Child Molestation Statute of Limitations Removed by New Law in Louisiana; Aim to Help Victims to Come Forward

Child molestation victims in Louisiana appreciate lawmakers for passing a bill that lifts time limits on prosecuting suspected child molesters. This will protect victims who are often too traumatized to come forward right away.

In the past, state law said that victims of child molestation had to file a police report within 30 years of the claimed crime. Many people said this window wasn’t long enough because it takes victims a long time to come forward in a system that can be scary.

John Anderson, who was abused, said, “Things are being looked at a lot differently now; the truth is starting to come out.”

As a result, lawmakers passed House Bill 453, which removed time limits from the ability of anyone who has been abused as a child to file charges. The bill was passed by a large majority.

Now that the statute of limitations has run out, child molesters can be charged and punished. Victims say the new law is good news.

As of now, the new law removes the time limit for criminal prosecution of people accused of molesting children. However, victims like John Anderson are eagerly awaiting a decision from the state Supreme Court that will remove the time limit for child sex abuse victims to file civil lawsuits. That choice should come soon.