The Senate Judicial Proceedings committee has a hearing tomorrow on Senate Bill 295, which would discourage sex offenders from using the courts to silence survivors.
Sexual assault continues to be one of the most under-reported and under-prosecuted crimes in Maryland and across the country. The National Crime Victimization Survey (2010-2016) found that when the offender was a friend or acquaintance, 61% of completed rapes, 71% of attempted rapes, and 82% of other sexual assaults were not reported. When the offender was a stranger, 54% of completed rapes, 44% of attempted rapes, and 34% of other sexual assaults were not reported to the police. When sexual assaults are not reported, sex offenders go free.
Civil lawsuits are increasingly being used as a weapon to threaten, silence, intimidate, and dissuade survivors of sexual assault from speaking out against their abusers and exposing predators.
SB295 would change this by shifting the process from one where the survivor-defendant has to prove that they are telling the truth, to requiring the plaintiff to prove that the report of sexual assault was recklessly false or malicious. The burden would be low, requiring only preponderance of evidence.
SB295 will reduce retaliatory lawsuits while preserving access to the courts.
Please ask the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee
to support SB295 to stop silencing survivors!
MARYLAND SENATE JUDICIAL PROCEEDINGS COMMITTEE
Leadership:
Will Smith, Jr., Chair (District 20, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3634 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3634
[email protected]
Jeff Waldstreicher, Vice Chair (District 18, Montgomery County)
Phone: 410-841-3137 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3137
[email protected]
Members:
Anne Arundel County
Shaneka Henson (District 30, Anne Arundel)
Phone: 410-841-3578 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3578
[email protected]
Baltimore County
Charles Sydnor, III (District 44, Baltimore County)
Phone: 410-841-3612 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3612
[email protected]
Baltimore & Carroll Counties
Chris West (District 42, Baltimore & Carroll)
Phone: 410-841-3648 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3648
[email protected]
Frederick County
William Folden (District 4, Frederick)
Phone: 410-841-3704 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3704
[email protected]
Garrett, Allegany, & Washington Counties
Mike McKay (District 1, Garrett, Allegany, & Washington)
Phone: 410-841-3565 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3565
[email protected]
Harford County
Mary-Dulaney James (District 34, Harford)
Phone: 410-841-3158 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3158
[email protected]
Montgomery County
Sara Love (District 16, Montgomery)
Phone: 410-841-3124 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3124
[email protected]
Prince George's County
Nick Charles (District 25, Prince George's)
Phone: 410-841-3127 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3127
[email protected]
Anthony Muse (District 26, Prince George's)
Phone: 410-841-3092 | Toll-free in MD: 1-800-492-7122 ext. 3092
[email protected]
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