The Legal Affairs Committee of the Riigikogu has sent a government bill to its first reading that significantly extends the statutes of limitations for sexual offenses committed against minors. The initiative, submitted by the government under number 1071 SE, provides for amendments to the Penal Code and a number of other laws. According to the authors, the innovation should ensure victims of violence have access to help and strengthen the protection of children from sexualized violence, allowing perpetrators to be held accountable even decades after the act was committed.
New Deadlines: 32 Years for Serious Contact Crimes
According to the text of the bill, the statute of limitations for the most serious and contact sexualized crimes against children will be 32 years, while for non-contact sexualized crimes it will be 20 years. As a rule, the countdown begins from the moment the victim reaches the age of majority. This means that after the law enters into force, the victim will be able to contact law enforcement agencies, for example, at the age of 50. At the same time, for crimes committed before the entry into force of the law, the currently established statutes of limitations will continue to apply — the innovation has no retroactive effect.
Position of the Committee Chairman: “Reporting a Crime Can Help Solve Another”
Madis Timpson, Chairman of the Legal Affairs Committee, emphasized that a significant portion of victims are ready to talk about what happened only at a later adult age, so the statutes of limitations must be longer than five or ten years after reaching majority. “If a victim is ready to speak, such a crime should be reported. Even if this happens decades later, the very notification of a crime can help track behavioral patterns, solve another committed crime, and stop the activity of a criminal,” Timpson stated, explaining that the purpose of the bill is to provide victims of violence with necessary assistance and increase the protection of minors.
Line Ministries Participated in the Discussion
At the committee meeting, in addition to committee members, Minister of Justice and Digital Technology Liisa Pakosta attended via video link. The discussion was also attended by Steve Andrekson, adviser to the criminal law and procedure service of the criminal policy department of the Ministry of Justice and Digital Technology; Andra Reinomägi, adviser to the development and criminal statistics service; and Kristiina Luht, head of victim support policy at the Ministry of Social Affairs. The broad participation of specialized agencies indicates the interdepartmental nature of the initiative, which affects both the criminal-legal and social components of victim protection.
First Reading Scheduled for November 18
The committee proposed including the first reading of draft law 1071 SE on the agenda of the Riigikogu plenary session on November 18, 2026, and concluding the first reading on the same day. Thus, in the coming days, parliament will begin considering the initiative, which, if adopted, will change the approach to prosecuting sexual crimes against minors and expand the window of opportunity for victims who decide to turn to law enforcement agencies years after the trauma.
