MASSACHUSETTS : Rape/Molestation Statutes of Limitation
Rape: Whoever has sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with a person, and compels such person to submit by force and against his will, or compels such person to submit by threat of bodily injury and if either such sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse results in or is committed with acts resulting in serious bodily injury, or is committed by a joint enterprise.
Rape of child: Whoever has sexual intercourse or unnatural sexual intercourse with a child under sixteen (16), and compels said child to submit by force and against his will or compels said child to submit by threat of bodily injury
("Unnatural sexual intercourse is defined as oral and anal intercourse, including fellatio, cunnilingus, and other intrusions of a part of a person's body or other object into the genital or anal opening of another person's body")
The statute of limitations for rape is fifteen (15) years in Massachusetts.
Bob rapes Jane. Jane has fifteen (15) years from the date the crime occured to bring charges against Bob.
In the event of the rape of a child, the fifteen (15) year limit does not begin to run until the victim reaches the age of sixteen (16).
Bob rapes 13-year-old Jane. When she turns 16, she gets up the courage to report Bob. She has fifteen (15) years to do so.
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