Letter urging Extension of Oregon Statue of Limitations on Rape

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Date: 

May 21, 2015

A letter to Oregon State Senator and Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee Floyd Prozanski, asking the Senator to amend proposed bill HB2317, which calls for doubling Oregon's current statute of limitations for rape cases without DNA evidence from six to 12 year, to include an extension of the statute of limitations to 20 years. The current proposed extension to 12 years is not long enough for Oregon to live up to its progressive reputation, or to give rape victims enough time after reporting to recover and go forward in court. 

"After rape, post-traumatic stress and fear can haunt survivors for decades, even lifetimes. Many rape victims who do report their attacks and undergo rape-kit examinations frequently lack the wherewithal to go to court immediately, where they will endure cross-examination from a defense lawyer who will work hard to undermine their credibility. A longer statute of limitations will encourage more reporting of rape, the U.S.'s most under-reported crime, because victims will know that they can go to the police, have a rape kit done, and then marshal their strength before a court date."

 

  • Fairness in the Courts
  • Violence Against Women and Girls

Author(s): 

Carol Robles-Roman

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