
The statute of limitations for civil child sexual assault cases varies by state. To find the statute of limitations for your state, you can research your state’s laws or call the office of a child sexual assault lawyer at Pintas & Mullins Law Firm to discuss the details of your case.
About the Statute of Limitations for Child Sexual Assault
The statute of limitations refers to the amount of time an individual has to file a lawsuit. Statutes of limitations vary by state and by the type of case to which they refer.
The statute of limitations for child sexual assault cases is often more complicated given the victims in such cases are minors. In many cases, states will toll the statute of limitations until the victim turns 18. Other states toll the statute of limitations until the discovery of the incident. And still other states set no statute of limitations for child sexual assault cases.
The statute of limitations for your stay may fall within similar parameters, or it may depend on entirely different guidelines.
Defining Child Sexual Abuse and Assault
The World Health Organization (WHO) defines child sexual abuse as any sexual activity involving a child that he or she doesn’t understand and cannot consent to. Sexual abuse usually involves sexual activity between a child and an adult, but in certain circumstances a child can be accused of sexually abusing another child. Sexual abuse includes, but is not limited to, rape, incest, prostitution, pornography, or any other type of physical or emotional mistreatment of children.
According to an article published by Child and Adolescent Psychiatric Clinics of North America, sexual abuse and exploitation of children knows no boundaries. It affects both boys and girls, regardless of their nationality, cultural background, or geographic location.
Offenders can be strangers as well as family members, friends, and even adults entrusted to care for children, such as teachers and members of the clergy.
If you, your child, or a loved one has suffered from child sexual abuse, a lawyer can help you determine the statute of limitations in your state and discuss your legal options. Even if you are an adult, but you suffered the abuse as a child, you may still be able to file a sexual assault case depending on your state’s statute of limitations.
Call to Schedule a Free Consultation
Call the Pintas & Mullins Law Firm at (800) 219-9622 for a supportive, confidential, and free consultation to discuss your potential civil child sexual assault case.
We can answer any questions that you may have about how the statute of limitations in your state will impact your case. Even if you fear that too much time has passed to pursue legal action against the person or institution responsible, it could still be worth it to discuss what happened with a child sexual assault attorney. There might still be ways that we can help.