EU steps closer to ending statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse crimes: Brave Movement statement on the EU Committee LIBE vote

The Brave Movement welcomes the first-ever vote by MEPs in favour of abolishing time limits in all EU countries for the prosecution of child-sex offenders.

The LIBE Committee of EU parliamentarians today endorsed the first-ever EU text calling for the end of all statutes of limitations for sexual crimes against children. Currently, millions of survivors across the EU are deprived of access to justice by such time limits, which allow perpetrators to evade prosecution and remain in dangerous contact with other children. The Committee also endorsed the abolition of time limits for survivors to get financial compensation from their perpetrators for the harm they have suffered due to the sexual abuse.

Brave is also grateful for the historic recognition of survivors in the same text, which gives those who have experienced sexual violence in childhood but have not been recognised as a victim by a legal process the chance to have a voice and access assistance. We strongly urge all MEPs to endorse the LIBE position and to cement the European Parliament’s role as a strong leader in the fight against childhood sexual violence in the forthcoming parliamentary vote on the week of the 16th June.