LANSING, Mich. — Lawmakers and sexual abuse survivors on Monday rolled out a new package of 10 bills aimed at combating childhood sexual assault and protecting victims.
One of the biggest changes the Protecting Michigan’s Children bills would make is to extend the criminal and civil statues of limitations for childhood sexual abuse. Currently, victims must report by their 19th birthday or within three years of the abuse in order for charges to be filed. But studies show it often takes victims much longer than that to come forward. Under the new legislation, the statutes would be extended to 30 years after the act or 30 years after the victim reaches the age of majority.
“Being able to increase the statute of limitations and give children who suffered assault a chance to process and figure out what happened to them before they report it that is so incredibly necessary,” sex assault survivor Amanda Thomashow told 24 Hour News 8 after a press conference at the state Capitol in Lansing during which the legislation was announced.
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Full Story: WOODTV8