In this episode, I’m talking with Senator Steele who reveals the first time she made a dramatic stand for survivors of sexual abuse. She bravely shared her own story of incest and child sexual abuse on the Arizona State Senate Floor.
Steele recounts the attacks, “My very first memory in life was being raped by my grandfather. She goes on to say that “I don’t have very many memories from my childhood,” those that I do have are not good. You don’t want to know them.”
She fought for justice for survivors of child sexual abuse when she introduced a bill to extend the statute of limitations for victims to bring a civil case against their abuser in Arizona. Current state law barred survivors from civil action after they turned 20 years old. According to Steele, “Republican leaders, so far, have blocked the bill.” Senator Steele supports survivors of child sexual abuse and the elimination of the statute of limitations for all child sexual abuse survivors nationwide.
Senator Steele is one of a growing number of survivors and women who are fighting for justice for survivors of sexual violence in State Capitols nationwide. These legislators of courage are working on behalf of women and survivors who have been beaten, raped, and even murdered by their abusers and predators. We salute Senator Steele.