Stop Child Abuse Now (SCAN) - 3436

Tonight’s special guest is Kim Bergman from Kansas, and she is a survivor of child sexual abuse by her gymnastics coach. The abuse she endured had a profound impact on her life, relationships, and future career as a social worker in child welfare and legislative advocacy. Child protective services substantiated her abuse, but the District Attorney didn't press charges. He continued working with children until he was arrested 10 years later. Kim attempted to help, but information from her forensic interview or police file could be used due to the statute of limitations. In 2018 she joined the national lawsuit against USA Gymnastics. While lawsuits may compensate victims for damages, they more importantly force organizations to create changes to keep kids safe. Joining the lawsuit helped to find her voice and become a voice for others. After years of keeping quiet about her abuse, she decided to go public after she was contacted by a local reporter. She began telling her story on the news and became a member of the RAINN Speakers Bureau. She works with a group of survivors to remove the statute of limitations in Kansas and is one of the co-organizers of Protecting KS Children from Sexual Predators. In 2023, they passed a bill that removed the criminal statute of limitations for child sexual abuse and extended the civil statute of limitations which allows more time for survivors to file a civil lawsuit against their abuser. They work locally and nationally to educate about child sexual abuse in communities, safety tips for families, and the need for statute of limitations reform. Everyone is invited to engage in tonight's show. Visit NAASCA.org website or call 646-595-2118 to join our live panel.