A new bill in the Ohio legislature would lift the 25-year statute of limitations on criminal prosecution of rape cases, reports ABC 6. House Bill 266 would also eliminate the period of limitation for a civil action brought by a victim of conduct that would constitute rape and extend the period of limitations for a civil action by a victim of childhood sexual abuse other than rape and eliminate the spousal exception for the offense of rape. Currently, the period can only be increased by another five years if new DNA evidence comes to light.
One opponent, State Rep. Bill Seitz, says that rape is not as serious as murder, which is the only crime in Ohio with no statute of limitations. He argues that current limitations on rape cases serve to encourage victims to come forward when an offense is fresh in their mind so witnesses and evidence can be collected. An analysis by Child USA found the average victim came forward about 30 years after the abuse.