LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – The statute of limitations in Arkansas could be a thing of the past when it comes to investigating sex abuse against children.
The Smith brothers from Texarkana learned Arkansas’ statute of limitations the hard way. After being sexually molested as children and then turning to the legal system later in life, the brothers found that time doesn’t heal all things.
For nearly three decades, Matt and Marc Smith lived with a secret. Their little league baseball coach in Texarkana molested them. The pain resurfaced in 2011 when Marc began coaching his son in baseball.
“I had actually seen him at the ball field where I was coaching my son. That did initiate some of this,” said Smith.
Richard Roberts coached the Smiths’ baseball team and molested both of them and others in the 1980’s. Once Marc came forward, it appeared to be too late.
“The age for you to come forward before the limitation was 28. Age 28, and these young men were all in their 30’s,” said Rep. Prissy Hickerson from Texarkana.
Under Arkansas law, Roberts could not be charged. Not all hope was lost for the victims. Roberts confessed to crossing state lines with the boys and then federal charges were brought.
“He went in front of the grand jury in August, and he pleaded guilty in November to one count of transporting a minor across state lines,” said Matt Smith.
While the Smiths almost missed their chance at justice, Senate Bill 92 aims to make sure no one else ever will in Arkansas. It would wipe out the age limit in child sex abuse cases.
“So that a prosecution can be commenced at any time once information is brought to authorities,” said Matt Smith.
The bill passed in the House Judiciary Committee and will now go to full house for a vote.
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00SOL Reformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgSOL Reform2013-02-14 19:04:372014-05-19 19:05:37Bill could take age limit out of child sex abuse statute
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State law currently allows sex abuse charges to be filed at any time if new DNA evidence is found. Without that, the crimes can be difficult to prove so many decades later.
“Statute of limitations currently are archaic and predator friendly,” she said.
The Senate Law and Justice Committee is now looking at extending the statute of limitations so accused child sex predators can be charged up until the victim’s 30th birthday.
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Senate Bill 5100 would allow rape cases involving victims younger than 18 to be prosecuted until the victim turns 30, remove the one-year reporting requirement and expand the statute of limitations for other sex crimes involving minors like child molestation and indecent liberties.
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The Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will soon reveal 30,000 pages of confidential personnel files without blacking out the names of the church leaders who knew about sexual abuse by priests and made key decisions on how to handle it
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00solreformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgsolreform2013-02-02 22:55:232013-04-06 01:51:36CA SOL reform led to mass release of documents about abuse
CA window is reason we now know LA Archdiocese was watching short SOLs to avoid liability
Letter from Rev. Msgr. Dyer July 1992: “The willingness of the Archdiocese to expend in the neighborhood of $60,000 for treatment for Father Barmasse should be ample testimony to this pastoral approach. NO penal process was begun because, at the time of the first intervention with Father Barmasse concerning the allegations, other remedies were agreed upon mutualy. Finally, you are correct in statitng that the statute of limitations has run out for any action on the 1982 allegations. That is of no relevance to me because the Archdiocese did not and does not have any desire to initiate a penal action against Father Barmasse on that or any of the other allegations made against him…” (page 121)
http://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpg00solreformhttp://sol-reform.com/News/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/Hamilton-Logo.jpgsolreform2013-02-02 19:49:272013-02-02 19:49:27CA window is reason we now know LA Archdiocese was watching short SOLs to avoid liability
Bill could take age limit out of child sex abuse statute
/in Arkansas /by SOL ReformView article as PDF
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KTHV) – The statute of limitations in Arkansas could be a thing of the past when it comes to investigating sex abuse against children.
The Smith brothers from Texarkana learned Arkansas’ statute of limitations the hard way. After being sexually molested as children and then turning to the legal system later in life, the brothers found that time doesn’t heal all things.
For nearly three decades, Matt and Marc Smith lived with a secret. Their little league baseball coach in Texarkana molested them. The pain resurfaced in 2011 when Marc began coaching his son in baseball.
“I had actually seen him at the ball field where I was coaching my son. That did initiate some of this,” said Smith.
Richard Roberts coached the Smiths’ baseball team and molested both of them and others in the 1980’s. Once Marc came forward, it appeared to be too late.
“The age for you to come forward before the limitation was 28. Age 28, and these young men were all in their 30’s,” said Rep. Prissy Hickerson from Texarkana.
Under Arkansas law, Roberts could not be charged. Not all hope was lost for the victims. Roberts confessed to crossing state lines with the boys and then federal charges were brought.
“He went in front of the grand jury in August, and he pleaded guilty in November to one count of transporting a minor across state lines,” said Matt Smith.
While the Smiths almost missed their chance at justice, Senate Bill 92 aims to make sure no one else ever will in Arkansas. It would wipe out the age limit in child sex abuse cases.
“So that a prosecution can be commenced at any time once information is brought to authorities,” said Matt Smith.
The bill passed in the House Judiciary Committee and will now go to full house for a vote.
Former Damien students file lawsuit for alleged sexual abuse
/in Hawaii, Hawaii Window /by SOL ReformHawaii News Now – KGMB and KHNL
Wash steps up on sol reform!
/in Washington /by SOL ReformWashington looking to extend statute of limitations for child abuse
View Article as PDF
Extension of child-rape statute of limitations proposed in Washington
/in Washington /by SOL ReformCA SOL reform led to mass release of documents about abuse
/in California /by solreformThe Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Los Angeles will soon reveal 30,000 pages of confidential personnel files without blacking out the names of the church leaders who knew about sexual abuse by priests and made key decisions on how to handle it
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