How long can someone be charged with child abuse?

Question

Is there a time limit for punishing someone for the most vile crime? A friend was abused as a child. Can this person be punished still. Thank you in advance for any reply. God bless you and your family.

These answers are bothering me. There shouldn't be a limitation.

What should one do? Should one notify the police of a criminal and how would one go about doing that

Thanks. I am a Canadian by the way. So laws might be different

Answer 1

The majority of states that limit the time within which criminal prosecutions must be brought extends the time for cases of sexual offenses against children. Those states have recognized the power imbalance between child victims and the adult perpetrators, who are often family members. Child victims are more easily intimidated by offenders. The position of authority occupied by the perpetrator also enables the offender to confuse the child, by assuring the child that the sexual conduct is not wrongful and/or threatening the child with terrible consequences if he/she discloses the activity. This makes reporting of offenses less likely. Moreover, child victims may be too young to know how or what to report. States also recognize that child victims may suffer memory repression or severe psychological trauma from the nature of the offense. For all these reasons, most legislatures have extended the limitations period for the prosecution of child sexual offenses.

Answer 2

As far as I know murder is the only crime which doesn't have a statute of limitations; maybe kidnapping & treason. But all other crimes have a limited time in which a person can be charged. The statute of limitations re child abuse does vary somewhat from state to state.

Answer 3

Unfortunately, the statute of limitations runs out[in the US] after 7 years. Do tell the cops about it!!They’ll start investigating that creep because child abusers NEVER stop- there is NO cure for this sick crap. If he abused once, he’s still at it somewhere unless he’s dead &Not a moment too soon.

Answer 4

My expertise is definite, see you later because the charge comes interior about 3 years of the abused individual coming to the interest that s/he become abused. i do not comprehend if the statute of barriers is federal or state, yet i comprehend in Florida that is about 3 yrs. as an social gathering if a 40 yo guy finally recollects or recognizes to himself that he become abused 30 yrs in the past, he has about 3 yrs from then to report expenses. It takes braveness even though it would want to keep others from a similar destiny. strong luck to you.

Answer 5

Most likely the statute of limitations is 5 years.

Answer 6

USUALLY THE PROBLEM WITH CHILD ABUSE--UNDETECTED--IS THAT IT WILL SURFACE LATER DURING INTERCOURSE--THE MIND WILL REPLAY A BAD EXPERIENCE. BECAUSE OF THIS THE PERSON IF THEY SEEK COUNSELING MAY GET TO THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM.

THE LAW SAYS THAT AT THE TIME OF DISCOVERY OF A CRIME. IF THAT IS 20 YEARS LATER THEN IT CAN BE ADDRESSED. A LOT OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE THIS EXPERIENCE WANT TO BURY IT RATHER TEN CONFRONT IT BECAUSE THIS INVOLVES A PERSON OF DEEP TRUST AND LOVE USUALLY FATHER, MOTHER, SON DAUGHTER, SIBLINGS ETC..

FOR THE ABOVE REASONS-MOST STATES ARE CHANGING THEIR LAWS TO REFLECT WHEN IT COMES TO LIGHT OR KNOWLEDGE. CHILD ABUSE SHOULD BE DELT WITH NO MATTER HOW LONG AGO IT WAS.
ONCE A MOLESTER ALWAYS A PEDOPHILE

Answer 7

Yes there is a time limit, they vary by crime and state. Murder is the only crime that I know of that has no statute of limitations.