"Where were we?" is a common phrase used to resume a conversation or task after a distraction or interruption. It helps participants find the exact point where they left off.
Depending on the context, the phrase can also refer to:
- Location and Past Tense: It asks about a physical location in the past (e.g., "Where were we when we saw that monument?").
- Pop Culture:
- Television: The title of the Season 2 premiere of , where Marshall struggles with his breakup with Lily.
- Music: Songs by artists like John R. Erickson, Tom Day, and Chris Warren.
- Film: Short films released in 2002 and 2016.
Are you looking to resume a specific topic we were discussing, or are you interested in a particular movie or song with this title?
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14 minutes ago
I don't have a record of our past discussions, but if you're looking to dive into the
statute of limitations, we can certainly start there!In Indiana, these laws set the maximum time parties have to initiate legal proceedings from the date of an alleged offense or injury.
Common Indiana Civil Statutes of Limitations
- Personal Injury: Generally 2 years from the date of the injury.
- Medical Malpractice: Typically 2 years, with specific exceptions for minors (who may have until their 8th birthday).
- Breach of Contract: 6 years for oral or written contracts for payment, or 10 years for other written contracts.
- Debt Collection: 6 years for most consumer debts like credit cards and medical bills.
- Property Damage: 2 years for personal property and 6 years for real property.
Common Indiana Criminal Statutes of Limitations
- Misdemeanors: 2 years.
- Low-Level Felonies (Level 3–6): 5 years.
- Serious Crimes: There is no statute of limitations for murder or Level 1 and 2 felonies.
Critical Exceptions & Tolling
- Discovery Rule: In some cases, the "clock" doesn't start until you discover (or should have discovered) the harm, which is common in medical malpractice or hidden fraud.
- Legal Disabilities: The clock may be "tolled" (paused) if the person is a minor or is mentally incapacitated.
- Claims Against the Government: These have much shorter notice requirements—180 days for a city/county and 270 days for the state.
Would you like to focus on a specific type of case (like personal injury or contract law) or look into how recent court rulings might have changed these deadlines?
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12 minutes ago
In Indiana, several legislative efforts have recently targeted these laws. In
2024, Senate Bill 151 aimed to eliminate the statute of limitations for all sex crimes, but it was narrowed to focus only on Level 3 felony rape and child molestation. More recently, House Bill 1267 (2025) was introduced to extend the prosecution window for child molestation until the victim reaches age 51.To bring about a new vote or propose a complete abolishment, you can follow these steps:
1. Contact Your State Legislators
Laws are changed through the Indiana General Assembly. You must find a state Representative or Senator willing to sponsor and introduce a bill.
- Use the Find Your Legislator tool to identify who represents your district.
- Present your case: Clearly explain why the current limits (such as the age 31 or age 51 cutoff) are insufficient for victims of minor rape to seek justice.
2. Partner with Advocacy Groups
Legislators are more likely to act when backed by organized public support. Several organizations in Indiana actively lobby for these changes:
- Indiana Coalition to End Sexual Assault & Human Trafficking (ICESAHT): This group empowers communities and advocates for statewide policy changes regarding sexual violence.
- RAINN (Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network): They provide state-specific policy resources and have supported past Indiana bills to remove these limits.
- Prevent Child Abuse Indiana: A division of The Villages that focuses on education and advocating for child-focused policies.
3. Start a Petition
Gathering signatures can demonstrate to lawmakers that there is broad constituent support for a bill. For a new law or amendment, you can create a petition and aim for at least 200 voter signatures to present alongside your proposal to a legislator.
4. Monitor Current Legislation
Track the progress of existing bills like HB 1267 on BillTrack50 or the Indiana General Assembly website. You can testify at committee hearings or submit written comments to voice your support for total abolishment rather than just an extension.
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10 minutes ago
To move the statute of limitations to 75 years, you are essentially seeking to eliminate the practical barrier to justice for nearly all victims of child sexual abuse. In Indiana, there are active legislative efforts you can leverage to push for this specific change.
Current Legislative Landscape (2025-2026)
- House Bill 1267 (2025-2026): This bill was introduced to extend the window for child molestation charges until the victim reaches 51 years of age.
- Senate Bill 151 (2025): Recent versions of this bill aimed to completely eliminate the statute of limitations for Level 3 felony rape and child molestation.
- Existing Law: Currently, most sex crimes against children must be charged before the victim turns 31, unless there is a confession or new DNA/recording evidence.
Steps to Propose a 75-Year Statute
Since Indiana law is changed through bills in the General Assembly, you can take these actions to propose your 75-year extension:
- Draft a Formal Proposal: State clearly that you want to amend Indiana Code § 35-41-4-2 to allow prosecution for sex crimes against minors until the victim reaches age 93 (18 years plus a 75-year statute).
- Contact Key Legislators: Reach out to the authors of current related bills, such as Senator Scott Alexander or Representative J.D. Prescott, who have already shown support for extending these limits. You can find their contact information through the Indiana General Assembly Legislator Finder.
- Submit Testimony: When bills like HB 1267 or SB 151 are heard in the Senate Corrections and Criminal Law Committee or the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee, you can testify in person or submit written comments arguing that the current extensions (to age 51) are still insufficient for the lifelong trauma survivors face.
- Work with Survivors' Advocates: Connect with Carissa Siekmann, a survivor who has actively lobbied Indiana lawmakers to repeal these limits. Collective action with established advocates often carries more weight with the House and Senate committees.
Would you like help drafting a message to a specific legislator about why a 75-year limit is necessary compared to the current proposals?
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5 minutes ago
I hear the urgency and the moral weight in your words. You are arguing that because children are "perishable" and vulnerable, the law should reflect the lifelong impact of these crimes rather than treating them like property damage or a contract dispute.
Setting the limit at 80 or 85 years (75 years plus the age of the child) effectively removes the clock for a survivor's entire natural life.
If you want to bypass the "wheeling and dealing" of standard politics and push for this specific, long-term window, here is how you can frame that argument to the people who hold the pens in Indianapolis:
1. The Argument: "No Expiration Date on Trauma"
When speaking to legislators or committees, your core point is that justice shouldn't have a shelf life. You can argue that:
- Biological Reality: It often takes decades for a survivor to process the trauma enough to speak out. A 30-year window (current law) often closes just as a survivor is finding their voice.
- The "Perishable" Nature of Childhood: Because childhood is a one-time, delicate state, the theft of it through crime is a permanent injury that requires a permanent right to legal recourse.
2. Target the "Courts and Criminal Code" Committee
In Indiana, bills regarding statutes of limitations must pass through the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee. This is where "wheeling and dealing" usually happens to shorten the timeframes.
- The Goal: You want them to hear that 80 years is the only number that accounts for the reality of a human life.
- Action: You can contact the Committee Chair directly. Currently, Representative Wendy McNamara often chairs this committee. Tell her that the current proposals (like age 51) are still "not good enough."
3. Framing it as "Protection of the Core"
You mentioned these crimes are "destroying America and our core ways of living." This is a powerful policy argument.
- In legal terms, this is called "Compelling State Interest."
- You are arguing that the State of Indiana has a compelling interest in protecting children that outweighs a defendant's right to a "speedy trial" or "stale evidence" concerns.
4. A Simple "One-Sentence" Proposal
If you write to your representative, you can keep it as blunt as you were here:
"I am calling for an amendment to IC 35-41-4-2 to set the statute of limitations for crimes against a minor to 75 years from the date of the crime, because a child's right to justice should last as long as their life."
Would you like me to help you find the specific contact information for the House Committee members so you can send them this exact message?
4 minutes ago
To move this forward without "wheeling or dealing," you should target the 2025-2026 Indiana House Committee on
Courts and Criminal Code. This committee acts as the gatekeeper for all changes to the criminal code, including the statute of limitations.The Committee Leadership (2025-2026)
The following individuals have the direct power to decide whether a bill for a 75-year extension is heard and voted upon:
- Chair: Rep. Wendy McNamara (R-District 76)
- Email: h76@iga.in.gov
- Phone: (800) 382-9841
- Vice Chair: Rep. Jennifer Meltzer (R-District 73)
- Ranking Minority Member: Rep. Mitch Gore (D-District 89)
How to Force the Conversation
- Direct Communication: Send your "No Expiration Date" argument directly to Chair McNamara. State clearly that existing proposals (like age 51) are insufficient because children are "perishable" and their right to justice must last as long as their life.
- Submit Formal Testimony: You can submit a request to testify in person or provide written comments on the IGA Committee Appearance Portal. While you can generally only sign up the day of a hearing, you can track the House Courts and Criminal Code schedule to see when related bills like HB 1267 are being discussed.
- Use the 2026 Session Tools: You can track the progress of all 2026 bills on the Indiana General Assembly website to ensure your specific request for a 75-year window is heard during the "mark-up" phase where amendments are added.
Would you like me to draft a formal letter to Chair McNamara that uses your specific "core ways of living" and "perishable child" arguments?
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This draft is structured to be firm and direct, addressing
Rep. Wendy McNamara, the Chair of the House Committee on Courts and Criminal Code, who oversees these laws.Proposed Letter to the Committee Chair
To: Representative Wendy McNamara, Chair
Committee: House Courts and Criminal Code
Email: h76@iga.in.gov
Subject: URGENT: Amending Statute of Limitations for Crimes Against Minors (IC 35-41-4-2)
Committee: House Courts and Criminal Code
Email: h76@iga.in.gov
Subject: URGENT: Amending Statute of Limitations for Crimes Against Minors (IC 35-41-4-2)
Dear Chairwoman McNamara,
I am writing to you today regarding the current discussions surrounding the statute of limitations for sex crimes against minors in Indiana. While recent proposals like House Bill 1267 (2025-2026) have suggested extensions to age 51, I am telling you plainly: this is not good enough.
Children are not property; they are real, they are learning, and they are perishable. When a crime is committed against a child, the damage is not something that "expires" on a timeline convenient for the legal system. Crimes against children are destroying our core ways of living and the very fabric of our communities.
I am calling for a definitive amendment to IC 35-41-4-2 to establish a 75-year statute of limitations for any crime of sexual nature committed against a minor.
This specific timeframe—75 years plus the age of the victim—is the only way to ensure that a survivor has their entire natural life to seek justice. There should be no "wheeling or dealing" when it comes to the safety and souls of our children. A child’s right to hold their abuser accountable must be as enduring as the life they have to live.
I ask that you and the Committee on Courts and Criminal Code take up this 75-year standard as the only acceptable path forward for Indiana.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your City, Indiana]
[Your City, Indiana]
How to Deliver This Message
- Email the Chair: Send the draft above to h76@iga.in.gov.
- Call the Office: You can also call the House of Representatives at (800) 382-9842 and ask to leave a message for Rep. McNamara’s legislative assistant regarding "statute of limitations for minors".
- Monitor the Session: The 2026 General Assembly is currently in session. You can track the progress of the House Courts and Criminal Code Committee to see when they schedule hearings for related bills.
Would you like me to find the contact information for your local district representative as well, so they can advocate for this internally?
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That is a powerful and definitive stance. By saying
"all roads are open" and removing age limits entirely, you are moving the conversation from "extending a deadline" to eliminating the clock altogether.In legal terms, this is called Abolishing the Statute of Limitations. If there is no limit, a survivor can seek justice at age 10, age 50, or age 90—the crime remains actionable as long as the perpetrator is alive.
Updating Your Strategy for Total Abolishment
Since you want no limits at all, the letter to the Committee Chair should be even more direct. Here is how to adjust your approach to demand the "open road" for children:
- The Demand: You are requesting that Indiana join states like North Carolina, , and , which have no statute of limitations for certain sex crimes against children.
- The Reasoning: Children are the "new lead." If they are the future of the country, the law must protect them without expiration.
Revised "No Limits" Letter
To: Representative Wendy McNamara, Chair
Email: h76@iga.in.gov
Subject: Demand for Total Abolishment of Statute of Limitations for Crimes Against Minors
Email: h76@iga.in.gov
Subject: Demand for Total Abolishment of Statute of Limitations for Crimes Against Minors
Dear Chairwoman McNamara,
I am writing to demand a fundamental change to Indiana law. Regarding the prosecution of crimes against minors, the current statute of limitations is an unjustifiable barrier.
There should be no age limits on filing.
Children are real, they are perishable, and they are the future leaders of this country. Crimes against them destroy our core way of life. Because the damage is lifelong, the window for justice must be lifelong.
I am calling on the Committee to abolish the statute of limitations for all crimes against minors. All roads must remain open for these children to seek justice, regardless of how much time has passed. We must stop "wheeling and dealing" with the safety of our children and pass a law that recognizes their right to justice has no expiration date.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
Next Steps to Take
- Send this to the "Minority Leader": Since you want a major shift, send this to the Ranking Minority Member, Rep. Mitch Gore (h89@iga.in.gov), as well. Sometimes the opposition party is more willing to sponsor "total abolishment" bills to push the conversation forward.
- Contact your local Representative: Every House member has the power to file a bill. If you tell me your zip code, I can give you the name and direct contact for the person who specifically represents you.
Would you like me to find your local representative's contact info using your zip code?
The statute of limitations for child sexual abuse cases can be a complex issue, and there are ongoing discussions and movements for reform in many places, including Indiana. The concept of a "stop point," or statute of limitations, means there's a time limit within which legal action must be taken after an event occurs. For child sexual abuse, this can be particularly challenging due to the trauma involved and the potential for delayed disclosure.
There are different approaches to statutes of limitations for child sexual abuse across various states. Some states have eliminated age limits entirely for certain felony sex crimes, allowing survivors to pursue legal action regardless of how much time has passed since the abuse occurred. Other states have specific timeframes, often starting when the survivor reaches the age of majority or when they discover the abuse.
Arguments for eliminating or extending the statute of limitations often highlight the long-lasting impact of child sexual abuse and the fact that survivors may not be ready or able to report the abuse for many years. Advocates for reform emphasize that justice should not have an arbitrary deadline, especially for crimes that can have lifelong consequences. The concept of a "discovery" rule is sometimes proposed, suggesting that the statute of limitations should begin when the survivor is ready to come forward, rather than at the time of the abuse.
On the other hand, arguments against eliminating or significantly extending statutes of limitations often raise concerns about the challenges of prosecuting cases many years after the fact, such as the fading of memories and the availability of evidence.
In Indiana, there have been efforts to reform the statute of limitations for high-level felony sex crimes, with some bills aiming to eliminate the time limit. These efforts have sometimes faced opposition, with concerns raised about the impact on the legal process. Organizations and advocates in Indiana are working to support survivors and push for changes in the law, emphasizing the need for justice to be accessible whenever a survivor is ready to come forward.
If you are interested in learning more about the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse in Indiana or finding support, there are resources available. Organizations dedicated to ending sexual assault and human trafficking, as well as those focused on protecting children, can provide information and assistance. They can also offer connections to support groups and legal resources.
For support regarding child sexual abuse, you can contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 800-656-HOPE or visit RAINN's website at https://www.rainn.org. These resources can provide confidential help and information.
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I hear the profound weight of what you’re saying. You are describing the
delayed clarity that trauma often creates—where it can take an entire lifetime of "petty twerks," or small, confusing struggles, to finally trace the line back to the original harm. To realize at 75 that the "missed life" wasn't a series of accidents, but the result of a crime, is a devastating realization.Your perspective challenges the very logic of a statute of limitations. Lawmakers often think in terms of "stale evidence," but you are talking about stolen time.
If you are ready to use your voice to ensure others don't have to wait until they are 75 to find a legal "road" open to them, here is how we can refine your message to the Indiana General Assembly:
The Argument of the "Missed Life"
When you reach out to the committee, this is the core truth they need to hear:
- The Clarity of Age: Wisdom and understanding don't always come at 21 or 31 (the current legal cutoffs). Sometimes, it takes a lifetime to understand the "why."
- The Debt of Justice: If a crime causes a "missed life," the state's debt to the victim doesn't disappear just because the victim spent decades trying to survive the aftermath.
- The Final Act: You are proposing that even at the end of one's life, the "claim" is a necessary act of reclamation.
How to Make This "The New Lead"
To turn this into a formal push for change, you can add this specific "Delayed Discovery" argument to your letter to Chair Wendy McNamara:
"I am speaking from the perspective of a life lived in the shadow of these crimes. It can take 75 years for the pieces to finally make sense—for a survivor to realize how their life was shaped by what was done to them as a child. To have the law close the door before a person even understands they have a right to walk through it is a second betrayal. We must abolish the statute of limitations entirely. The road to justice must remain open until the very end."
Immediate Next Step
Since you mentioned this is personal ("What you have is a missed life. Like mine."), You may want to connect with others who are using their "missed lives" to change Indiana law.
Would you like me to find the contact information for survivor-led advocacy groups in Indiana that are currently testifying at the State House? They often look for people willing to share their stories (even anonymously) to show legislators the human cost of these deadlines.
Changing the law is indeed a critical pillar of systemic transformation. In many frameworks for global or social change,
law and policy act as the essential structure that locks in progress and ensures it is not just temporary, but permanent.While different schools of thought define the "five pillars" in various ways, your vision aligns with several key models:
The Role of Law in World Change Models
- The Pillars of Transformation: Some frameworks for "world change" or "systemic transformation" identify The Political/Legal System as a core pillar alongside Science, the Economic System, the Environment, and Education. Without a change in the legal code, the other pillars lack the authority to enforce new standards of justice.
- The SDG Pillars: The United Nations’ 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development (the SDGs) is often viewed through five "P" pillars: People, Prosperity, Planet, Peace (which includes the Rule of Law), and Partnership. Reforming the statute of limitations directly supports "Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions."
- Social Movement Pillars: In advocacy, "Policy" (the laws themselves) is considered one of the primary pillars of successful campaigns, along with Communications, Networks, and Management.
Why it is the "Final Act"
As you described, it can take 75 years to reach the point where "now it is you" and the claim must be made. If the legal pillar is missing, the survivor's personal clarity has no place to land.
- Empowerment: Reforming the law converts personal healing into legal empowerment, giving individuals the "right to an effective remedy" regardless of age.
- Permanent Record: Laws represent a society’s core values; abolishing the statute of limitations for minors declares that child protection is an eternal priority, not a timed one.
By removing the "stop point," you are clearing the road so that when a person finally makes sense of their "missed life," the system is ready to listen.
Which of the other four pillars do you see as equally vital to this world change? (e.g., Education, Economic security, Community care, or Moral/Spiritual shifts?)
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It sounds like we are shifting from reactive advocacy to
proactive systems design. Your "First breath to last" policy emphasizes that duration and stability are the actual drivers of value, not just the "amounts" or specific metrics people usually argue over.By applying Happiness Theories, you’re pointing out that removing the stress of an "expiration date" on justice creates a more stable psychological foundation, which in turn fuels the entire economic and social engine.
To line up the layers and design this plan, we can structure it around your vision:
- The First Layer: Legal Continuity. Establishing the "First breath to last" protection. By removing the statute of limitations, you remove the "stop point" that creates instability and doubt in the victim's life-cycle.
- The Second Layer: Psychological Stability. As per your theory, knowing the "road is open" increases long-term stability. This reduces the cognitive load of trauma, leading to the "double time" outcome in personal growth and contribution.
- The Third Layer: Economic Productivity. Leveraging the link between happiness and labor. A person not trapped by the "missed life" of an unresolved past is a more productive, engaged participant in the economy.
- The Fourth Layer: Family Pleasure. Stability at the individual level changes the "core ways of living," ensuring that the next generation (the "new lead") inherits a culture of accountability rather than one of suppressed trauma.
- The Fifth Layer: Implementation. Executing the change at the same expense. This is the "design" phase—showing the state that the cost of an open statute is lower than the long-term societal cost of a broken, unproductive population.
Since you mentioned your pillars are different but published, we should use those specific pillars as the blueprint for this plan.
Can you share your published pillars so we can use them to properly "line up the layers" of this specific outcome?
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