Discovering the strength to speak out about childhood abuse can take years, even decades. Many survivors are left wondering if it’s too late to seek justice for what they endured so long ago. The good news is that changes in the law have made it possible for many people to file claims even after significant time has passed. Understanding your rights is the first step towards finding the accountability and closure you deserve.
Your options
In the past, strict statutes of limitation often made it impossible for survivors to take legal action if too much time had passed since the abuse. These laws were based on the belief that evidence fades and memories become less reliable over time. However, they failed to recognize the lasting effects of trauma, which often prevent survivors from speaking out until much later in life. Many people spend years, even decades, processing what happened to them before feeling ready to seek justice.
Recognizing this, many states have reformed their laws to give survivors more time and opportunities to file claims. Whether you can still sue often depends on the specific laws in the state where the abuse occurred and the details of your case. Some states have extended the time limits significantly, allowing lawsuits to be filed well into adulthood. For example, in Oregon, the statute of limitations is normally two years from the date of the incident. In child sexual abuse cases, the law gives survivors extra time, meaning:
- You can file a lawsuit until your 40th birthday, regardless of when the abuse happened
- Alternatively, if you only recently realized that your emotions or psychological injuries were connected to the abuse, you have five years from the date you made that discovery, even if you’re already over 40.
Other states have created “lookback windows”, which are special periods where survivors can file claims even if the original legal deadline passed long ago.
If you have experienced childhood sexual abuse, it’s important to reach out to someone who understands the challenges survivors face and can help guide you through your options. Speaking with an experienced legal counselor can help you understand your rights, and whether you still have legal options. Even if the abuse happened decades ago, there may still be a path forward towards accountability, closure and healing.