Rep. Johnson speaks out against limits on victims of rape seeking justice

State Rep. Greta Johnson (D-Akron) today applauded the House’s passage of legislation to extend the statute of limitations for rape, while saying the legislators could still do more to bring justice to victims of rape and sexual battery.

House Bill 6 will extend the statute of limitations for rape from 20 to 25 years for all cases. It will also extend the statute another five years for cases in which there is a DNA match. Today Rep. Johnson, a former assistant county prosecutor, spoke on the House floor about ways in which the bill could be improved, such as by eliminating the statute of limitations for rape entirely.

“This bill is a positive step forward, but removing the statute of limitations would go even further in helping victims. Having the courage and ability to speak out against such an atrocious act as rape should not be limited by a legislative timeline,” said Rep. Johnson. “I believe that we can and should eliminate the statute of limitations for rape in its entirety.”

Rep. Johnson is requesting more progressive legislation, as well as a shift in the conversation from reaction to prevention.

“As a mother of three-year old twin daughters, my investment in this issue has exponentially increased,” Rep. Johnson recently told advocates from the Ohio Alliance to End Sexual Violence. “I promise to do better as a legislator in fulfilling my obligation to educate communities not only on how to respond to instances of rape and sexual battery and to help victims, but on how to prevent these acts from occurring in the first place.”