Overview
- The Assembly’s child-rights mission, which presented its report Wednesday, urged ending all statutes of limitation for crimes against minors in criminal cases and civil claims, and deputies filed a cross-party bill the same day.
- Backers say the change answers late disclosure, citing the child-abuse commission’s estimate of 160,000 child sex victims a year in France and an average disclosure age around 44.
- The Conseil national des barreaux and practicing lawyers warn that decades-old cases often lack proof, which could trigger many case closures and raise fairness concerns for the accused.
- Sponsors, backed by the justice minister, aim to secure a June debate slot and target January 1, 2027 for implementation, though the outcome is uncertain and the plan requires more investigators, magistrates and psychological support for victims.
- Current law lets victims file until about age 48 after childhood crimes due to a 2018 reform, and countries such as Belgium and Switzerland already allow no time limit for similar offenses.