LEGISLATION IN THE ILLINOIS SENATE WOULD GIVE CHILD SEX ABUSE VICTIMS MORE TIME TO REPORT THE CRIME.
THE MEASURE ELIMINATES THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS FOR PROSECUTING FELONY SEX CRIMES AGAINST CHILDREN. ATTORNEY GENERAL LISA MADIGAN IS A LEAD PROPONENT OF THE BILL, SAYING IT CAN TAKE CHILD ABUSE VICTIMS SEVERAL YEARS TO COME FORWARD.
IT’S SUPPORTED BY SCOTT CROSS, WHO SAYS HE WAS AN ABUSE VICTIM OF FORMER U-S HOUSE SPEAKER DENNIS HASTERT.
MADIGAN IS ALSO A MAJOR PROPONENT OF THE LEGISLATION, SAYING MOST OFTEN, THE ABUSER IS AN ADULT THE CHILD KNOWS WELL WHICH MAKES IT ESPECIALLY HARD FOR THE VICTIM TO REPORT THE CRIME.
MADIGAN SAYS IT’S ESTIMATED NATIONALLY THAT 25 PERCENT OF GIRLS AND 16 PERCENT OF BOYS ARE SEXUALLY ASSAULTED OR ABUSED BEFORE THEY TURN 18.
