Two Women walk across Oregon to make a difference

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By Lindsey Kovacevich

Story Published: Sep 8, 2008 at 8:48 AM PST

WINSTON, Ore.-Two women and two young children were in Winston Sunday morning, after starting out in Ashland on their trek through the state. One of the ladies, who wanted to remain anonymous, is a survivor of child sex abuse and she's hoping to change attitudes and the laws in Oregon. "We are working to eliminate the statute of limitations for child sex abuse, for criminal prosecution. At this point if you report after 30 years old you have no recourse and we're working very hard with Andy Olson, a representative to change that."

She says they are also raising money to provide therapy for survivors.
Virginia Jones is also a survivor and she says she wants people to know its ok to tell your story. "We just have to emphasize how difficult and how painful it is for people to come forward, either out of the fear of their abuser, or shame or guilt, for the abused. Or sometimes people just don't recognize they were abused."

The women are walking about ten miles a day, and are leaving Roseburg Monday, heading to Sutherlin and then on to Lane County on the way to Portland.

They invite anyone to come along and walk with them. You can also go to their website at wintreswishes.org for more information. The walk is sponsored by the National Association for the Prevention of Sex Abuse of Children.

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