A modification in the criminal law might be beneficial for the under aged victims of sexual assault. The previous law had certain norms and criteria, which forbid the victims from reporting the crime to the police authority. This decree was thus often accused of being helpful to the criminals as it let them away without trial. So, at last the government took the possible measures to amend the existing law. Last Friday State Senator Jacqueline Collins (D-16th) expressed his joy at the signing of the law and welcomed the modified law.
The new amended law does not have the restrictions of the previous one. It provides the gift of time to the victims of inhumane crimes. The victims are given ample time to cope with the situation before they can come to report on it to the authority. The new law provides the victim with the peace of mind and the necessary protection and privacy. With these things, the victim can very easily report about the assault. This serves as a two-way purpose. First, the justice gets a chance to establish itself. And secondly, the victim’s report can prevent the molester from harming other innocent people.
It is not just the law that prevents the sufferer from reporting about the misdeed until they reach the age of twenty. There are other social, monetary and psychological reasons to add to the miseries. According to the Coalition Against Sexual Assault of Illinois most sufferer have to wait until the 20 year statute of limitations has expired. But often the assault takes place at home by a family member. The abused is either too scared to report about the crime or she is not financially independent to take a bold step. This means that the abused will be assaulted and exploited throughout their lives. The criminal will move about freely while the safety of others is endangered.
The victims wait to relocate themselves or undergoes years of counseling before they are finally in a condition to make a revelation. The filial relationship too often poses as a problem for the abused. It is difficult for one to shed all inhibition and lodge a complaint after distancing oneself from the familiar person.
Senator Jacqueline Collins further mentions ways of preserving evidences by taking the help of advanced science. After the crime the abused has to undergo forensic and DNA testing. The sooner the analysis is done the better is the chance of accuracy. Once it is done, it can be used for criminal prosecution. It can be preserved for years and can be of aid decades after the crime is committed.
The new law will demand discretion from the prosecutors over the charges. If required the judges can ask for more investigation. The most important feature is that the current law will protect the abused against all harassments and frivolity.
As many as thirty-three states of America have already eliminated the law limiting the scope of punishment to the guilty. Collins added that without further delay, at least the sex crimes against the minors should be brought before law.
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