EU Approves Directive Extending Time Limits for Child Sexual Abuse Cases

The European Union reached agreement this week on a revised Child Sexual Abuse Directive after two years of negotiations. The measure sets a minimum 32-year period for victims of rape and other serious offenses to file complaints, allowing reports until age 50 in all member states. The directive removes differences in limitation periods that previously existed across countries.

New offenses and penalties The updated rules add grooming, access to child abuse livestreams, and AI-generated images as covered offenses. They also extend the limitation period to a minimum of 20 years for most other child sexual offenses and increase penalties.

A spokesperson for the Brave Movement said the directive improves access to justice but does not replace the goal of abolishing both criminal and civil statutes of limitations in every member state.