Wider window?

The Virginia Senate last week approved a bill, sponsored by Republican Frederick Quayle, that would extend the window of time people have to file claims of sexual abuse against accused attackers from two years to 20 years. A House version, sponsored by Del. Dave Albo, that extends the limit to eight years is working through committee.

The proposal met with opposition from some in the Catholic Church, which has been shaken in recent years by widespread disclosures of sexual abuse by members of the clergy and faced numerous lawsuits.

Corporations and non-profits, including churches, can be sued under statute of limitations law if deemed to be complicit in the abuse.

Jeff Caruso, executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference, said his organization supports raising the current two-year limit provided the extension is reasonable and also fair to the victims.

"We're open to a reasonable extension, but I do think that what other states have to say on this is instructive," he said.

Only six states have statute of limitations of 15 years or longer. The majority of states allow two to five years.

Current Virginia laws gives victims two years to file nearly all civil claims, including child molestation. The time period begins either from the act, from when the accuser turns 18 or, in cases where the memories are suppressed, when the accuser realizes he or she was abused.

Advocates of the extension say the longer time frame is necessary given that many children repress memories of abuse and fail to acknowledge the experience until years, or decades, later. Even then, they may hesitate to come forward.

"The perpetrator's greatest weapon is intimidating the victim into silence," said Camille Cooper, director of legislative affairs for the National Association to Protect Children.

Church leaders warn that extending the deadline too far would force third parties to defend themselves from decades old crimes, even if the perpetrators have died, memories have faded, and evidence has been lost.

"It's extremely important to be fair to victims," Caruso said in an interview with The Free Lance-Star. "[But] there are very good reasons why a statute of limitations exists in the first place. When you get out to 25 years, that defeats the very good reasons."

If both versions pass, the House and Senate will work together to reconcile the conflicting limits.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.