Kansas lawmakers approve bill making it easier for child SA victims to pursue criminal charges

Activists, as well as survivors of child sexual abuse, have continuously advocated for better legal action against perpetrators, making it easier to punish those who abuse children. Recently, the state of Kansas passed a new bill that will allow for quicker and easier criminal charges against child abuse suspects, even if the abuse took place decades ago.

The bill eliminates time restrictions that limit the authorities’ ability to charge suspects with various sexual offenses against minors such as indecent liberties, online child pornography sales, and aggravated human trafficking. This legal measure will also give child abuse victims more time to file lawsuits and receive financial compensation.

According to the Kansas Bureau of Investigation (KBI), the prevalence of abuse reports regarding Roman Catholic clergies across the United States and time limitations prevented charges from being laid. In response to this, the proposed Kansas bill extends the time victims have to report sexual abuse until their 31st birthday or three years after the abuser is charged with the specific crime.

On Wednesday, the Senate passed the law unanimously after a swift committee hearing, and the House is set to vote on it next week.

“I am sad to say the person who sexually assaulted me is still out in the public and has never been held accountable,” said Earl McIntosh, a 57-year-old Topeka resident who was molested by a teenage neighbor when he was 10 years old. McIntosh was one of the individuals who testified in the Senate committee.

Kansas law reform advocates have waited years to secure legislative hearings in previous years, but bipartisan measures have recently been implemented. Survivors of child sexual abuse have set up booths at the Statehouse to speak with lawmakers, and the survivors’ lobbying efforts have undoubtedly had a significant impact on the swift passage of the bill.

Child USA, a Philadelphia-based think tank, reports that 18 United States states have abolished the statute of limitations for crimes involving a minor. At least 15 states are exempt from any statute of limitations concerning child abuse.

The elimination of the $500,000 cap on damages in claims against the government has caused concern among some insurance providers. They claim that the increased cost of compensation should the bill pass will force businesses out of the state. The Kansas Faternal Order of Police voiced concern that the bill would cause chaos in criminal investigations and trials.

The Kansas Catholic Conference and a significant number of other people, however, agreed that the bill will bring justice to sexual abuse survivors.

“There is no time limitation on when the Catholic Church will offer services and support to clergy abuse victims,” the statement read.

The bill’s passing was a win for sexual abuse survivors who have long fought for better laws to combat sexual abuse.

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