WASHINGTON (DC)
The Washington Times
By Ryan M. McDermott – The Washington Times – Thursday, January 12, 2017
The D.C. Council is considering ending the statute of limitations for sexual abuse, which would align the District with more than 30 states that do not restrict the time for prosecuting such crimes.
The Sexual Abuse Statute of Limitations Eliminations Amendment Act of 2017 would end time restraints on prosecuting charges of rape, child abuse and other sex-related felonies.
“It’s extremely important that the District eliminate the statute of limitations on felony sex crimes — especially as it concerns the rape and sexual abuse of minors,” said council member Mary M. Cheh, the Ward 3 Democrat who introduced the legislation Tuesday. “Child victims are often persuaded or threatened to believe that reporting the crime will have dire consequences.”
The District employs a 15-year statute of limitations for prosecuting charges of first- and second-degree sexual abuse. Its statute of limitations for first- and second-degree child sexual abuse is 15 years after the victim reaches age 21.
A 10-year statute of limitations is applied for all other sex crimes, such as sex trafficking of children, incest, using a child to produce child pornography, and first- or second-degree sexual abuse of a secondary education student by a school authority. Such crimes cannot be prosecuted more than 10 years after the victim reaches age 21.
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