IOWA
KCCI
[with video]
Kim St. Onge
DES MOINES, Iowa —A new Iowa law being proposed by lawmakers would remove the statute of limitations for victims filing criminal charges in sexual abuse cases.
Right now, the statute of limitations for pressing charges is 10-years after the victim’s 18th birthday. After that point, you can’t file criminal charges.
Jessica Henderson said she was sexually abused by a family member for nine years from age 6 to 14. Right now, Iowa law prevents her from pressing charges in the case.
“I believe everything that has destroyed my life and made me feel like this, made me feel like nothing is from the abuse,” said Henderson.
She now suffers from depression, chronic anxiety, PTSD and was diagnosed with HPV, a sexually transmitted virus.
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