Bipartisan Vote Moves Senator Henry Stern’s Bill to Protect Child Victims of Sexual Violence

SACRAMENTO – Today, State Senator Henry Stern’s SB 756, which would provide restitution for mental health services to young sexual abuse victims, was unanimously approved by the Senate. The bill now heads to the Assembly for consideration.

Last year, 15 victims were molested by their soccer coach in LA County and several victims were unable to receive restitution. Right now, there are over 400 pending cases in LA County alone that could be eligible for restitution under SB 756.

“Our kids deserve better. Victims of sexual violence are being denied justice under our current system,” remarked Senator Stern.

Co-sponsored by the Los Angeles District Attorney’s Office (LADA) and the Crime Victims Action Alliance and supported by law enforcement, SB 756 closes a loophole in the law that prevents many young victims of sexual assault from receiving restitution that would cover mental health services necessary to treat psychological trauma.

“The children we are talking about have suffered some of the most heinous crimes imaginable,” said Jonathan Hatami, Deputy District Attorney with the Complex Child Abuse Section of the LADA. “These are victims who go on to suffer from reoccurring nightmares, difficulty sleeping, an inability to maintain a job or complete their education; it takes them a lifetime to recover and we, as a society, should do everything we can to help them.”

“With SB 756, the perpetrator will be directly responsible for paying noneconomic restitution directly to child victims so they can receive therapy and emotional support,” concluded Mr. Hatami.

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Henry Stern is Chair of the Senate Committee on Elections and Constitutional Amendments, and the first millennial elected to the California State Senate. Senator Stern also serves on four additional key committees: Energy, Utilities and Communications, Environmental Quality, Judiciary, and Natural Resources and Water. He represents nearly 1 million residents of the 27th Senate District, which includes Agoura Hills, Calabasas, Hidden Hills, Malibu, Moorpark, Simi Valley, Thousand Oaks, Westlake Village, part of Santa Clarita and the following Los Angeles communities: Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Tarzana, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills. http://sd27.senate.ca.gov.