Yes, it is called the "statute of limitations". Most crimes have a time limit for the bringing of charges or they "magically go away". The Catholic church was an expert at stringing along molestation victims with promises and stories, and giving them counseling until the day the statute of limitations hit - then they simply ignored and threatened the victims with the exact same threat that Wyrd of Gawd is giving: "No one will believe you now after all these years. Go away."
