Child Sexual Abuse
Statute of Limitations in Sex Abuse Cases:In the state of Illinois, most crimes have a statute of limitations, or a period of time during which a prosecution can be initiated. For most felonies, this period extends for three years after the date upon which the crime was committed. The statute of limitations for the crimes discussed in this section, however, was extended through passage of 720 ILCS 5/3-6. This statute allows for prosecution up to the victim’s 28th birthday if the offender is a family member.
If the offender is not a family member, prosecution may be initiated prior to the victim’s 28th birthday if the crime was reported to authorities before the victim turned 21 years of age.
Effects and Indicators of Abuse: Child sexual abuse is unique in that, unlike most crimes, victims are made to feel responsible for what has happened to them. Because children do not have adult coping skills, such as the ability to compartmentalize problems, the negative consequences of their sexual abuse overwhelm every aspect of their lives. No child is psychologically able to cope with repeated sexual stimulation. Even children as young as 2 to 3 years old who have no knowledge that sexual activity is “wrong” will develop problems because of this over stimulation.
