SANTIAGO ¨C Chilean President Sebastian Pinera signed into law on Thursday a bill to remove the statute of limitations on sex crimes involving children amid a sex abuse crisis that has rocked the country¡¯s Catholic Church and claimed more than 200 victims.
The law, which first was proposed in 2010, ends impunity in cases that would have previously had a statute of limitations that varied between five and 10 years, depending on the nature of the crime. The new law is not retroactive.
¡°Beginning today, the passing of time will never more be an accomplice to those who abuse our children, nor an ally of impunity,¡± Pinera said.
The center-right Pinera revived the nearly decade-old bill last year, following a visit to the South American nation by the pope that brought to the surface a string of abuse allegations now being investigated by prosecutors.
Chile¡¯s Public Ministry says it is investigating more than 150 cases of sexual abuse or cover-up involving the Catholic Church.
The new law applies to crimes of rape, sexual abuse, the production of pornographic materials and prostitution involving children and adolescents.
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