Antonio Testifies on Bill to End Statute of Limitations for Rape
November 29, 2022
Nickie J. Antonio News
Today, state Senator Nickie J. Antonio (D-Lakewood) provided sponsor testimony on Senate Bill 198, which would eliminate criminal and civil statutes of limitations for rape in Ohio. The bill would not apply to crimes already past the statute of limitations.
“Originally, the statute of limitations for sex crimes was created based on the idea that evidence deteriorates over time. However, this concept has not withstood the test of time. DNA testing technology has advanced enough to detect evidence that is decades old,” said Antonio. “There should be no time limit for survivors to seek justice for such a grievous violation of their rights and their bodies.”
Under current law, prosecution against a perpetrator of rape or sexual battery must begin within 25 years after the crime was committed or attempted, with an additional 5-year extension if DNA evidence identifies a particular suspect. In 2015, the Ohio Legislature extended this statute of limitations from 20 years. “The modernization of Ohio’s statute of limitations on rape is well overdue,” Antonio said. “It is time to give survivors of sex crimes the opportunity to seek the justice that they deserve and remove the artificial line in the sand that prevents them from coming forward to report such emotionally traumatic and violent experiences, especially because every survivor processes their trauma in their own time.”
Seven other states have already removed the statute of limitations for all felony sex crimes, while many more have eliminated the statute of limitations for at least a portion of their felony sex offenses. Senate Bill 198 now awaits further hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Originally, the statute of limitations for sex crimes was created based on the idea that evidence deteriorates over time. However, this concept has not withstood the test of time. DNA testing technology has advanced enough to detect evidence that is decades old,” said Antonio. “There should be no time limit for survivors to seek justice for such a grievous violation of their rights and their bodies.”
Under current law, prosecution against a perpetrator of rape or sexual battery must begin within 25 years after the crime was committed or attempted, with an additional 5-year extension if DNA evidence identifies a particular suspect. In 2015, the Ohio Legislature extended this statute of limitations from 20 years. “The modernization of Ohio’s statute of limitations on rape is well overdue,” Antonio said. “It is time to give survivors of sex crimes the opportunity to seek the justice that they deserve and remove the artificial line in the sand that prevents them from coming forward to report such emotionally traumatic and violent experiences, especially because every survivor processes their trauma in their own time.”
Seven other states have already removed the statute of limitations for all felony sex crimes, while many more have eliminated the statute of limitations for at least a portion of their felony sex offenses. Senate Bill 198 now awaits further hearings in the Senate Judiciary Committee.