Ohio lawmakers are considering legislation to give survivors of sexual assault five years to file a lawsuit against a perpetrator.

The proposal is before the Senate Judiciary Committee.

Emily Gemar, director of public policy and communications for the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence, said the state's current law gives adult survivors up to two years to seek civil justice. Gemar noted research shows survivors of sexual violence often experience long-lasting trauma, which can affect their ability to file a lawsuit soon after an assault.

“There are really tangible costs,” Gemar explained. “Some people experience a sexual assault in college and have to drop out of college in order to seek recovery and support.”

According to state data, 46% of reported sexual assaults in Ohio between 2016 and 2023 were rape. Nearly half of sexual assault victims knew the suspect but were not friends with them. Most victims were female, white and under 18 years old.

Teresa Stafford, CEO of the Hope and Healing Survivor Resource Center in Akron, said survivors often face financial burdens after an assault, including counseling and medical expenses, lost income and relocation costs.

She argued extending the statute of limitations would give survivors more time to make important decisions when they are emotionally, mentally and physically safe enough to do so.

“Healing is oftentimes a lifelong process,” Stafford acknowledged. Survivors may be paying co-pays, she observed, while some are “paying for the counseling completely out of pocket because they don’t have access to insurance.”

Support and resources for survivors in Ohio are available through the state’s Sexual Violence Helpline at 844-644-6435 or through the helpline’s web chat service.

Source: Public News Service