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Indicator
Elimination of statutes of limitations in relation to childhood sexual violence in criminal law
Many survivors take decades to disclose abuse due to trauma, fear, or delayed recognition
Legal barriers to justice persist in most G7 countries. Only the UK, the USA and Canada have eliminated criminal statutes of limitations for sexual violence crimes, including those against children.
Japan has not abolished criminal statutes of limitations in relation to childhood sexual violence (1). Germany has made partial progress on abolishing criminal statutes of limitations in relation to childhood sexual violence, but more legal reforms are required (2). Italy’s legal framework on criminal statutes of limitations provides inadequate protection for survivors (3) and France has not abolished criminal statutes of limitations in relation to child sex abuse offences (4). As EU member states, Germany, Italy and France must champion the approval of the recast Directive 2011/93/EU, which would mandate a strong minimum statute of limitations for childhood sexual violence offences in all EU countries.
1. 2. 3. and 4. Miguel Hurtado et al. (Forthcoming). Brave & CHILDGlobal SOL Task Force G7 Report.
The digital world has amplified children’s exposure to sexual exploitation and abuse, exposing children to unprecedented risks
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Indicators
- Financial investment in development aid for childhood protection
- Elimination of statutes of limitations in relation to childhood sexual violence in criminal law
- Implementation of national action plans or strategy to address childhood sexual violence
- Engagement with survivors through a government-supported or endorsed national survivor council
- Safe internet
About the G7 Scorecard
This 2025 #BeBrave G7 Scorecard builds on the first iteration of the analysis conducted in 2022, assessing each G7 country on how they are responding to childhood sexual violence at home and around the world.
Previous G7 Communiqués have made bold commitments to ending sexual violence against children. On the G7 forum's 50th anniversary the scorecard, based on a strategic set of policy indicators, assesses whether the G7 has delivered on these.
