statute of limitations

By Fr. Wilson ( articles ) | Jun 26, 2003

The Supreme Court also ruled, in a case which has direct implications on clergy sex abuse cases, that the statute of limitations cannot be retroactively erased or tampered with by the government.

Victims of sexual abuse and their advocates are deeply disappointed. This decision renders null a recent California law giving victims of sexual abuse a year-long window to file cases in which the statute of limitations had expired. Advocates for victims point out that some victims can only deal with what was done to them years afterward.

But these laws do exist for a reason, and have a long history in our justice system. No doubt existing statutes will be carefully reviewed and revised for future cases. Meanwhile, it is a great sorrow to hear the disappointed response of those who have been harmed.