Kifowit-Supported Law to Increase Prosecution of Sex Offenders Takes Effect
By Stephanie Kifowit
Legislation supported by state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, allowing prosecutors to bring charges against suspected sex offenders at any time by removing statutes of limitation, took effect at the beginning of the year. “Sex abuse is one of the most horrific crimes that can be committed against a child, and our laws need to be strong enough to give victims the ability and the time to fight back,” Kifowit said. “Just as the effects of sexual abuse continue past a victim’s 18th birthday, so should the ability of our justice system to prosecute abusers.” House Bill 1063 removes the statute of limitations for aggravated or predatory sexual offenses or criminal sexual abuse, in cases where the victim was under 18 at the time of the offense. Prosecutors will now be able to file charges anytime if there is corroborating physical evidence of the crime, or in cases where an individual who is required to report the sex offence at issue failed to do so. Previously, most sexual offenses had to be prosecuted within three years of the victim turning 18 years old. “For some victims, it takes years to come to terms with the abuse they endured, and offenders should not be free because they were able to terrify their victims,” Kifowit said. “This legislation will hopefully allow victims a chance at closure, while putting dangerous sex offenders behind bars. I will continue to make the safety of our children a top priority, and work to make sure our state’s laws are in line with that goal.” Contact: Stephanie.Kifowit@att.net
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