ST. PAUL, MINN. – Today, State Rep. Ilhan Omar (DFL – Minneapolis) and State Sen. Sandy Pappas (DFL – St. Paul) gathered with community leaders working to prevent sexual violence to unveil their bill to repeal the statute of limitations for criminal sexual conduct and sex trafficking.
Rep. Omar was motivated to author the bill after meeting survivors of sexual violence and hearing how the limitations within the criminal justice system can lead to revictimization and a feeling of helplessness.
“The current statute of limitations for these crimes are simply arbitrary dates that don’t help survivors of sexual violence reach justice,” said Rep. Omar. “We want to help survivors have as many choices and tools to seek justice as possible, whenever they are ready to do so.”
The #MeToo movement has paved the way for many survivors of sexual violence to share their stories. Rep. Omar wants to ensure survivors of sexual violence feel supported, and could now have the choice to come forward to report acts of criminal sexual conduct at any time.
“Our culture now has a heightened awareness of acts of sexual violence, but we need our laws to reflect the support we want to give the survivors of sexual violence and human trafficking,” said Sen. Pappas. “By making this change, we can guarantee that survivors can come forward when they are ready, and begin the process of seeking justice at the time that they choose without arbitrary restrictions in law.”
If passed by the House and Senate, the bill would take effect and apply to acts of sexual violence and sex trafficking committed on or after August 1, 2018.
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