Sioux City Journal:
DES MOINES, Iowa, victims of child sexual abuse would have more time as an adult to bring criminal or civil action against adults who preyed upon them when they were minors under a bill passed by the Iowa Senate on Monday.
Senate File 2109, which was approved by a 49-0 margin, would extend the statute of limitation to bring action to 25 years after an abused child has turned 18 years of age. The current limit is 10 years after an abused child turns 18. Some provisions have longer time frame and they too are extended to 25 years under the legislation.
“This gives child sex abuse survivors a fair chance at justice,” said Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center. He was floor manager of a bill that was amended to extend statute of limitations for criminal offenses of lascivious acts with a child, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, indecent contact with a child, lascivious conduct with a minor and sexual misconduct with a juvenile from the current three years to 10 years after the victim’s 18th birthday.
Why were these not included in the extension to 25 years? And, 25 years means you have only until you are 43 years old to bring accusations forward. I would have preferred to see at least another 10 years. But, it's better than it was.
“For years persons who suffered sexual abuse, often at the hands of trusted family members and friends, have been denied access to justice,” he said.
Sodders said the bill “cures” an injustice caused by “unfairly” short time lines for victims of sexual abuse while they were a minor to bring criminal or civil action once they reach adulthood.
During subcommittee and committee work, Sodders said, senators heard from experts who indicated it often takes victims until they reach their 40s to understand what happened to them and to come forward. He said historically about 90 percent of child victims never go to authorities and a “vast majority” of claims expire before a victim is capable of speaking about the incident.
Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, said the legislation “will protect children for years to come” in urging his colleagues to vote for the measure.
DES MOINES, Iowa, victims of child sexual abuse would have more time as an adult to bring criminal or civil action against adults who preyed upon them when they were minors under a bill passed by the Iowa Senate on Monday.
Senate File 2109, which was approved by a 49-0 margin, would extend the statute of limitation to bring action to 25 years after an abused child has turned 18 years of age. The current limit is 10 years after an abused child turns 18. Some provisions have longer time frame and they too are extended to 25 years under the legislation.
 |
| Iowa Senate building I don't know what's with the pattern above it |
Why were these not included in the extension to 25 years? And, 25 years means you have only until you are 43 years old to bring accusations forward. I would have preferred to see at least another 10 years. But, it's better than it was.
“For years persons who suffered sexual abuse, often at the hands of trusted family members and friends, have been denied access to justice,” he said.
Sodders said the bill “cures” an injustice caused by “unfairly” short time lines for victims of sexual abuse while they were a minor to bring criminal or civil action once they reach adulthood.
During subcommittee and committee work, Sodders said, senators heard from experts who indicated it often takes victims until they reach their 40s to understand what happened to them and to come forward. He said historically about 90 percent of child victims never go to authorities and a “vast majority” of claims expire before a victim is capable of speaking about the incident.
Sen. Roby Smith, R-Davenport, said the legislation “will protect children for years to come” in urging his colleagues to vote for the measure.
No comments:
Post a Comment