As a survivor of childhood sexual assault, I learned that justice for victims like myself is painfully inadequate. My abuser only served nine years in the Indiana Department of Corrections before being released to live with his parents in Kentucky. When he re-offended - while still on parole - he was simply put into a rehabilitation program, rather than serving more time.

This glaring failure of the justice system is not exclusive to my story: it's a harsh reality for many victims of childhood sexual assault in Kentucky. In fact, an alarming number of child sexual assault perpetrators are being sentenced to shorter periods than the average time for other comparable heinous crimes. The rights of victims — especially children - are being overlooked in favor of the rights of the offenders, an unthinkable imbalance that needs immediate rectification.

In the quest for justice and protection for our vulnerable children, it is essential that Kentucky revises their guidelines for child sex crimes, enforcing longer minimum sentences. Despite the variations in circumstances for each case, the irreparable harm inflicted on child victims remains the same. Increasing the minimum sentencing guidelines helps hold abusers more accountable for their actions and sends a message that such atrocities will not be tolerated.

This is not only a call for justice for myself, as a survivor, but for every child victim of sexual assault who has been, or potentially could be, failed by the justice system. No child should have to endure the pain inflicted by such heinous crimes. We should be able to trust that the person responsible will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

Time is essential and each day, more children are at risk. Sign this petition to demand an immediate review and revision of Kentucky's minimum sentence guidelines for child sexual assault. Help us protect our children by ensuring perpetrators face appropriate lengthy sentences for their actions.