Senator proposes more time for child sex abuse charges

Sen. Lou D’Allesandro has requested a 2017 bill to remove the statute of limitations for sexual assaults on victims under age eighteen.

Right now victims of childhood sexual assault in New Hampshire have until age forty to seek charges against a rapist.

Supporters of removing this age limit argue that it sets an arbitrary deadline for justice.  Victims of childhood sexual abuse may be reluctant to report their crimes sooner due to trauma.

Supporters of the statute of limitations argue that after a certain point, evidence deteriorates and witnesses are unreliable.  The statute of limitations may also encourage victims to come forward sooner.

Do you think New Hampshire should remove the statute of limitations for sexual assaults on children?  Let us know in the comments.