Victims of child sex abuse have more time to take action

The legal clock ticking to report child sex abuse has slowed down… But not without the help of key Arizona leaders.
“When I was 15 years old I began being molested by my then 33-year-old teammate ,” said Bridie Farrell.

Olympian Bridie Farrell shared her story of child sex abuse to explain the meaning behind the extended statute of limitations to reporting the crime that many aren’t aware they are even victims of.

She recalls her mom asking her to find a ride to the rink if she wanted to skate early in the morning.

“And I did,” said Farrell.

Her abuser was her ride to the rink.

“And my teenage body was the only currency I had in exchange for that,” detailed Farrell.

The statute of limitations, or the clock that’s ticking on how long victims have to come forward, recently went from 20 years old to 30 years old for victims to file civil lawsuits against their abusers.

” They wouldn’t hear the bill until we stopped the budget process and held the block, ” said Senator Lisa Otondo ​​​​​​.

Senator Lisa Otondo explained the fight for survivors at the Arizona State Capitol.

Amberly’s Place also at the event says sex abuse is the second-highest crime they deal with.

Sergeant Henry Valenzuela with the Yuma Police Department explained why many cases don’t move past the initial report.

“We as detectives need to do everything we can to get evidence and that evidence sometimes is, if there’s only two people in the room and the report is, let’s say a year delayed, DNA or any type of physical evidence is diminished and there were no witnesses, now the likelihood of us being able to move forward with prosecution, in that case, is very, very difficult,” said Sgt. Valenzuela.

If you are a victim of sexual abuse and it happened before you were 15 years old, you can move forward with a criminal case at any time because there is no criminal statute.