Cuomo Signs Bill Extending Statute Of Limitations For Rape

NEW YORK (AP) — New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has signed a bill extending the statute of limitations for second and third-degree rape.

The Democratic governor was joined by actresses Mira Sorvino and Julianne Moore as well as activists from the group Time's Up as he signed the measure at his Manhattan office Wednesday.

The new law extends the statute of limitations from five years to 20 years for second-degree rape and from five years to 10 years for third-degree rape. Second and third-degree rape can be charged under New York law when a victim cannot consent to sex either because of age or incapacity.

Sorvino has spoken before about being a survivor of date rape. She said every time someone stands up to "rape culture" it means "we stand up for all of us."