Strimling said.
    He said it sometimes takes years for cases of abuse against children to come to light; often children are intimidated into silence. The legislation is modeled after a similar law in California that allows victims a one-year look back window. A number of cases came forward that wouldn’t have otherwise, he said.
    “This can help create closure for people that need it and help to bring to the forefront abusers still living in the community,” said Strimling.
    Paul was abused from the age of 8 until the age of 13 by a priest at St. Mary’s School, though he didn’t tell his family about the abuse until he was 48-years-old. Director of the Maine Chapter of the Survivors Network of Those Abused by Priests or SNAP, he staged a peaceful protest with fellow activist and co-founder of the Maine Chapter of Voice of the Faithful (though he is no longer a member) Paul Kendrick outside of St. James School in Biddeford in February. The men aimed to warn teachers and students of a former priest, Michael Plourde, who has been accused of sexual abuse and is still living in the neighborhood near the school.
    Paul said since he has been protesting in Portland and Biddeford he has been approached by at least a dozen people that have whispered in his ear and admitted that they too had been abused.
    When he was 13-years-old Paul said he finally got the courage to tell his abuser “no more.” He said his abuser warned him not to tell and said, “Nobody will believe you.” Paul finally found the courage to tell his family when he learned that his abuser had hurt other children in a number of different states, he said.
    People wishing to face their abusers must still go through proper legal channels and prove their case in a court of law, Paul said of LD 178. Both Paul and Kendrick spoke at a public hearing in Augusta on Feb. 13 and say they have been working on this legislation for more than a year.
     Though Kendrick is not a victim of abuse, he said he became involved when he learned how victims of abuse were being treated. Kendrick graduated from Cheverus High School in Portland and said he began to examine how abuse cases were being handled in the Catholic Church.
    “I can’t go into a mass and sit with people who are ignoring this,” Kendrick said. “I’ve seen people look Harvey (Paul) in the face and tell him to get a life.”
    He said victims have told him they were being bullied into taking settlements. Paul said his mother, a devout Catholic, wrote a letter to the bishop about her son’s experience. The letter, he said, was never answered.
    “The more I have asked for information, the more the shutters have come down,” said Paul. “We ask our kids to tell the truth and be accountable, why would I ask any different from the bishop? The legislation is our way to get the truth.”
    Sen. Barry Hobbins (D-York County) said while he sympathizes with Paul, he disagreed with the way he has chosen to get his message across. He said he didn’t think the protest at St. James was appropriate.
    “I respectfully disagree with their approach,” Hobbins said. “My heart goes out for Mr. Paul and the trauma he went through with abuse, and I respect Paul Kendrick’s advocacy.”
    Hobbins said opening up old cases is a “delicate balancing act.” He said legislation enacted in 1999 allows anyone age 36 or younger to file a claim. He said the entrée for the legislation is too focused on the Catholic Church.
    “To raise the idea of the whole diocese, I believe that dramatic steps have been taken and they’ve gone from a cover-up to being open and compassionate. … I think the Catholic Church has come a long way in disclosing what went on, I don’t think they should continue to be a punching bag,” said Hobbins. “There has to be some finality to the legal system.”
    Hobbins said he was also concerned about those who could be falsely accused. Such accusations would cause the person to be branded with the proverbial scarlet letter for life, they’re not going to be able to get back their reputation, he said.
    Paul and Kendrick said the law would extend to all victims of childhood sexual abuse, not just those abused by clergy. Kendrick called the 1999 legislation one of the most progressive child abuse laws in the country, but it doesn’t help people whose cases are older. While Paul said he has no plans to file charges against his abuser, he wants to have the option.
    “What we’re asking for is to give victims a two year window where they can come out now and file a lawsuit against and individual or institution for childhood sexual abuse,” Kendrick said. “The average age of a person that brings charges is 40-years-old.”