‘Jenny’s Law’ signed by governor

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) – Among the bills the governor signed on Wednesday, the bill called “Jenny’s Law.”

It’s named after Jenny Wendt, a survivor of rape, who has been working with other survivors to change Indiana’s statute of limitations for rape.

Wendt was attacked by her former IUPUI teaching assistant in 2005. In January 2014, a man came forward to confess to the crime, but he couldn’t be charged because the five-year statute of limitations in Indiana had already passed.

Senator Michael Crider, R-Greenfield, introduced legislation this session that allows police to charge someone with rape after the five year statute of limitations, if “(1) the state first discovers DNA evidence sufficient to charge the offender, (2) the state first becomes aware of the existence of a recording that provides evidence sufficient to charge the offender; or (3) a person confesses to the offense.”

The Governor signed that bill into law Wednesday. Wendt says Wednesday, April 29, marked ten years since the attack.

“I have always said everything happens for a reason and timing is everything,” Wendt told 24-Hour News 8. “I believe it was no coincidence at all Jenny’s Law was signed on April 29. I believe that this law will prosecute more perpetrators. This will only lead to more people reporting assaults due to justice being served.”

Wendt said she wanted to thank Senator Crider and others who supported them. She said Governor Pence personally called her Wednesday, and added she’ll never forget that conversation.