Work needs to be done to protect children

May 8, 2026

Event Date:

Wed, 05/06/2026 - 02:46 pm

Thank you, Patricia Daily Lewis, for your commentary in the May 5 edition of the Cape Gazette. It is not often enough we hear there is some action being taken to find the perpetrators who prey on children. I do not know much about the Beau Biden Foundation, but I will look into it.

I am hopeful with the organization’s funds and participation that new laws will be passed. House Bill 75 will allow civil claims related to child sexual abuse to be filed without regard to prior limits. That would be a step forward.

However, the law in Delaware (and only a few other states) still requires a third-party witness in order to prosecute the trafficker/abuser. Two separate studies were conducted by the Delaware Anti-Trafficking Action Council, and results from both organizations noted this as a major problem. A bill to remove this requirement was submitted to our state’s legislature, but it was not passed. I believe that in order to do the work Lewis is suggesting, resubmitting and passing this bill needs to be a priority.

What good would it do for a victim to come forward and name their abuser if there still needs to be another witness? I am hoping with the foundation's support, we can resubmit this bill that eliminates requiring a third-party witness to our Delaware government for approval.

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