It is a story we've been following for you since the Jerry Sandusky child sex abuse scandal broke.
Lawmakers announced another push to do away with the statute of limitations on reporting child sex abuse. The legislation would allow sex abuse victims an unlimited amount time to go after their abusers.
A man, who says he was molested by a Cumberland County school employee about 40 years ago, spoke about it for the first time and only with us.
He says it's too late for him to get justice now, but if the laws change he says he'll take action.
Saying that it's long over-due, two state lawmakers announced their renewed push to get rid of the statute of limitations on laws in child sex abuse cases.
That means, child sex abuse victims would be allowed file criminal and civil charges against their abusers whenever they want.
The proposed changes would bring closure to people like Robert Nelson. He says that about 40 years ago, a Cumberland County school employee molested him.
But because of the statute of limitations in place, he can't do anything about it now.
“The fear that you feel, you're absolutely paralyzed of the fear when this sex abuse is going on, when you're assaulted, the hurt and pain is indescribable,” Nelson told us.
Although Nelson can't file any criminal or civil charges against his alleged abuser or the school district, he has confronted the man.
“The fact of the matter is he's a coward,” Nelson argued. “My lawyers have already contacted him and he's refusing to engage in any manner whatsoever to allow me to get closure on this.”
Law professor at Harrisburg University Scott Foulk says the statute-of-limitations in child sex cases are necessary, because it keeps innocent people from going to jail.
“How could you defend yourself? Supply an alibi witness? Supply a witness of character that's allowed into evidence?” questioned Professor Foulk. “How could you supply physical evidence when 20-30 years later, little physical evidence may exist?”
The re-introduced bills are similar to the ones introduced in the last two-legislative sessions, which died in committee.
Lawmakers announced another push to do away with the statute of limitations on reporting child sex abuse. The legislation would allow sex abuse victims an unlimited amount time to go after their abusers.
A man, who says he was molested by a Cumberland County school employee about 40 years ago, spoke about it for the first time and only with us.
He says it's too late for him to get justice now, but if the laws change he says he'll take action.
Saying that it's long over-due, two state lawmakers announced their renewed push to get rid of the statute of limitations on laws in child sex abuse cases.
That means, child sex abuse victims would be allowed file criminal and civil charges against their abusers whenever they want.
The proposed changes would bring closure to people like Robert Nelson. He says that about 40 years ago, a Cumberland County school employee molested him.
But because of the statute of limitations in place, he can't do anything about it now.
“The fear that you feel, you're absolutely paralyzed of the fear when this sex abuse is going on, when you're assaulted, the hurt and pain is indescribable,” Nelson told us.
Although Nelson can't file any criminal or civil charges against his alleged abuser or the school district, he has confronted the man.
“The fact of the matter is he's a coward,” Nelson argued. “My lawyers have already contacted him and he's refusing to engage in any manner whatsoever to allow me to get closure on this.”
Law professor at Harrisburg University Scott Foulk says the statute-of-limitations in child sex cases are necessary, because it keeps innocent people from going to jail.
“How could you defend yourself? Supply an alibi witness? Supply a witness of character that's allowed into evidence?” questioned Professor Foulk. “How could you supply physical evidence when 20-30 years later, little physical evidence may exist?”
The re-introduced bills are similar to the ones introduced in the last two-legislative sessions, which died in committee.