The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio must change statute of limitation­s laws

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Hooray for U.S. District Judge Michael H. Watson in recognizin­g that the victims of former Ohio State University doctor Richard Strauss continue to suffer the torment of abuse, not just at the hands of their predator, the athletic directors, coaches, administra­tion and others that didn’t protect them.

Also, the statute of limitation­s laws of Ohio — and most obviously, our legislator­s of this state. They have, in their own hands, the power to reform these archaic laws.

Judge Watson states that while they have the power, they don’t seem to have the will.

But why?

They should know that these laws were written before we knew the average age a sexually abused person will report their abuse is age 52.

As a concerned parent, I have wondered why parents are not demanding representa­tives and senators make this change, because reforming these ” laws allows victims to seek justice, but also, we will be better protecting our children from hidden predators.

Many other states in this country, most recently Louisiana and Arkansas just this year, have a legislativ­e body that threw off their partisan concerns and did what was right, not just for victims, but for our children. When will Ohio do the same? Teresa Dinwiddie-herrmann, Cincinnati

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