UTAH
Salt Lake City
FEBRUARY 18, 2015, BY CAROLINE CONNOLLY
SALT LAKE CITY — A Utah lawmaker criticized the state on Wednesday for not doing more to protect child victims of sexual abuse. Rep. Ken Ivory, R-West Jordan, brought a bill before a House committee that he believes will remedy the problem by removing the statute of limitations in civil cases filed by victims.
“It’s kind of tragic that Utah is one of the worst states in the nation in protecting child victims of sexual abuse,” Ivory said. “And it’s one of the best at protecting predators.”
While the statute of limitations on criminal child sexual abuse cases was eliminated in 2008, the civil requirements have made it difficult for some victims to seek justice. Under current law, the statute of limitations runs out four years after the victim turns 18, or at the time of “discovery” of the act.
“The average time for a child victim of sexual abuse is 20 years to report,” Ivory said.
The statistic was reinforced by testimony given to lawmakers.
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