by Sabrina Salas Matanane

Guam - Saying he was following up on his promise to victims and victims advocates, a public hearing was held on Bill 135 introduced by Vice Speaker B.J. Cruz. The legislation would remove the statute of limitations on crimes of 1st and 2nd degree criminal sexual conduct.

It's a follow up measure to Bill 33, which was signed into law earlier this year by Governor Eddie Calvo, regarding removing the statute of limitations to child victims of sexual abuse. Bill 135 takes it a step further.

"All victims regardless of age, gender, mental or non or physical disabilities would be protected in that when and if they ever came to being strong enough and come forth with reporting the sexual abuse they endured that the criminal justice system would be able to address it and it would not be lost to statute of limitations," he said.