ATLANTA (January 24, 2012) – This week, Senator Charlie Bethel (R- Dalton) filed Senate Bill 316 that will effectively extend the time period in which legal action can be taken against those who commit sexual abuse crimes against children.
“We must send a strong, lasting message that Georgia is not a welcome place for child predators. It is imperative that we act now to shed light on these crimes taking place in our state and across our nation,” said Bethel. “The veil of a short statue of limitation could mean that many predators never come to justice; this bill will see that children are protected long after these heinous crimes have occurred.”
The bill tolls the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against children under the age of 16 until the victim’s 18th birthday and will allow prosecution until most victims are 28. The intention is to provide an outlet of justice for those who may have been too young or too traumatized to know the severity or nature of the crime committed against them.
Specifically, the bill expands the statute of limitations to ten years after the victims 18th birthday for all covered crimes and fifteen years for forcible rape. For a civil claim, the statute is tolled until criminal prosecution is completed, but never more than 20 years. This bill will specifically be used when an offender has multiple victims over several years and is being prosecuted.
RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
January 24, 2012
For Information Contact:
Natalie Dale, Director
natalie.dale@senate.ga.gov
404.656.0028