ILLINOIS
Our Quad Cities
By: Krista Burris
Posted: May 23, 2017
MOLINE, Ill. – Young victims of sexual abuse might have more time to file criminal charges against their offenders.
Illinois state lawmakers passed legislation to remove the statute of limitations on these crimes.
“Research shows the brain blocks these memories. People don’t even remember them until they’re finally ready to process them,” said Child Abuse Council of the Quad Cities Executive Director Mark Mathews.
Mathews says the legislation is necessary because many victims aren’t ready to take action against offenders until they’re well into adulthood.
“I think it will help more people feel comfortable coming forward. In the cases of Dennis Hastert or Penn State University, what built the case was the pattern of abuse and so many different people coming forward with similar stories,” said Mathews.
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