Ohio Dems push bill to lift statute of limitation on all rape cases

COLUMBUS — Democratic state lawmakers announced legislation yoday to lift the statute of limitations for all rape cases, opening the door for prosecutions decades after crimes were committed.

Reps. Greta Johnson, D-Akron, and Teresa Fedor, D-Toledo, also want to ensure victims of rape and sexual battery can pursue charges against their spouses.

“Right now, we live in a state where certain offenses of rape and all offenses of battery are not considered crimes if they’re committed against a spouse,” said Johnson, a former prosecuting attorney in Mahoning and Summit counties. She added, “It is time to put Ohio out of the dark ages. Rape is real, sexual battery happens. I refuse to stand by with this platform that I have and not challenge this law that only adds to the mountain of reasons victims need to overcome to report their sexual assault.”