The Ministry of Youth and Children wants to extend the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors every year. Now, time begins to pass when the victim turns 35 years old. From this moment, depending on the severity of the crime, the period for which the perpetrator’s criminal responsibility will expire is calculated. Ministerial sources say the number has increased to 45 thanks to tree planting by the ministry led by Sila Rego. As stated in the Reform of the Law for the Protection of Children and Adolescents from Violence (Lopivi) drafted by the Ministry and currently being negotiated by government order. The document was subject to several weeks of discussions with other ministries, including the Home Office and the Ministry of Justice. The purpose of pointing to these sources is so that the document can be passed by the Council of Ministers in the coming weeks and begin the process in Parliament.
In Spain, sex crimes are punishable by a minimum of five years in prison and, in the most serious cases, up to 20 years. Therefore, under Rego’s planned reforms, these crimes will not be prescribed until the victim has served at least 50 years, given that the starting period lasts for 45 years. This amendment means an amendment to the criminal law.
The path is now open to Congress to study the inviolability of these crimes. A year ago, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry approved considering changes to the penal code that would no longer impose a statute of limitations on child abuse crimes punishable by five years or more in prison. What’s happening in countries like Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland and Sweden. In any case, the parliamentary arithmetic has become very complicated since Jantz announced that he would not support the government’s efforts.
Victims of pedophilia in the church have been coming forward for years. One of the fundamental problems faced by victims of childhood sexual assault is that it takes a long time to recognize and be able to communicate that they are victims. So please don’t report it. A recent report by two of the world’s largest victims’ organizations, citing a study conducted in Germany based on testimonies of victims of child abuse in religious and secular institutions, found that the average age at which survivors disclosed their abuse was 52 years old.
In recent weeks, details of the ministry’s planned reforms in Lopivi have emerged. These include, for example, the establishment of commissions to recognize victims of childhood sexual violence, particularly in public institutions (such as education centres) and private institutions (such as churches and sports clubs). It is a recourse for victims who have already been sentenced and is recognized as such without a judicial decision, and is very common among those who have suffered decades of abuse in the clerical realm.
Around the same time, Rego shared concerns on social networks about the pedophilia scandal revealed in the diary, which led the Vatican to launch an investigation into Spanish Bishop Rafael Zornoza. “It is intolerable. We will amend Lopivi to establish a commission primarily for victims of sexual violence by such public or private institutions and to extend the statute of limitations period for these crimes. This is justice,” the minister said.
The La Lopivi law, approved in 2021, extends the statute of limitations for sexual crimes against minors to 35 years, after which the statute of limitations begins when the victim turns 18. And we have built in measures to protect children who are victims of all types of violence. This law was considered a pioneering law, but four years later children’s organizations complained that the code was out of development.
Ministry officials explained a few weeks ago, when the main contents of the amendment specifying youth and children, had been approved that structural delays had been found since it came into force, especially with regard to the legal protection of minors. They are therefore planning steps to avoid re-victimization and to ensure that the minor’s right to be heard is not resisted. Measures against violence by proxy are also permitted.
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