Press Release: 3/11/2025
Senator Lovely joins other officials for press conference on An Act Relative to Sexual Assaults by Adults in Positions of Authority or Trust
Senator Joan B. Lovely
2nd Essex District
State House, Room 413-D Boston, MA 02133
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 10, 2025 | Press Contact: James Bartlett Cell: 978-726-7318 |
(BOSTON—3/10/2025) Senate Assistant Majority Leader Joan B. Lovely (D-Salem) joined Berkshire District Attorney Timothy J. Shugrue, Representative Leigh Davis of the 3rd Berkshire District, Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker, and Jetta Bernier, Executive Director of Enough Abuse, to hold a press conference regarding Senator Lovely and Rep. Davis’s SD.1367 and HD. 2209: An Act Relative to Sexual Assaults by Adults in Positions of Authority or Trust.
At the conference, Senator Lovely and Representative Davis explained the existing loophole in Massachusetts law that allows for adults in positions of authority or trust to enter consensual relationships with their students 16 years of age and older. Senator Lovely and Representative Davis’s bills, SD.1367 and HD. 2209, respectively, would criminalize such acts.
"I was pleased to join Rep. Davis, Berkshires DA Shugrue, Essex DA Tucker, and ENOUGH ABUSE Executive Director Jetta Bernier to advocate and spread awareness for An Act relative to sexual assaults by adults in positions of authority or trust. I thank all of them for their deep commitment to protecting children from abuse in any and all forms," said Senator Lovely. "This bill ensures that individuals in positions of trust face consequences if they exploit their authority to harm a child. It is crucial to hold those who take advantage of our young people fully accountable for their actions and for the damage they cause to children and families across the Commonwealth. I have been fighting for this legislation for years because protecting children is not just a policy priority—it is an obligation."
“For me, this is not just policy—it’s personal. As a legislator, a former educator, and a mother—including to a teenage daughter—I refuse to accept a legal system that protects predators instead of children. No child should ever hear that the law won’t protect them. No survivor should ever be told their abuser walks free because our laws failed them. If I can help provide a path to justice for survivors and their families, I have done my job,” said Representative Davis.
Massachusetts’ Berkshire District Attorney Timothy Shugrue and Essex District Attorney Paul F. Tucker joined the press conference to speak in support of the bills.
“We have a duty and obligation to protect all children in Massachusetts. As district attorneys, we can only enforce laws passed by the legislature. It is critical that they [the legislature] pass these bills. The codification of these bills into law will finally close this longstanding loophole that has allowed for the sexual exploitation of children living in our state," said Berkshire District Attorney Shugrue.
"The legislation picks up where internal or handbook rules leave off, and we need the force of law. This commonsense approach is the right path to follow, and I strongly support these two bills," said Essex District Attorney Tucker.
Jetta Bernier, Executive Director of Enough Abuse, also provided insight into the importance of the legislation.
“The most eloquent statement about the need to act on these bills is from parents who learned firsthand about the unintended consequences of the current law:”
‘He was charismatic, worldly, cunning and 33 years older than our daughter. A father of 3 boys, he quickly built trust with her, first by saying she was the daughter he never had. In less than a year, he convinced her to have a physical relationship with him, lie for him, and ultimately leave her family for him. It is unfathomable to us that under Massachusetts law our daughter, who didn’t have her license, couldn’t vote, or buy cigarettes or alcohol, was considered legally capable of giving consent to her 49-year-old teacher, and that her parents, the school and law enforcement had no legal recourse against him.’
“It's past time to stop protecting those who abuse our children and pass not only this bill, but the full package of other crucial child sexual abuse prevention bills that have been waiting for action over several legislative sessions. Pass the Prevention Package of bills now!” said Bernier.