I think this is an attempt to distract from the real problem in the Hastert case. A statute of limitations is necessary except where a cover up is apparent and that has to cancel the statute of limitations. You can't just have any thirty year old claim their 3rd grade teacher molested them and then force them to stand trial. You'd have all kinds of fake accusations against teachers kids hated.
If you're gonna accuse someone that far after the incident(s) allegedly occurred, you'd better have EVIDENCE to support your claim. Because as time goes on, people die and/or move away (sometimes out of country), become too ill to testify, memories fade, etc. Physical evidence (DNA) may degrade too if not preserved properly. Generally speaking, the longer one waits the weaker the case.
That said, abuse victims may block out what happened to them for decades. My sexual abuse occurred at 4, but I didn't remember it until I was 52. It poses a real conundrum for the criminal justice system.
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The_Kuru ago
I think this is an attempt to distract from the real problem in the Hastert case. A statute of limitations is necessary except where a cover up is apparent and that has to cancel the statute of limitations. You can't just have any thirty year old claim their 3rd grade teacher molested them and then force them to stand trial. You'd have all kinds of fake accusations against teachers kids hated.
3141592653 ago
A number of states have no statute of limitations. I think it is best for the victims
equineluvr ago
It all boils down to EVIDENCE.
If you're gonna accuse someone that far after the incident(s) allegedly occurred, you'd better have EVIDENCE to support your claim. Because as time goes on, people die and/or move away (sometimes out of country), become too ill to testify, memories fade, etc. Physical evidence (DNA) may degrade too if not preserved properly. Generally speaking, the longer one waits the weaker the case.
That said, abuse victims may block out what happened to them for decades. My sexual abuse occurred at 4, but I didn't remember it until I was 52. It poses a real conundrum for the criminal justice system.