Is there a statute of limitation on reporting child sexual abuse?
Since 1 April 2013, sexual offences against children that carry a sentence of eight years are no longer subject to a limitation period. This means, for example, that there is no longer a statute of limitation for rape, indecent assault and intercourse with children younger than 16 years of age.
The statute of limitations has been scrapped for serious sexual offences committed after 1 April 2013 and for offences for which the limitation period had not yet expired on that date.
Exception to statute of limitation if offender is a minor
If the sex offender was aged between 12 and 16 years when the offence was committed, then a limitation period of 20 years applies. There is no limitation period for serious sexual offences committed by offenders aged 16 or 17 years.