As Colorado state senators, we have the honor and privilege of hearing from diverse voices throughout the state in support of or in opposition to legislation we are considering. 

Recently, we bore witness to the most gut-wrenching testimony of our time as legislators. Dozens of survivors of childhood sexual abuse courageously testified in support of the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment (SCR24-001). Survivors shared harrowing stories of childhood sexual abuse, which – in many cases – took decades for them to process psychologically so they could hold their abusers accountable. Many of them also explained to us how their abusers were still working with kids.

The Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment is an important step we can take as a state to give survivors a path to justice and healing. Legislative passage will send Colorado voters a question about whether survivors can pursue claims against abusers and complicit institutions, no matter when the abuse happened.  

We believe Colorado voters deserve to have their voice heard on this question: should Colorado lawmakers be able to pass laws that permit victims of childhood sexual abuse to bring civil claims regardless of when the sexual abuse occurred? 

Opponents of SCR24-001 argue the people of Colorado are not the best decision-makers on a question of this magnitude. We disagree. In fact, Colorado’s framers believed in citizens determining when and how to change our state constitution. This very question is a testament to their foresight.

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We encourage our colleagues to share in our belief the people of Colorado have the wherewithal to be able to determine whether we, as a state, should be able to hold accountable the perpetrators of child sexual abuse. 

Recent polling shows 84% of the electorate agrees. Survivors deserve this. Children need this. Voters want this.  

Sen. Dafna Michaelson Jenet, a survivor, understands the importance of allowing survivors enough time to heal and seek justice. It’s crucial to recognize healing from trauma has no timeline or expiration date. Survivors should have the opportunity to make progress in their healing journey and access justice when they are ready and able to do so. More than half of childhood sexual abuse survivors disclose the abuse at age 50 or older, highlighting the significance of providing support and accountability for victims regardless of when they come forward.

Currently, our state constitution prohibits laws that are “retrospective.” The Colorado Supreme Court ruled unless we alter the constitution, these victims will find the courts closed to them. Legislators listened. And now it is up to our colleagues to hear survivors, respect our constitution, courts and citizens, and send to voters the Child Sexual Abuse Accountability Amendment.

We understand organizations complicit in covering up childhood sexual abuse – in some cases even allowing abusers to continue operating within their businesses, classrooms or places of worship – are opposed to putting this question to voters. Siding with them only adds to a long legacy of Colorado’s legislature failing survivors. The only winners will be abusers,  organizations who covered up this abuse and human traffickers who profit when society looks the other way.

Dafna Michaelson Jenet, of Commerce City, represents District 21 in the Colorado state Senate. Jessie Danielson represents District 22 in the Colorado state Senate, located in Jefferson County.