IOWA
Quad-City Times
Rod Boshart Times Bureau
DES MOINES — Victims of child sexual abuse would have more time as an adult to bring criminal or civil action against adults who preyed upon them when they were minors under a bill passed by the Iowa Senate on Monday.
Senate File 2109, which was approved by a 49-0 vote, would extend the statute of limitations to bring action to 25 years after an abused child had turned 18 years of age. The current limit is 10 years year after an abused child reaches 18, although some provisions have longer time frame that also would be extended to 25 years under the legislation that now goes to the Iowa House for consideration.
“This gives child sex abuse survivors a fair chance at justice,” said Sen. Steve Sodders, D-State Center, floor manager of a bill that was amended to extend statute of limitations for criminal offenses of lascivious acts with a child, assault with intent to commit sexual abuse, indecent contact with a child, lascivious conduct with a minor and sexual misconduct with a juvenile from the current three years to 10 years after the victim’s 18th birthday.
“For years, persons who suffered sexual abuse, often at the hands of trusted family members and friends, have been denied access to justice,” he said, citing “the atrocities of Penn State” and “almost daily” news accounts of horrific crimes against children in advocating for passage of the bill.
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