Taiwan extends statute of limitations for child sexual assault cases

Taipei, July 7 (CNA) The Legislature on Tuesday passed an amendment to the Criminal Code stipulating that the period from the commission of a sexual assault against a minor until the victim reaches the age of 20 will not count toward the statute of limitations for prosecution.

Under the previous law, the statute of limitations began on the date the offense was committed, which authorities said could prevent victims from obtaining justice if the limitation period expired before they were ready to come forward.

The amendment excludes the period between the time the offense was committed and the victim's 20th birthday when calculating the statute of limitations, giving victims more time to pursue criminal charges.

Statutes of limitations vary depending on the severity of the crime for child sexual assault cases, but they can range from as few as five years for less serious offenses, to as long as 30 years for severe cases in which prosecutors seek a life sentence or the death penalty for the offender.

The Executive Yuan and Judicial Yuan proposed the amendment in January this year, saying child victims of sexual assault often delay reporting abuse because of trauma, unequal power relationships with offenders, or a lack of awareness of their legal rights.

Lawmakers across party lines supported the revision, and the bill cleared its third reading without objection.