Q: If I'm 18 & this has happened to me, can I still take them to court?
If one was sexually assaulted by someone who is not blood related but related by marriage and the victim is now 18, can the victim still take their abuser to court?
A:
If the victim was under the age of 18 at the time of the offense, the State can prosecute for sexual abuse in the first, second, or third degree within 10 years of the person turning 18. See Iowa Code Section 802.2(1).
The victim should report what happened ASAP. Waiting makes evidence stale and witness testimony less reliable.
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