The Kansas Governor today signed into law a bill that will make it easier to prosecute sex crimes against children in the state.
The measure streamlines some crime fighting tools already in place.
One of Wyandotte County’s chief prosecutors said the State has had to work to prove some exceptions to the old law and the new will make it easier.
No longer will a child sexual assault case have to go to court within five years. And the new will allow prosecution of someone who sexually victimizes a child until the victim reaches age 28.
Sheryl Lidtke, Chief Deputy for the Wyandotte County District Attorney said, “There needs to be some protection for children out there who are not brave enough, don’t have the courage or, frankly, are being threatened and can’t come forward with their disclosures until a much later date.”
Lidtke said it’s hard to say now many more sex assault type crimes might be prosecuted under the new law that goes into effect July 1st.
Lidtke said rape crimes can be prosecuted at any time and there is no statute of limitations whether the victim is a child or adult.
According to Lidtke, efforts to educate children about their ability to seek justice for sexual assault are apparent with increased crime reporting in recent years.
The Kansas Senate addressed specific rape cases today when it turned down a proposal to remove pregnancies resulting from rape or incest from the state’s abortion restrictions.
The measure was part of a larger bill that would take away tax breaks for abortion providers and ban them from taking part in public school sex education programs.