California Senate Leader Urges Action to Eliminate Statute of Limitations in Sexual Abuse Cases.

"Boyhood Shadows" Documentary Screened at State Capitol

SACRAMENTO, Calif. -- State Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg welcomed other legislators and social service activists to a showing of the documentary "Boyhood Shadows" as part of his support of legislation to increase prosecution in sexual abuse cases.

Commenting on SB 46, authored by State Senator Elaine Alquist, D-San Jose, Steinberg called the documentary "a great public service" and said that as a result of heightened awareness, "More people won't suffer."

The event, held in a Senate conference room, was attended by legislators, including Assembly members Tom Torlakson (D-Martinez) and Bill Monning (D-Monterey) and Senator Mark Leno (D-San Francisco).

The event was co-sponsored by Alquist and the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA).

In welcoming the audience to the screening, Alquist acknowledged that her legislation, which would eliminate the California statute of limitations on sexual assaults, faces an uphill battle as it makes its way through legislative committees. However, she also praised filmmakers Steve Rosen and Terri DeBono and those featured in the documentary for "coming forward and showing courage" in order to highlight the need for the new legislation.

Alquist said, "The devastating effects of childhood sexual abuse carries through to adulthood - often with destructive consequences for the victims if they don't receive the mental health services necessary for recovery. Drug abuse, a life of crime and isolation are a few of the consequences victims face when they don't receive help and are not able to see their abusers prosecuted."

The documentary, "Boyhood Shadows," chronicles the odyssey of several men who years after an assault are still trying to come to grips with the impact of what has happened to them. The film demonstrates the struggles of several men who held onto their secret for decades, often turning to drugs, alcohol or other addictions as a way to numb their pain.

Also attending the screening were three men featured in the film:

* Glenn Kulick, whose 20-year struggle with alcohol, drug abuse and homelessness is documented in detail, and whose life provides the structure of the film.

* Allen Martin, a San Francisco television anchor for KPIX, whose personal problems and insight into abuse is a key part of the documentary.

* Kim Allyn, a Santa Cruz deputy sheriff, who describes what happened to him as a child and whose advice to parents about "believe your kids" is one of the key elements of the film.

By allowing perpetrators to be prosecuted even years after the assault, Alquist said, "They will understand that if they do this - especially to a child - they may still pay for it at any time in their life. We need to educate people to the story."

Experts say that the victims of sexual assault suffer the kind of trauma that makes reporting of the crime difficult to make in a timely manner. A CALCASA spokeswoman said that emotional suffering does not end when the current statute of limitations expires - 10 years. "It is vital that California takes steps to encourage victims to come forward and report these violent crimes," said Suzanne Brown-McBride, executive director of CALCASA, who attended the screening. "We want to send a message of offenders that California doesn't lose interest in these crimes of their victims."

About Mac + Ava Motion Pictures

Terri DeBono and Steve Rosen are the founders of Mac + Ava Motion Pictures in Monterey. In addition to "Boyhood Shadows," Mac + Ava Motion Pictures has produced several documentaries, including "Beyond Barbed Wire," "The Roots of California Photography" and "My Name is Belle." For more information, visit www.boyhoodshadows.org.