Rally Seeks End to Statute of Limitations in Child Sex Assault Cases

By Charles Thompson
The Patriot-News
April 5, 2012

http://www.pennlive.com/midstate/index.ssf/2012/04/rally_seeks_end_to_statue_of_l.html

Eliminating a statute of limitations in child sexual assault cases was among the changes victim advocates called for during a rally Wednesday at the Capitol.


The Pennsylvania Coalition Against Rape also called for legislative action on bills to make a specific state crime out of human trafficking for “commercial sexual activity” and to permit prosecutors to present expert testimony explaining variances in victims' reactions in criminal sexual assault cases.

Advocates are seizing the moment amid the case against former Penn State assistant football coach Jerry Sandusky, plus a criminal trial against a top Roman Catholic Church official in Philadelphia accused of enabling abusive priests to continue having access to children.

The law allows abuse victims up until their 50th birthday to come forward with charges from incidents in their childhood.

Advocates say a change in the statute of limitations is needed because it might take child victims decades to come forward with their experiences.