ENOUGH ABUSE® partners with District Attorneys and Legislators to Advocate to Criminalize Sexual Abuse by Adults in Positions of Authority

On Monday, March 10th, Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue, Representative Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District, Senator Joan Lovely of the 2nd Essex District, Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker, and Jetta Bernier, Executive Director of ENOUGH ABUSE® held a virtual press conference regarding Senate Bill 1163 and House Docket 2209: An Act Relative to Sexual Assaults by Adults in Positions of Authority or Trust in a public or private school setting.

At the conference, officials explained the existing loophole in Massachusetts law that allows adults in positions of authority to enter legal consensual relationships with their students 16 years of age and older. The proposed legislation would criminalize such acts.

Berkshire County District Attorney Timothy Shugrue stated, “We have a duty and obligation to protect all children in Massachusetts. As district attorneys, we can only enforce laws passed by the legislature. It is critical that they [the legislature] pass Senate Bill 1163 and House Docket 2209 in this session. The codification of these bills into law will finally close this longstanding loophole. A loophole that has allowed criminals to sexually exploit children living in our state.”

Essex District Attorney Paul Tucker commented "The legislation picks up where internal or handbook rules leave off, and we need the force of law. This commonsense approach is the right path to follow, and I strongly support these two bills."

Senator Joan Lovely, who introduced Senate Bill 1163, stated: “This bill ensures that individuals in positions of trust face consequences if they exploit their authority to harm a child. It is crucial to hold those who take advantage of our young people fully accountable for their actions and for the damage they cause to children and families across the Commonwealth. I have been fighting for this legislation for years because protecting children is not just a policy priority—it is an obligation.”

Representative Leigh Davis, who filed the companion bill in the House, HD.2209 urged her colleagues, “Let this be the session where we stand together with survivors, families, and every young person in our Commonwealth. Let us not wait for another survivor to be told their abuser has walked free."

Jetta Bernier who directs ENOUGH ABUSE®, which has long worked in support of this legislation, suggested: “The most eloquent statement about the need to act on these bills is from parents who learned firsthand about the unintended consequences of the current law:

"He was charismatic, worldly, cunning and 33 years older than our daughter. A father of 3 boys, he quickly built trust with her, first by saying she was the daughter he never had. In less than a year, he convinced her to have a physical relationship with him, lie for him, and ultimately leave her family for him. It is unfathomable to us that under Massachusetts law our daughter, who didn’t have her license, couldn’t vote, or buy cigarettes or alcohol, was considered legally capable of giving consent to her 49-year old teacher, and that her parents, the school and law enforcement had no legal recourse against him."

Bernier concluded: “It's past time to stop protecting those who abuse our children and pass not only this bill, but the full package of other crucial child sexual abuse prevention bills that have been waiting for action over several Legislative Sessions. Pass the Prevention Package of bills, now!”

For more information about these bills, contact ENOUGH ABUSE® at [email protected] or click here.