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Ohio legislation would eliminate statute of limitations for rape
By Marc Kovac
COLUMBUS
Individuals could be convicted of rape and sexual battery long after the original crimes occurred under legislation being considered by state lawmakers.
In fact, Senate Bill 185, sponsored by Sen. Nina Turner, a Democrat from Cleveland, would repeal existing statutes of limitations on such crimes, meaning perpetrators could face criminal penalties at any point in the future.
“Aside from being just plain good public policy, SB 185 will accomplish three things: empower the victims of these horrible crimes, assist law-enforcement personnel [to] bring criminals to justice and help keep our communities safe,” Turner recently told the Senate’s Judiciary Committee.
She added, “It is a well-known fact that the impact of sexual trauma lasts a lifetime and certainly does not fade after only 20 years. ... If the victims of these crimes have to deal with the repercussions for a lifetime, then so should the perpetrators.”
Current state law sets the deadline for prosecution of sexual battery and rape at 20 years after the offense was committed. Under SB 185, the statute would be repealed, as is the case for murder.
Turner said the legislation is needed to allow victims needed time to come forward and face their attackers.
“It is important that we in the General Assembly realize the incredible amount of courage that coming forward takes and allow victims the ability to tell their story when they are ready and they feel safe, no matter how long that takes,” she said.