Joy Kitchell, Executive Director of the BCCAC came to the Bennington County Child Advocacy Center & Special Investigations Unit in July 2012 with a strong background in public education; she spent 25 years as an elementary school teacher in the Southwest Vermont Supervisory Union – she also served as principal of the Pownal Elementary School. Happy anniversary Joy!!
Recently the BCCAC played an integral part in the newest legislation that extends the statute of limitations for sexual crimes committed against a child in Vermont. Christina Rainville, the Chief Deputy State’s Attorney for Bennington County and BCCAC MDT member, approached Senator Dick Sears seeking changes in the law after the much-publicized trial and conviction of former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky last year.
It was unclear if the bill would make it through the Legislature this year. The Senate took action, passing it with the 40-year extension. The House then passed its own version eliminating the limit altogether. But members of the Senate Judiciary Committee were not comfortable eliminating the limit entirely, Sears said. Shumlin also praised Bennington Reps. Anne Mook, a Democrat, and Mary Morrissey, a Republican, for their efforts in the House. “There were some days in the House when we weren’t quite so sure it was going to go forward, so we appreciate your hard work,” he said. But the main force behind the new statute of limitations was Rainville. “A huge thank you to Tina Rainville, because frankly, without Tina, we wouldn’t have gotten where we’ve gotten,” Shumlin said. “We sign this bill for all of Vermont’s kids and all the people who are working so hard in the field to keep them safe,” Shumlin said, before signing the bill and handing the pen to Rainville. Governor Peter Shumlin signed the bill into law on June 3rd, 2013.
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