Child Sex Abuse Survivors Rally for Change in Ore. Statute of Limitations

KGW
April 8, 2013

http://www.bishop-accountability.org/AbuseTrackerArchive/2013/04/#081605

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SALEM – Advocates for reforming the statute of limitations for childhood sex abuse crimes in Oregon took to the Capitol steps Monday before a public hearing to discuss HB 3284.

People who described themselves as adult survivors of child sex abuse rallied and held signs describing what happened to them.

Oregon has a six-year statute of limitations on most sex crimes. The law allows for a longer period of time if the victim is under the age of 18. In those cases, the crime can be prosecuted any time before the victim turns 30, or within 12 years after the crime is reported to police or social workers.

Nationwide, 33 states have eliminated the statute of limitations on some or all child sex offenses, but not Oregon. In 2011, the Oregon legislature considered eliminating the statute of limitations, but the bill died in committee.