NEW MEXICO (KRQE) – A bill that would eliminate the statute of limitations on certain sex crimes, including those against children, is moving forward in the Roundhouse. On Sunday, the Senate Health and Public Affairs Committee discussed Senate Bill 41, which would eliminate the time cap on when survivors of sexual assault could come forward to report and prosecute the offender.
Supporters of the bill say this change reflects what data shows about why so many of these crimes go underreported, or reported years later. “Fear, shame, threats, lack of safety, and distrust of systems all contribute to the delayed reporting current statute of limitations fail to reflect this reality and protect those who cause harm,” said Director of the Coalition to Stop Violence Against Native Women Tiffany Jiron.
But opponents argue that while the …
