There is no statute of limitation (i.e., a time frame set by government in which a crime may be prosecuted) in the U.S. for murder. So why are there state-by-state time limits for sexual assault, and why is the Catholic Church actively attempting to protect sex offenders from prosecution?
The New York Times reported this week that the Catholic Church has been lobbying politicians regarding time limits on sexual assault. And, rather than make it easier for victims to face their perpetrators, the Church may be hoping to do just the opposite. It seems the Church doesn't want children who were sexually abused to have the opportunity to prosecute the priests who they claim have harmed them. What about the risks posed by fuzzy memories or evidence contamination, after all? According to the Church, these are two of the many reasons that boys and girls molested by priests shouldn't get their days in court...
Rather than do what is Christ-like -- what is right and what is good -- the Catholic Church hired outside consultants to make it even harder for victims to face their alleged perpetrators in criminal court. And, by protecting its own selfish interests, it inadvertently provides safe haven for rapists and pedophiles the nation over who benefit from time elapsing on their crimes.
When the statute of limitations for sexual assault expires, the only ones who lets out a sigh of relief is the rapist and his/her abettors. Predators who have not been caught should live in constant fear of prosecution, an ever-present reminder of the atrocities they exacted. They should be forced to look over their shoulders until their last breaths are drawn, fearing the moment when they may be held accountable for their crimes. The victim cannot forget what happened, why should sexual criminals or our legal system or the Catholic Church be afforded such luxury?
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