OREGON
The Register-Guard
By Jonathan Cooper
The Associated Press
APRIL 16, 2015
SALEM — The Oregon House voted unanimously Wednesday to give prosecutors more time to bring criminal charges in some cases of rape and sexual abuse.
Researchers say sex crimes are under-reported, and the bill’s proponents said victims shouldn’t be denied justice because too many years passed before they felt comfortable going to police.
“It ensures the courthouse doors do not close before a victim is ready and able to report the crime,” said Rep. Jennifer Williamson, D-Portland. “It means that maybe some of those six out of 10 women who don’t report don’t have to suffer in silence and have time to get to the place where they can choose their own path on how to report.”
The bill would extend the statute of limitations to 12 years from six for first-degree rape, sodomy, unlawful sexual penetration and sexual abuse.
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