Since 2013, there has been no statute of limitations for serious sexual abuse of children under the age of twelve. Back in 2019, the SVP attempted to raise the age limit for the exclusion of the statute of limitations. However, the similar proposal was rejected at the time. The background to the demand is the increasing number of reports of sexual abuse in connection with the Roman Catholic Church.
The statute of limitations is to be excluded for offences that injure or traumatize children. However, the consumption of child pornography, for example, should still be subject to the statute of limitations.
By raising the age limit, the Federal Council is countering the fact that sexual offenses between young adults are no longer time-barred, for example if the older person is 20 and the younger person is only slightly under 16. The age of consent in Switzerland is 16, which is why such constellations are at the limit of what is permissible. Justice Minister Beat Jans is therefore of the opinion that raising the age would overshoot the mark.
Der Bundesrat argumentierte, ab 12 Jahren könne davon ausgegangen werden, dass sich die Opfer der Unrechtmässigkeit der an ihnen ausgeführten Taten bewusst seien. Entsprechend könnten sie diese auch zur Anzeige bringen.
The proposal will now go to the Council of States.
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