OLYMPIA, Wash. -- A survivor of child sexual abuse says she can now rest easy after delivering a tearful testimony at the state Senate. It was in support of a bill that extends the statute of limitations for prosecuting child sex crimes.

There was not a dry eye as Dinah Griffey made her plea. "I've shared my story before, but this time I want to share a different perspective as the mother of a survivor," she told the Senate Law and Justice Committee.

Griffey is a survivor of child sex abuse and tried to remain calm testifying yet again at a state legislative hearing. But her emotions swelled up as she told the panel how she was stunned that her daughter, too, had been raped by a stranger in Alaska.

"I talked with her calmly on the phone while I was screaming on the inside 'how can this happen? How did I let this happen? How can I get her home?"

Her husband is State Representative Dan Griffey (R-Allyn) who sponsored House Bill 1231, which eliminates the statute of limitations for Rape of a Child in the first degree and Child Molestation in the first degree for those 16 years and younger. This means that prosecutors can go after someone no matter how long it has been.

"With the passage of this bill, the one who may want to harm again in the future could be stopped before they ever have the chance," Dinah said. "Let it stop with us."

It is not easy coming here to the state capitol and testifying in public, but she says she just has to do this. "It's not a matter of having courage. It's a matter of saying 'enough is enough' and we have to take a stand."

Rep. Griffey has been trying to get this bill passed the last four sessions with no luck. This time he says it's chances are good and he credits his wife's and other's gut wrenching testimony.

To read the full article, written by Keith Eldridge, click HERE