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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... Emergency services, Oct. 16 ... Since You Asked: Park resurfacing delayed during winter ... SOU training gives tips on what to do if there's an active shooter ... OREGON LEGISLATURE Oregon Senate votes to double time for sex crimes charges It would set statute of limitations at 12 years, up from six Comment By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 3:55 PM By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 3:55 PM » Social News SALEM — The Oregon Senate approved a bill Thursday doubling the amount of time rape or sexual assault victims would have to press charges against their abusers, despite requests from sexual assault victims to expand it even further or get rid of it completely. The measure would set the statute of limitations at 12 years, up from six. Sexual assault victims pushed hard to expand it even further, and two amendments, one increasing the limits to 20 years and the other eliminating the statute of limitations altogether, were introduced in a Senate committee. Neither amendment was taken up, and Senate Committee on Judiciary Chair Sen. Floyd Prozanski said he'd convene a work group to study whether the statute should be expanded beyond 12 years. Several victims have testified their cases were never tried because the time limits on prosecutions ran out by the time they were ready to come forward. Some said they were happy some changes were coming, but others said lawmakers should have pressed for a longer statute of limitations while they had momentum. "Every time we do something like this, and you ask survivors to keep coming back and sharing their stories publicly, it begins to take its toll," said Danielle Tudor. Tudor was sexually assaulted in 1979 by Richard Troy Gillmore, who has been called the "Jogger Rapist." Gillmore admitted to raping nine women, but was only prosecuted for one attack because the others fell outside the state's statute of limitations, which was three years at the time. Opponents of increasing the time limits have said the six-year statute recognizes that evidence can corrupt over time, making it difficult to prosecute sexual assault crimes years after they occur. Though the measure passed with unanimous approval, several lawmakers said they were disappointed they weren't extending the statute further. "I voted yes today on this measure, but OMG. We're gonna do a study on this. Just another study. I don't think we need to do a study on this," said Hood River Republican Sen. Chuck Thomsen. The bill passed 28-0. It now heads to the governor. By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press MailTribune.com By Sheila V. Kumar The Associated Press Posted Jun. 4, 2015 at 3:55 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501