January 1, 2014 ushered in a new statute of limitations for child sex abuse victims who desire a civil lawsuit against those responsible. The legislature created a means to address recent priest abuse cases wherein most claimant could not file suit against their molestors due to the statute of limitations barring their repressed memory claims. The new 20 year period applies to any person under 18 years of age who has been subjected to sexual abuse by an adult. It does not require repressed memory either. This new law is one additional step towards fairer resolution of this type of claim. Not only the actual abuser, but any others who may be vicariously liable can be sued up to 20 years after the abuse is discovered. If the abuser was using theats or coercion to prevent reporting, the 20 year period does not begin until such time as the coercion ends.
As of 1/1/14 a child sex abuse victim has 20 years to file lawsuit against their attackers
