Linehan Receives Award From National Sexual Violence Resource Center

Press release from House Democrats:

Oct. 11, 2022

Last week, State Representative Liz Linehan (Cheshire, Southington, Wallingford) was given the "Visionary Voice Award" by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center for her leadership in passing legislation on child sex abuse prevention. Rep. Linehan, a co-Chair of the Committee on Children, has worked diligently to ensure that children in Connecticut are protected, survivors have access to resources to help them heal, and abusers are held accountable.

The Visionary Voice Award 2022 was presented to 29 recipients from across the country representing a wide range of industries whose outstanding efforts are helping end sexual violence. The recipients were nominated by state, territory, and tribal sexual violence coalitions across the U.S. Rep Linehan was nominated for this award by the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence.

In the 2022 legislative session, Rep. Linehan wrote the legislation for Public Act 22-47, which expanded children's eligibility for the victim compensation program, and Public Act 22-87, which requires high schools in Connecticut to administer a sexual assault and misconduct risk assessment. Rep. Linehan has also worked on the following legislation related to child sex abuse prevention:

• Public Act 18-172- implements the recommendations of the Office of Early Childhood for housing homeless youth
• Public Act 21-82-require youth camp employees who are eighteen years of age or older to submit to a comprehensive background check
• Public Act 19-120 updates guidelines concerning the inclusion of additional mandated reporters, the duration of child abuse and neglect investigations, child abuse and neglect registry checks and the repeal of certain reporting requirements of DCF
• Public Act 21-64- operators of youth athletic activities and licensees of youth camps must distribute information concerning child sexual abuse prevention
• Public Act 21-46 the DCF Commissioner must provide written notice regarding legal representation to the parent or guardian of a child with a complaint of neglect or abuse
• Public Act 19-120- expands the statutory list of mandated reporters of suspected child abuse and neglect and adjusts the time DCF must complete a child abuse or neglect investigation
• Public Act 22-81 addresses the pandemic's impact on childhood depression, anxiety, and developmental delays through the expansion of support services
• House Bill 5333- DCF must make a reasonable effort to notify the employer of an individual placed on the child abuse and neglect registry of such individual's placement on the registry if such individual has direct contact with children through such employment
• House Bill 5152- extends the statute of limitations to an individual for failure to make a report of suspected child abuse and requires certain youth camp staff members to be mandated reporters of child abuse or neglect
• House Bill 6511- requires background checks for youth sports coaches, trainers and instructors
• House Bill 6998- updates the process of notification of abuse and neglect complaints and investigations pertaining to school employees and contractors

"Representative Linehan is fearless in her advocacy and unmovable in her belief that all children deserve to be safe, cared for, and believed. Year after year, she proposes and champions legislation that creates pathways to healing, justice, and services for child survivors of sexual violence while focusing on how sexual violence can be prevented by every member of our communities," said Beth Hamilton, executive director of The CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence. "We honor her because her vision for ending child sexual abuse in Connecticut is unwavering and infinite. She is building a movement, not a moment."

"It is an absolute privilege to have this job. I promise to continue to use my position for the advancement and funding for prevention and education programs, mental health services, background checks, training, data collection, and much more," said Rep. Linehan. "There is more work to do. I thank every person who understands the urgency and energy needed to keep pressing on. I thank Beth Hamilton, Lucy Nolan, and the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence for the honor of this award and the honor of working together for our shared goals. I would like to also thank the other award recipients for using their voices for this important cause. We must continue the work that shines a light on this issue and help others see it so we can prevent it from happening."

The Annual Breakfast also awarded Ali Hagani, founder of Every Voice Coalition, with the Future Leader Award, Sharmese Walcott, State’s Attorney for Judicial District of Hartford, with the Advocacy in Action Award, and Connecticut Brewers Guild with the Partner in Prevention Award.
The CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence is a statewide coalition providing sexual assault crisis programs. The Alliance works to end sexual violence through victim assistance, community education, and public policy advocacy.

This press release was produced by House Democrats. The views expressed here are the author's own.