A bill pending in the Iowa House would more than double the length of the statute of limitations for rape cases, and in situations involving minors, extend the limit from five years to 10 years after they turn 18.

Rep. Chuck Larson, R-Anamosa, said the bill is a response to new technology, such as DNA testing, that makes prosecuting older rape cases more feasible.

“I think [the bill] will be a tremendous help in doing justice to rape victims. I was a former prosecutor for Jones County, and I worked with many people who were victims of rape. Being able to do something about it helps with the healing process,” Larson said.

Bob Brammer, spokesman for the Iowa Attorney General’s Office, said his office would be open to considering lengthening the statute of limitations for rape cases.

“DNA is strong evidence in solving assault cases. Right now, the statute is three years and, for minors, five years after the person has turned 18, but there is no statute for murder cases,” Brammer said.

Larson, who is a member of the House Judiciary Committee that is now considering the bill, said he is confident the bill will make it out of committee and be presented to the full House soon because it is a natural reaction to new technological advances. The bill was introduced Wednesday.

A longer statute of limitations would aid in cases where the accused rapist is an acquaintance of the victim, but it would be especially helpful in stranger rape, Larson said.

Julie Wooden, sexual assault services coordinator at Assault Care Center Extending Shelter and Support (ACCESS), said sexual-assault victims sometimes wait weeks, months and even years before they report rapes. Because of that, a longer statute of limitations would help put more sexual assailants behind bars.

Wooden said a majority of sexual assaults, about 75 percent, are acquaintance rape, and about 25 percent are committed by attackers the victims do not know.

“This will help women who do not know their assailant or knew them but just didn’t have enough proof before,” she said.

Judy Dolphin, adviser of the ISU Committee Against Violence, said although the committee does not support particular pieces of legislation, she was personally in favor of any legislation that “would give women freedom from fear and ultimately eliminate rape.”