Sioux City Times

Two Iowa senators are leading a bipartisan effort to eliminate the statute of limitations on criminal and civil actions involving sexual abuse of children. 

Sen. Janet Petersen, the Senate’s minority leader and a longtime crusader on the issue, wants to eliminate the statute of limitations on criminal charges as other states have done. Petersen said increasing the time frame for bringing a civil claim to 25 years after the victim is 18, will be of great help to victims. She also favors allowing any expired claims to be revived.

Sen. Brad Zaun, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the issue is a priority for him this session. He plans to bring the bill before the full committee in hopes of clearing the 2020 session’s first “funnel” deadline that requires policy bills to pass through at least one Senate or House standing committee to remain eligible this year.

“I think this is a really important first step,” Zaun told the Sioux City Journal. “Is this perfect? No, it’s a first step in the right direction.”

Petersen said Iowa lags behind other states when it comes to helping victims of childhood sexual abuse. Many children repress the memories and are unable to seek help and make complaints until years after abuse has occurred, she said.