The state of Pennsylvania’s overhauling of child sexual abuse laws on Tuesday by giving victims more time to file lawsuits is a step in the right direction according to a Wisconsin survivors network advocate.  Peter Isley, a founding member of SNAP (Survivors Network of those of Abused by Priest), says Wisconsin’s statute of limitations over the years has been a major concern.

Isley says prosecutors have become more aggressive in their job in recent years.  He says when a child sex offender who harms or rapes a minor leaves the state the statute actually tolls and allows more time for charges to be brought.  In Wisconsin, there is no statute of limitations for criminally prosecuting anyone for sexual contact or intercourse with a child under the age of 13.  According to state law, a sexual assault against a minor 15 years old or younger can be prosecuted until the victim turns 45 years old.